The Past: Blessings From Above

Leo, as usual, was busy washing utensils on a table that looked like it would break anytime if any more pressure was applied to it. This woman loved shouting at her workers and Leo didn't want her to ruin his mood and that was why he was doing his best to work as fast as he could and finish this before more customers came and she realised there weren't any clean utensils to use.

He had lost weight and he looked malnourished but he didn't care. All he cared about was to make sure that his brother stayed in school and his mother got the meds she needed, which were not cheap.

As he was busy washing spoons, plates, cups and scrubbing cooking pots and pans, he heard someone talk behind him, "hello, excuse me," he turned and he was met by the face of a smiling woman. This woman looked kind unlike his boss. And beautiful, yes, beautiful. She reminded him of his mother before she fell sick.

"Er.. Yes? How did you get here? If my boss sees you here she will be mad," he said apprehensively as he checked to see whether the woman he called his boss could see them.

"Don't worry. She is the one who has allowed me to come here," she said with that kind smile.

"Oh, okay," he said, relief clearly written on his face.

"How may I help you then?"

"My name is Pendo and I own a cafe near the university which is not very far from here. I've been here several times and I have seen how hardworking you are and I would like to have you as one of my workers. What do you say?" She asked him with the same kind smile plastered on her face.

"Sure. I really need a better job and anything would help," he said excitedly.

"Great, when do you think you can start?"

"How about tomorrow? I have to finish my shift here for today. Is that okay?" He asked hopefully.

"Sure. Here is my card. Call me once you get to the gate of the university and someone will come to pick you up," still smiling, she handed him her card.

** ** **

That's how Leo started working at Café Pendo with a better pay and better working conditions.

Pendo became like a seconnd mother to Leo and he startedconfiding in her. He never questioned how he could be given two days leave every week and be paid so well. He just thought it was Pendo's kindness for a worker because he had explained to her about his mother's condition.

It was during that same time that a kind woman would move into the building they were living in and offer to help him take care of his mother when he was at work because, according to her, she was a freelancong nurse who mostly worked from home and with rich patients who didn't really her full time. For the first time, Leo felt relief and he felt like things were finally looking up. He wanted to work hard so that they could move to a better house with a better room for his mother and so that he and his brother could get some privacy. He counted all as blessings from above and he prayed for much more.

It was at that time while working at Café Pendo that he met Dylan on that bench that fateful day that saw his life take a one eighty degree turn for the better.

At first, even his mother and brother couldn't believe their luck. But as they saw their lives change for the better day after day, they knew that lady luck had shone her light on them. For the first time in months, Leo could sleep well.

If only he didn't have any more nightmares about his father's death.