Helping my momma

" Father bless me. Today I'm going to help mom " I talk to a picture of our family. In the photo, we have me as a baby, my mom, my grandmother and my father.

In my early years I cut out my dad's face and I was young and got excited with a pair of scissors. Grandma would say is for the best and now she is no longer with us. May her soul rest in peace ✌️, she was unhealthy and dwelled in the hospital for at least a month or so. She always likes to pull my cheeks and I hated it but now I wish she was here to pull my cheeks again however she is gone now. Anyway, it's too bad since it is the only picture I have of my dad. Why do people have to die and leave us to morn? It hurts a lot. And I can see it has broken my once enthusiastic mother. she has lost a lot of weight and what is left it's a shell of her real self. Sometimes, I feel she only exists because of me. When I grow older and our problems are no more. I will find a new daddy and husband for my stunning mother.

Immediately following my prayer to the almighty. I join mom downstairs.

First of all, I put the chicken feet into their tray and check for eggs.

Next, I feed the pigs too while my mother cleans up their habitats from poop.

ThenThedest part was the milking of Dudo the cow, the naughtiest of them all.

" Hi, dudo " I wave at him as I crouch behind him. My shaky hands reach for the tiggy. I pressed lightly and the milk comes out without any fuss from Dudo. He must be aware of our financial crisis and not bother.

I see my mom dressed in overalls standing in the wine cultivation land she seems to be in serious talk with the other villagers. They are showing her crops and from afar I can still see the disappointment on her face. The farm production has been slow lately and our animals have been dying too.

" Ouch " I scream as Dudo kicked me with one of its legs. It hurt so much but I can't let my mother find out. All I need is to bottle the milk and sell it to our neighbours.

*******

During break time, I change into my house clothes and meet the street kids in the next square. Today I will sell flowers and cookies to people so I can help momma.

I follow the kids to a house, it's dark and the paint has all faded. The roof looks like it's about to fall apart and a lazy bulldog lies at the entrance panting due to the scorching sun. At the threshold, we are greeted by cobwebs and spiders and the music from inside the house is so loud I can't hear my thoughts.

A fat man is sitting on a rocking chair that no longers rocks. His chin has a bushy beard and an uncomfortably pointy moustache at both ends. His clothes have stains with the colour of the rainbow and popcorn.

" Hello, Panga " Miser the red-haired sputters tapping the sleeping log.

The man looks more frightful with open eyes. His eyes are coffee brown and he has a perm. His brows are bushy and his eyelashes long.

" Tum..he, " he asked eating the popcorn from his beard eww

The boy and the man speak in a foreign language and the man hands over roses to us.

" I will give each of you a hundred units worth of roses after each sale we will give forty units to the man "

" Isn't forty too much "

" Shut up brat, he is our saviour " Miser yells pushing me harshly. I fall and brush my arms and red bruise pop-ups. They all look at me strangely like I asked a stupid question. How is that lazy ugly uncle any close to God, we work all day and he does nothing.

For the next three weeks during break time, I sell flowers and go back home to school without the knowledge of my teachers and mother.

" Flowers " I pull a gentleman's pants. When he looks at me I notice how good-looking he is. His eyes are bright blue and he has a stumble and he is so handsome I just want to stare at him.

He crouches and caresses my cheek. It feels so warm and my heart feels funny.

" Flowers sir " I repeat looking into his eyes.

" Why are selling flowers? Aren't you suppose to be at school? "

" Yes but I need to help my mother "

" It's dangerous out here. Let's make a deal. I will give you a thousand units if you promise to stop selling flowers " his voice is gentle and kind.

I think for a while, a thousand units is a lot of money and if I make this promise, I can't break it.

" What do you say? "

" Deal but I keep a flower " my voice is stern and he smiles.

" Good girl. Your mother must be so proud "he ruffles my hair and gifts me a bag and box.

" I can't accept this "my mom always tells me not to accept things from strangers. For some reason, I find this man as family.

" No, you have to. From me "

" What is it? " I ask peering at the fancy-looking box.

" A box of chocolates and a McDonald's special "he takes out his wallet and gives me a hundred units. He takes my flowers to make sure I don't break my promise.

In return, I give him the special sweets made by my mother. I also sell these sweets in class and the neighbourhood. This money will be a birthday gift from my mother.