"We will continue from here". I said, motioning to the doctor. He has done his part. Now was my turn, to take my mother home. "Mother, can we just get home first please ". She looked at me, with doubt on her face, before nodding her head. I wonder what her problem was.
"You mean $20000 and you were able to provide it within days, Nora, come on tell me where did you get such an amount of money from? Who gave you that money? We don't have rich families or friends. So tell me, how is this possible? Or did you...."
Oh, mother, please stop. You are just coming back from the hospital and you need to rest and not talk. If you continue like this, this might affect you even more". I caught her off before she could finish whatever sentence she wanted to say. "Nolan, what happened while I was in the hospital?". She turn to Nolan, who was on her side, knowing that she was not going to get answers from me. I passed a glance at Nolan indicating that he shouldn't dare say exactly where the money came from. It's not like I know where the money came from either. However, he shouldn't.
"Uhmm, mother! Me and Nora were able to gather some money from outside and now, please do not talk about the money. You have to rest. Thank God that you're alive?". Brilliant. I was not expecting that. Such a sweet liar. "Exactly mother!. Have some rest and I will make your favorite dish". I told her and excuse myself from their midst and go directly to the kitchen.
**
My mother has been in the house now, for almost a week and I'm glad that she was responding to treatment and that her health was getting steady. I'm more thankful for the fact that; she was able to let go of where we got the money from. I was not ready to start explaining something I know nothing about.
"I'm going to work now, mother. See you when I get back" she was sitting at the dinner table, eating some eggs and noodles I made for her. Bottles of medicine could be seen around her. I placed light kisses on both sides of her cheeks and turned to walk out of the door when Nolan spoke. "Have a nice day Nora and do take care". I smiled and waved a bye at him before finally living the house.
"How is your mother doing now?" Ms . Madalyn asked immediately I turn behind the counter to keep my bag and get my work apron. "She is fine Madam". I told her while adjusting the white apron on my body. I turn to the side and grab the white cap which Lilian was extending to me and place it over my head. I was now ready for work. "Hand this over to the fifth table". Lilian shoved a tray of toast, with some salad and green vegetables on the side containing a bottle of water too. I took it and made my way inside the restaurant. The table was made up of a man, having a pot belly, and a bald head. Putting on a sky blue long-sleeved shirt. The blonde woman sitting next to him, with pink lipstick which did not compensate for her red skin, as she kept looking at me with a frown on her face. Well, not like I cared. I placed down their orders and left.
"Oh!, Nora, you're here!. You did not tell me all about what I asked you yesterday". Bella ran towards me and almost pushed me to the floor, with her heavy weight. I rolled my eyes, not wanting to engage in a conversation with her. She is bad news. Always looking for something to gossip about and sadly enough I'm not a gossip. "I have nothing to tell you, Bella, why don't you focus on yourself and let me be. You should go and work. Customers are waiting. Come, go on". I tell her, looking around the restaurant. She did even budge, she stood in front of me, with her short brown hair, falling down her face. I wonder what prompted her to go shave her hair. She had piercings on both of her ears and another under her thick bottom lip. You could compare it to, that of a pig.
She crossed her arms in front of me, which only meant one thing. She was not going to leave until I told her. She must be insane.
"Of course, you do have. Or tell me, where did you get money for your mother's operation because we both know that you are too poor to have such an amount of money". She tells me right into my face. I clenched my teeth, my hands in a fist. Right now, I was controlling myself not to act irrationally. I never looked for trouble and I don't know why it wouldn't leave me alone.
"Say something Nora, or, did you perhaps steal the money or..." she funnily pouts her lips and looks around the restaurant, before looking back at me.
"Or did you sleep with someone to make them give you....". I didn't know when I lifted my hand and gave her a resonating slap. All I could see was her with her hands on the spot where I had slapped her. She looked at me with wide eyes. What was she thinking; that I was going to let her go free as the other times, then she lied. I'm not a people pleaser.
"Did you just slap me, Nora?". She asked, pointing to her cheeks. And this time, people's eyes were already in our direction and could hear Ms. Madalyn's voice.
"What in the world is going on here? You two are fighting in my restaurant?". I didn't bother to respond to her, rather I fixed my attention on Bella. She started it and I'm going to give it to her.