Christine was the pride of her mother. She was quite a child. She had began to crawl when she was 6 months old and started walking when she was 9 months old. Sometimes she could be a pain in the ass as she troubled her mother a lot.
Annie had clean all of Christine's mess, feed her on time, lull her to sleep or else she would stay up all night.
At the age of 5, her mother enrolled her in a school. She was a very bright child and her teachers loved her so much.
Annie would sometimes wonder what would happen if she had aborted such a wonderful child. She would pray to God every day for Christine's happiness and prosperity. Christine was surely a promising child.
"Ms. Larry I'm sorry but you have to complete Christine's fees or else we would allow her in classes." The secretary of the school which Christine attended told Annie, "Today's her only grace ma'am."
Annie sighed, "Uhm... Christine c'mon go to class now. See you later honey." She bent down, kissed her head and smiled at her.
"Okay Mommy." Christine ran off to class.
"If you could give me some more days..."
"I'm sorry ma'am but we can't do that we've done enough for you. Either you pay or Christine won't attend classes." The secretary continued.
"Oh, okay." Annie bent her head and walked out of the office.
"What am I gonna do now? Where do I get $1500 from within a short time?" Annie was lost in her thoughts, "I don't want Christine to stop lectures. Oh my God what am I gonna do?"
Annie walked down the street still thinking. She had an idea, she would ask her neighbor for the money and pay her back when she saved. With hope in her heart, she walked briskly back home. She no longer worked for Mrs. Hiller any more because she closed the shop after her son had surprised her and taken her with him. She now worked as a cook in a small restautant not too far from Christine's school.
She reached her house and decided to go to her neighbor's house first. She got there and knocked. Her neighbor, Julie opened the door.
"Hey there Julie." Annie smiled.
"Hey." Julie didn't seem so happy on seeing her.
"Uhm.. Julie could you lend me some money? Uh $1000 would do please." Annie pleaded.
"You came here to borrow money? Gosh Annie you ain't serious. I'm sorry but I won't lend you money this time. The last time, it took you forever to pay me back."
"But..." Before she could say anything else, Julie slammed the door in her face.
Annie was hurt and she felt tears sting her eyes. She sniffed and walked away pained. She didn't earn up to $500 a day and she was supposed to pay $1500 in the space of a few days to prevent Christine from stopping lectures.
She couldn't tell Robert. He was now married and he had a family now. She didn't want to add her problems to to Robert's responsibilities.
She walked back home disappointed, hurt and confused as to what to do.
Time soon walked by, still Annie couldn't think of what to do. There was a knock on the door.
"Mommy?"
Annie got up from the couch and opened the door, "Hey there honey." She tossed Christine in the air.
Christine watched her mother's expression, "I ain't going to school tomorrow and I Mommy?" Christine asked.
Annie dropped Christine, her expression changed. She sighed, "So it seems." She led Christine inside.
"It's okay Mommy. I can miss classes for a few days." Christine smiled.
Annie eyes filled with tears and she quickly wiped them. Christine was too little to understand.
"Are you crying Mommy?" Christine asked concerned.
Annie held her little hands, "I'm so sorry my dear but I dunno when you're going back to school, Mommy doesn't have $1500 for now." Her voice was choked.
Christine wiped her mother's tears, "It's okay Mommy, I understand."
Annie tried smiling, she hugged her, "What would I do without you my Angel?"
"I'm always here for you Mommy."
"I love you baby."
"I love you more Mommy."
"C'mon now sweetie let's go get lunch."
******
It's been a week but Christine hadn't returned to school. Annie had not still saved up to $1000 and she worried every now and then. Though Christine tried cheering her up by helping in almost everything she did. It worked to an extent but it still didn't erase the worry off her heart.
She had asked her boss to pay her for the whole month.
"Mr. Thompson, Good morning sir."
Mr. Thompson grunted a reply.
"Sir please can I ask of a favor?"
Mr. Thompson looked up irritated, "What is it?"
"Sir, I wanna collect my full month's pay. I have to pay my daughter's fees. Please sir I'd be grateful if you would grant my request."
"No."
"Sir?"
"I'm not doing that. Now get lost!" Mr. Thompson yelled.
Annie was stung by his words and she ran out.
******
There was a knock on the door.
"Christine get the door!"
"Yes Mommy."
She opened the door, it was her class teacher.
"Mr. Cole!" She hugged him.
"How are you Christine?"
"I'm fine Mr. Cole." She grinned.
Mr. Cole Chuckled.
"Mom! Mr. Cole's here!" She ran to meet her mother in the kitchen.
Annie came out wiping her hands, "Oh Mr. Cole, what a pleasant surprise. Please sit." She went over to the fridge and brought out a glass of mango juice. She placed it in front of him.
Mr. Cole sat down with Christine beside him.
" To what do we owe this August visit Mr. Cole?"
"Uhm... I came because of Christine. She hasn't been in class for a week. What happened?"
Annie bent her head, "I haven't completed her fees." She sighed.
Mr. Cole looked at Christine then back at Annie, "Oh."
"Yes."
He kept quiet for a while, "What if I completed it?" He spoke up.
She whipped her head up, "You could do that?"
"Of course. Christine's my darling and I'd do anything to see her in class again." He ruffled Christine's hair.
Annie couldn't be happier, "How can I thank you Mr. Cole?"
"It's nothing."
"Thank you so much Mr. Cole. Thank you so much. I promise to pay back..."
"No that wouldn't be necessary Ms. Larry."
Annie knelt down, "Thank you so much."
Mr. Cole was embarrassed, "Ms. Larry please..."
She stood up still thanking him until he was totally embarrassed. Christine hugged him, "I love you Mr. Cole. You're my favorite teacher in the whole wide world."
He chuckled, "You're also my favorite, Christine."
"I'll leave now."
"Okay. Thanks for coming."
He walked out of the house, "Bye Christine." He waved.
"Bye Mr. Cole."
"Hear that Mommy, I'm going back to school!" She jumped up and down the room.
*****
Christine was running back home really fast. She topped her class in a math test. She was so excited on going home that she didn't notice an incoming car.
The car screeched to a halt. It had almost hit her.
Christine was shaky with fright.
A man got down from the car.
It was Christian!