Remembering 7: New Job
Since Leo and his family left home seven months ago, he had been used to a hard life and working hard became norm. At first it proved to be hard because he wasn't used to all the hard work. But when his mom went without her meds for two days, he had to do something. He knew it was either he made it or made it. He thus went out to look for a job, any job that can earn him anything, and he was determined to do anything to at least be able to buy the meds for his mom and put food on their table.
He was grateful for small favours like the fact that they had a neighbour who volunteered to be taking care of their mom while he worked and Kay was at school. He had to make things easier for Kay who was a week away from sitting for his final primary school exam. He
wanted his brother to experience the best life had to offer.
And God looks after his own because he got a good boss like Pendo who even gave him an advance whenever he was short of money to buy his mom's meds. And since he told his story his story to her, she was so nice as to give him two days off every week: Saturday and Sunday, so he could take care of his mother. Pendo was simply God sent in Leo's life. Leo didn't even want to imagine what would have happened to them if pwndo hadn't walked into his life when she did.
That's why he thought it wise to ask the hunk, ahem, sorry..to ask Dylan if he would hire him. This would earn him extra and they would stop struggling so much. He crossed his fingers and prayed that Dylan wouldn't refuse to have a man as a housekeeper. He also hoped that this man wouldnt mind giving him the two days that were his off from the cafe to go and work in his house.
He had spent the short walk from that bench to the cafe saying a secret prayer. He begged all the goodness in the whole world to let him have that job.
When he got to the table, Dylan was already enjoying a cup of cappuccino that he had been served and by the looks of it, he seemed to be enjoying himself. He never thought that on these sides of the campus there would be such good coffee house.
"The coffee here is good. You weren't exaggerating " Dylan said with a smile as Leo sat opposite him. "Why didn't I know of this cafe before?" He asked with a smile and then added, "I sure will be a regular here now. So, what did you want to talk to me about?" He
asked with a curiosity that was evident on his face. He seemed to be a nice man and that made Leo smile.
"I...Errrm... It's about the housekeeping job you were talking about on the phone. I swear I wasn't eavesdropping. I have a lot of responsibilities at home and extra pay would really go a long way. I know how to clean, wash and cook and I promise I will be like a shadow. I won't disturb you at all. Anything you want done around the house, I will do," he finished with a nervous smile.
Dylan looked at him like he was crazy. He could not believe it. How was this possible? Was this for real? He was just wondering where to get good help and here one walked to him. He wondered whether his luck stats have always been so high.
"Dylan? Did I say something wrong?" Leo asked nervously. He hoped that this man, Dylan, didn't find him weird.
"Er... No. I.. I'm... Erm... , it was Dylan's turn to blush. "Sorry. I just can't believe it. I wanted a man housekeeper but my mom said I wouldn't get one. She even gave me an ultimatum of one week. If I would have not found one by then, then she would bring one of her maids to work for me and I hate it. Are you sure you can do it?"He asked while looking at Leo, not giving him a chance to evade his enquiring gaze.
"Yes I can. The last several months have taught me how to be a good housekeeper and cook. I can do it. I'm sure I can do it," he said with confidence. Even if there was something he couldn't do, then he would learn. But he couldn't tell Dylan that. He couldn't risk Dylan refusing to hire him.
"Okay, you are hired. Then I need to show you where I live and give you a key. I hope you won't find the pay low because I only need you to come in only two days a week. I will need you to launder my clothes, clean the house and cook. Make sure you stock the fridge with enough food for the days you won't be there. Can you do that? I hope it isn't much on your part," he asked with a hopeful look.
"Yeah no problem and don't worry about the pay. I can do all that. Any amount will help," Leo assured him with a happy smile.
"Okay, I don't know how much mom pays her workers but what do you think of twenty thousand?" Dylan asked hopefully and Leo opened his mouth to say something but nothing came out. He gawked at Dylan with his eyes wide open. Did he hear that right or did he just hallucinate it?
"What? Is the pay that little? Should I add something? What about thirty thousand then?" Dylan continued with a smile to ease the awkwardness.
"I... Er.. Do you mean twenty for the month?" Leo asked skeptically just to clarify. He couldn't believe his luck. No. He has never been this lucky. Twenty was more than he made at Pendo's Cafe.
"No, for each day you drop by. Is it okay?" Dylan answered. 'Ha Ha Ha! The devil has come to taunt me' Leo thought. But looking at Dylan, his face spelt "serious".
Ai! He just couldn't believe it. It couldn't be real. Could it?