chapter 2

Lina's pov

Mom was unable to work due to her health. But Richard works at a junk shop, which paid him $50 per month and was not enough to even feed the family for a month. That was why I started working at the evening bar. My brother waited for me until it was time for my shift. We both walked home. The air was filled with Jazz music which was coming from an old club.

Richard, what do you think mom's expression will be when she hears about the news? I asked, breaking the silence.

"I don't know, maybe she will be happy or rather sad."

"Why think so?" i asked.

"That's because mom hates Wastenhill."

Why does she hate Wastenhill? i asked myself, thinking of a reason. Even when I mentioned the wastenhill scholarship examination

her mood changed instantly. I reduced my pace, trying to figure out what the connection was that mom has with wastenhill.

"But do you know why, Richard?" I asked.

"I also don't know Lina." Richard said to me, patting my back, trying to cheer me up, I think.

"Didn't you say that we once lived at Wastenhill?" I asked again.

"Yes we did. And it was a very long time ago." He sounded uncomfortable. Almost like he wanted to change the topic.

"Can we change the topic?" I asked.

"Sure. Why not?" He replied immediately. Seems he already had it in mind.

We finally arrived home around 9:00pm. I bent down and kissed the Begonia flower that I planted in the front of our porch before pushing the door open. "Mom I'm back." I said, walking towards the direction that she was standing. Mom had already made dinner so we both

sat down while

Richard went to his room to get something.

I wonder what he was going to get, because when he came out his hands wondered empty. It seemed like he had gone to drop something rather.

"Lina, how did your day go?" mom asked me, breaking the silence.

"It was alright, and also stressful" i sighed while shaking my head to match my expression. He then sighted Richard reaching out into his pocket. I was almost scared of not wanting him to show mom my results yet.

Richard's pov

I went out of the room and joined them at the dining table. Both mom and Lina started talking about how their day went. I put my hand into my jacket's pocket. Lina stared and observed my movements.

"I wonder what she is thinking."

Then I took out a $30 note and placed it on the table. They both looked at me with a questioning face. I could tell from their expressions what they were thinking.