A NEW FRIEND

"You are really something, Ellie. I mean, for you to defy your father like that, girl, you've got balls!" Grace says.


After that atrocious time-wasting interview and bumping into her at the gate, I wanted to scream at her to leave me alone. I was in no mood for any chats, especially with some high school dummy whom we never got close to, but surprisingly, we ended up in my house instead. I told her about my plight, and she was stupefied to learn that I was jobless and impoverished. Her narrative is also incredibly depressing, perhaps even more so than mine.

Her only brother took over the family business after her parents died in a car accident, and he refused to spare her even a cent. He seems to be one of those stingy, stereotypical Africans who think women shouldn't inherit anything. Stupid, right? He should be taught a lesson for torturing his only sibling this way. They weren't so rich, but she shouldn't be doing this either.

Just like me, she also had no luck with the interview. We are two miserable and desperate souls. "My father pushed me to that edge, Grace. Never would I have wished that my relationship with my father would come to this, especially now that he is the only family I have left. It hurts me so so much," I mumble.


"I understand you, Ellie. I feel the same way about my brother. I loathe him and his family so much that I don't want to ever lay my eyes on them." She says, tears threatening to leave her eyes. "Can you imagine that he refused to even pay my college fees? I had to drop out on my second year, Ellie."

Shit! That is so cruel. I think that brother of hers needs to be castrated. He didn't just take away her inheritance, but he refused to fund her education too. What an animal! "I'm sorry, Grace. We might be powerless right now, but we are going to make it either way," I say, patting her shoulder.


Ah, look Who's consoling who now? Really, unpredictability is a hallmark of life. Until you go out there and listen to other people's plights, that's when you realize that you shouldn't even be talking about gripes, and you stop believing that you are the only one who is suffering. In my situation, at least my stupid father is still alive, and I provoked him into stripping me of my entitlements in this manner, which I don't regret even in the slightest. Grace's parents, however, have long been dead, and her brother doesn't give a fuck about her. While her brother is luxuriating in comforts he didn't even work for, she is out here going through the worst moment of her life.

"So, what came about with your previous job?" I ask.

I am not used to discussing about myself so much, so I wouldn't want to go beyond this. I hate being emotional and the devil knows that.

"Well, you know the state of the economy right now. The company closed down a few months ago." She explains.

I understand. The country's economy is crumbling. The greediness of the monkeys in the leadership seats is dragging this country into a quagmire. They are pocketing every single cent they come across. They are getting richer by the day while the common mwananchi (citizens) get poorer and poorer. I feel pity for the poor in this country. They are the majority, yet not even the stupid leaders they voted for give a fuck about them.

"Yeah. It's so saddening to even think of the direction this nation is taking. But that aside, what have you been doing for those months?" I ask.

"Getting by. I have a night job at a certain club. It's my only way of survival right now."

Whoa! A club?

"I don't think I will go for these interviews again. I will concentrate on the club. At least there they don't ask for some stupid degrees and experiences. And you, Elli? What are you going to do now?" She asks.

"Keep looking," I say, sighing.

She lets out a little chuckle, which causes me to stare at her in wonderment at what is humorous about my response. "After today's interview, you should know that you won't have any luck, Ellie. It's Richard Riccaford you are up against. At this point, you ought to be aware the extent of his willingness to get you to go back, and don't overlook his considerable power. Your father should probably get back into politics. His mentality and behavior speak to his ability in the political game." She states.

"I don't care about his influence or his wrath. The rich can be within his reach, but as you said, some jobs don't require you to have a degree or any experience. I will take up any, as long as it helps me get by."

"And that is where you lie to yourself again, Ellie. These jobs aren't for people like you. You..."

"I am as human as everyone else is, Grace. I may have been rich all my life, but that didn't make me any less of a human. I might not know a lot of simple things, but that doesn't mean I can't learn." I almost yell.

"I'm sorry if I offended you," she apologizes.

"It's alright. Forgive my outburst," I apologize. That came out way off than I intended. But I just don't want to hear people tell me that I can't do this or that.

"If you are sure you can do anything, why don't you join me in the club? You will have to deal with a lot of shit, that I must warn you, but the pay is good, and even more good if you add the tips."

Okay!

I know that I'm in a desperate situation and all. I also know I said that I would take on any job. But a club? Where I have to deal with these rude, inebriated idiots who can't tell the difference between red and black.

These morons whose hands, when they get inebriated, land everywhere on your body? You may occasionally be required to carry these hooligans outside after they get wasted. Naah! I could never imagine doing that thing.