At the Dinner Table
The couple was at the dining table when George, their successor, and Benson Owens, Evans' nephew, joined them.
“Good evening, mom and dad,” they greeted one after the other.
“Good evening, George and Benson,” the couple responded simultaneously. Now they were seated, and George looked at his grandmother, who was sitting opposite him. Then George spoke, “Welcome once again, grandma. Unfortunately, I could not get your stuff. I searched for it in the suburbs, but was not lucky.”
“Did you search for it too?” His mother asked at once.
“Yes, mom. I got back from work earlier and met her, and I decided to drive around and get her food.”
“That is thoughtful of you, George, I did the same thing, but my search was fruitless.”
“It's okay. I will make do with what I have. Thank you for your efforts,” grandma responded. Thereafter, they had their dinner silently.
The Next day.
Just as Mrs. Owens was thinking of pacifying Rose, she was also thinking of how to quell her anger and disappointment. Although, Mrs. Owens was unnecessarily angry, but she did not hold it against her. She was conversant with the stress of managing an ailment. After she closed her shop that evening, she bought some plantains, and when she got home, she prepared it just the way she did for her late mother. Although, it was stressful, but because of her determination to placate her mother's look alike and client, she was unperturbed.
“I pray that she comes around today,” she wished while leaving her house in the morning. Based on her school timetable for that day, she had to go to her shop, and open for some sales before she would leave for school. Subsequently, she returned to her shop after her lectures for that day. Not long, Mrs. Owens, who just got off work, arrived, and she was happy to see her.
“Good day, madam,” she greeted cheerfully. Now, Sarah was surprised at the warm smile on her face. She expected to see a hostile or withdrawn sales girl. To daze her further, she announced, “Here we are, ma'am,” she declared, and showed her the stuff.
“The unripe plantago you requested for yesterday,” she explained.
Now, Sarah was excited. She stretched out her hand, and asked, “How come you have it today? Yesterday, you said you don’t sell it and today…”
“You are right, ma'am. I took the pain to prepare it for you,” Rose interrupted.
“Oh! Really, why the pain?” Sarah, who had collected the packs from her, asked calmly.
Now, tears had gathered in Rose's eyes, and she tried to fight them back.
“Never mind, ma'am, just have them,” she sobbed. Suddenly, a customer walked in, and she hurriedly attended to him while Sarah observed her calm mien.
“What’s the problem? I hope I have not caused you pain?” She inquired with concern after the customer left.
“Not at all, ma'am. It's just that you remind me of my mother. Just have them, and have a nice day,” Rose declared, and dried the tears that flowed down her cheeks with her palms. Now, Sarah, who came to apologize to her, was distraught. She thought that she was upset because she was hard on her the previous day. Likewise, she apologized at once, “I apologize for being hard on you yesterday, my dear. I hope you understand.”
Now, Rose was impressed by her level of humility. She looked into her eyes with delight, and stopped her, “Not at all, ma'am. You were not hard on me. I could feel your disappointment, ma'am.”
Now, Sarah was transfixed. She wondered why a girl, who ought to be offended by her, would go out of her way to be courteous to her.
“It is okay. I'm glad that you understand.”
“Consider it as nothing, ma'am.”
“By the way, what is my bill?” She asked. Now, Rose locked eyes with her in astonishment, and made clear, “You have not made any purchase. Which bill are you talking about?”
Nevertheless, Sarah looked at the stuff in her hand, before she faced her, and responded, “I am talking about the bill for the flour.”
“Oh!” She exclaimed, and stated, “Never mind. It's from me to you.”
“Oh! My God. I'm grateful for this. Let me run along,” she announced, and happily walked out.
“Have a pleasant evening, ma'am,” Rose greeted, and concentrated on her studies.
“What a nice girl,” Sarah mombled after she took her seat in the car, and looked at the shop again.
“Let's go,” she ordered her driver.
A Week Later
Sarah was delighted to have the flour which had stabilized her mother's health. Now, her mother was ready to return to her native home, and she needed to give her enough. To patronize Rose, she decided to contact her to do that. Subsequently, she paid her a visit.
At the Suburb
It was a few weeks for her to leave for her internship, yet, she was undecided about her shop. Locking it up until further notice would not have been a problem if she had other means of meeting her needs.
“Life! How will I cope?” She bewailed. Nevertheless, destiny gave her the answer to the question at once. Instantly, Mrs. Owen walked in contentedly, and called out, “Hello, young girl.”
Now, the moody Rose looked up, and cheered up when her eyes fell on the visitor.
“Good day ma'am. I'm delighted to see you again,” she greeted.
“Good day, my dear. I'm delighted to see you, too. Thank you so much for your gift the other day.”
“You are welcome. I hope you love it?”
“Certainly, and that is why I have come for more.”
“That won't be a problem, but you would give me days to put it together.”
“You don't need to worry about that. I will need it three days from now.”
“That's good,” Rose accepted merrily. Nevertheless, she cast a concerned look at Sarah, who was trying to make payment for the stuff with her phone, and inquired, “How do you feel now? I hope your blood sugar levels stabilized?”
“The flour was for my mother. Yes, she was relieved. Thank you, once again.”
“It is my pleasure, ma'am.”
“Can I have your account details for the transfer? How much will it cost you to prepare ten kilograms?”
“It wouldn't cost much because this is the season.”
“You are correct. Give me your details,” she requested while her attention was on her phone. Howbeit, she transferred a reasonable sum after she made her details available.
“Wow! This is much,” Rose exclaimed when she got the payment. Mrs. Owens gave her a warm smile, and changed the discussion.
“You are a nice girl, Rose,” she pointed out. Subsequently, Rose smiled bashfully, and appreciated, “Thank you for the compliment ma'am. You have been standing, kindly take a seat,” she offered, and pulled her reading chair to the entrance for her.
“Thank you, dear,” she greeted and sat on the funny-looking chair. Suddenly, two shoppers walked in, she attended to them happily. Thereafter, Sarah inquired, “If I may ask, are you an attendant, or is this your family business?”
“It is my family business, ma'am.”
Now, she looked at the store, and imagined how the scanty shop could support a family. All the same, she was expressionless, and commended, “That is good. How about your parents? I can't remember seeing them.”
Now, she observed that her countenance failed, and wondered why. Meanwhile, tears have gathered in her eyes, and she could not pretend about it.