" Yes, how are you?" Catherine asked.
" I'm... I'm...fine." Pearl stuttered, wiping off her tears.
" Why are you stuttering? Are you scared of something?" Catherine asked, looking concerned.
" Not, Mum, I was just surprised that you overheard what I said; I thought you were asleep," Pearl explained.
" You know I'm not a deep sleeper; I woke up immediately. You sat beside me, but I pretended to still be asleep." Catherine said, smiling.
" But why? You should have just hugged me for a job well done today, I didn't even know that I'm very tolerant not until this day." Pearl said, rolling her eyes.
Catherine chuckled, and said;
" Now you see, you were tolerant because you didn't want me to lose my job. You didn't do that because you're scared of how we're going to feed afterwards, you did that because you were scared of how I'll react if I lose the job because of you."
" So?" Pearl uttered, looking away.
" Now you see, that is the same reason I've been tolerating and enduring my boss's nasty behaviours. I'm doing it for you; I don't want you to suffer or starve. Where else can I get such a job that pays so well like that? By the way, nothing comes for free, you know; if the insults and maltreatment are what comes with that good pay, then darling, I'm ready to endure as long as I can, probably till when you're done with college." Catherine said sharply.
" What! Mum! So you're ready to endure that long because of me? No mum, you can't keep being humiliated because you want to give me a better life, no! I can't let you continue working there. Mum, your boss is mean and condescending, don't you get it? It's just as if I'm the reason why you're going through pains in life, and I feel so terrible about it. I'm so sorry mum." Pearl said tearfully.
" Why are you being sorry? Would you please stop crying? You know I hate to see you sad, so darling please stop crying." Catherine said sadly.
" Mum, I can't stop crying. You've gone through a lot in life because of me, my father abandoned you when you needed him the most. Mum, you've been the catering for me right from when I was in your womb till date. Mum, I owe you a lot." Pearl said tearfully.
" Darling, you don't owe me anything, i'm your mother, and it's expected of me to take care of you, ok? The only thing that you can do that will make me happy is… … ... … … … …"
" Mum, I'm ready to do anything and everything for you; just say it and consider it done. You've made a lot of sacrifices for me, so there's nothing you will ask of me that I won't do, Mum. You're my best friend, my world, my everything. Your happiness is my happiness, and it means a lot to me. I love to see you happy always, you know?" Pearl said, interrupting Catherine.
" I don't want something much, it's just a little favour, but I know it will be very hard for you to do," Catherine said calmly.
" Really mum? What could that be? Should I be scared? " Pearl asked, looking confused.
" No, no, don't be scared darling, it's nothing serious, it all depends on you," Catherine said softly.
" Ok mum, so what is it?" Pearl asked, looking so eager for an answer.
" It's about my boss," Catherine said faintly.
" What about him?" Pearl asked with a straight face.
" I knew it, you're already pissed even before hearing what I have to say," Catherine said and looked away.
" C'mon, mum, I'm not pissed; I'm just surprised that you're talking about him to me," Pearl explained.
" Ok then, if you say so. I just want you to be patient and tolerant with him. I don't want to lose that job. You know how much I hold that job dear to my heart, and you know it's because of the pay, so please be patient with him." Catherine pleaded.
" Gosh! Mum, you know this is a very difficult task for me; you and I have different personality traits; how do you expect me to cope with him? Just working with him today alone, I'm already fed up; I wonder how you do it, though, because as for me, I ain't taking no shit from anyone, not even him." Pearl said firmly.
" Darling, you can do it, just do it for me, do it for us. If you can tolerate, and endure everything he and his girlfriend did to you today, it means you can tolerate and endure every other day." Catherine said.
" Mum, it's not easy. What if they do something worse tomorrow? Mum, you and I know that I have zero tolerance, the percentage of patience is very low. To be honest with you, I can't last long there. Just be expecting the unexpected soon, Mum." Pearl said firmly.
" Pearl, why are you so adamant? Ain't you the one who just told me a few minutes ago that you would do anything to make me happy? So what are you saying? Why can't you just make this one sacrifice for me? Please, Pearl, I love my job so much, and I don't want to lose it, please." Catherine pleaded.
" Fine! I'll do it, but please get back on your feet as soon as possible before I run out of patience, you know your boss is very annoying, and there's a limit to what I can take." Pearl said sharply.
" Yes, darling, I know there's a limit to what you can take, and I'll try my best to be back on my feet as soon as possible. Thank you for doing this for me, and most especially us." Catherine said, smiling.
" It's fine mum, anything for you. If I don't make you happy, who… … … … … … …"
Catherine's phone rang, interrupting Pearl;
" Who's calling?" Pearl asked sharply.
" Mrs. Johnson," Catherine said faintly.
" Mrs. Johnson?" Pearl uttered, with her eyes wide open.