The duo went back home after their short meeting with the now deceased, of course, it was emotional for the ladies, but, as they started to acknowledge, they needed to live for themselves.
Audrey was in her last year of high school when her father died, she was someone who always questioned the fake social life in high school. For someone who didn't speak much, she was observant of things that happened around her.
She believed high school was a bunch of people who lived fake lives because they were afraid of their real selves. She never bothered to make friends, so she was seen as the quiet nerd, who watched in silence in the backseat.
She was one of the smartest so she preferred keeping to herself. She was really happy to finally leave the school the same year because she doubted she would continue with what she thought to be shenanigans.
Days passed after Mr. Smith's death and finally, Georgia decided to branch at his former workplace to settle the collection of the pension plan. On her way to his workplace, Georgia was nostalgic as she recalled the memories she shared with her husband in the same place.
All the times she would come from her workplace to walk home together, enjoying the silence as they held hands. Brushing off the thought, Georgia brushed the thought as she went up the building to see the director.
She hoped the director would be able to grant the pension plan because other than that, she didn't have any other plan concerning her daughter's tertiary education. After knocking twice, she heard an affirmation to come in, "Good evening Mr. Gregory", "Ahh, welcome Mrs. Smith, please take a seat", the director pointed to one of the chairs in front of his desk.
"Thank you sir" Georgia said pulling the chair to make her seating look more formal, " First, my condolences, I am so sorry I couldn't attend, but I'm glad some of the employees could attend. I know why you came here though, I've heard word from some of them, the pension, am I correct?" Mr Gregory asked before Georgia continued," Yes sir, I plan to use the amount to send my daughter to college".
" I know and that is why I hate to be the bearer of bad news, the pension might have to be delayed because we have some financial problems in the company" he paused as if studying her facial expression before he continued," you see, an employee ran off with a heavy amount".
"That's quite unfortunate" Georgia said already feeling like life was squeezed out of her. " I hope you can understand the situation of the company, here please write your contact details so I can update you", the director said, pushing a piece of paper and a pen in front of her.
Pulling the piece of paper and pen towards herself, she wrote her contact details, as if sensing her downcast mood, he said, " please bear with us, the pension plan is delayed, not canceled, I'll be sure to contact you".
Mrs. Smith saw some people she was familiar with on her way out of the building and she exchanged pleasantries with them.
She was fighting an internal war within herself, a war between her rationality and her love for her daughter. After several hours she decided to tell her daughter when she came back from her babysitting job
When Audrey came back from work, she had a bad feeling about the news she would break to her, as she was aware her mother had gone to see Mr. Gregory on her way back from work.
"The pension's been delayed" Georgia said in an attempt to break the news as possible. She hated the fact that she had to break such sullen news to her daughter because that only meant they wouldn't be able to afford her college fees.
The duo continued their conversation," so mom you mean, it's been delayed?", " Yes honey, but that doesn't mean we rely on it, alright?", " yes mom. Audrey's graduation was soon coming up and Georgia started making preparations because she didn't want her daughter to feel left out.
Audrey's graduation was now two days away, it was a pity her father couldn't be there to take pictures with her on a special day, she didn't want that to spoil her mood so she just carried on with her preparations.
As the graduation day was soon approaching, she went to get her nails done and her hair. Of course, they had prom, but she didn't go because she wasn't interested. The ceremony's theme was black and silver, and Audrey was surprised to see how gallant everyone looked.
Being the antisocial one in the whole year, Audrey had no one to talk to, so throughout the whole ceremony, she had no classmate to talk to. She wasn't sad though, she was quite happy, because, that was her preference.
She received gifts like the best graduating student of the year and the best in some subjects. She didn't have quite the ovation because people wondered who she was.
All this wasn't important to Aubrey as it was something she loved. On their way back home, Georgia got an anonymous phone call, picking up the call, her mood took a 360 degrees change. Seeing this, like her mother's wide smile was an infection, she also started smiling.
"The director just called honey, the pension plan was granted, you'll finally be able to go to college!!!!!", both ladies could only contain their joy as they were on the bus.
When they alighted, Audrey grabbed her mother and wrapped her in a tight hug, pulling away quickly she said," mom I'm going to college!!!".Both women were happy it was successful, especially Aubrey who had wanted to delete the letter she had received from the University she applied to, confirming her application. Now she could go to college, she had a wide smile plastered on her face at the mere thought.