Chike and Fred sat at a corner in
their favorite eatery. They usually met there once in a while to unwind from
the stress of work and life.
“How was work
today?” Chike asked Fred.
“It was good,” Fred
replied.
“Is your supervisor
still giving you issues?”
“Yes but I have to
endure it.”
“That’s the best way
to deal with bossy people. They eventually get tired.”
They called on a waiter and placed
their order.
“Have you found a
job yet?” Fred asked Chike.
“Nothing serious
yet. The one I have is a casual one and they rarely give me shifts.”
“That is the problem
with casual work. Full time workers get the lion’s share of shifts, part time
workers get the remaining, and only the crumbs get to the casual workers.”
“It’s tiring
honestly.”
“So how have you
been coping with bills?”
Chike
sighed.
“I make sure I send
money to my family first before anything else.”
“Very important.”
“I can’t remember
the last time I bought any cloth or something like that for myself. I have to
look away when I see what I would like just because I am managing the little
money I have. I can’t tell my family that I don’t have money for them.”
“But have you tried
modifying your resume to increase your chances of getting another job?”
“Yes. There is nothing
I have not done.”
“What about going in
person to where the job opening is and requesting to see the hiring manager?”
“I have, but the
Reps at the front desk always insist I drop my CV with them.”
“Hmmm. I wish my office was hiring. I would have recommended you.”
“I don’t even like
your type of work. It is too hectic.”
Fred laughed. “You are still being
selective.”
“I am kidding,”
Chike said, joining in the laughter. “I used to be selective before but now I
am open to anything at all.”
“You have to start
from somewhere.”
“True.”
The waiter brought their order. They
began eating.
They
talked about other things happening in the city.
“I want to ask,”
Chika said. “Is it every Spring they do construction?”
“Usually,” Fred
replied. “I have lived here almost all my life.”
“It makes movement
difficult.”
“It is the best
season for construction. Nothing can be done when the weather is in the
negative.”
“That’s true.”
Fred tried standing up to go pee
and writhed in pain.
“Do you still
experience that pain?” Chike asked him.
He
nodded.
“And you have seen your
doctor about it right?”
Fred
nodded again. “But it has not resolved,”
“Then how come you
go to work with it?” Chike asked. “How are you coping?”
“I don’t have any
choice. Who will pay my bills if I don’t work?”
“If anything happens
to you, the bills will still be paid one way or the other.”
“At least I know the
pain is not killing me. At least not yet.”
“You need to take it
easy brother.”
“You are talking
like you don’t know how it is here.”
“I do.”
He blew
air out of his mouth in despair.
Fred
slowly walked to the washroom, peed and returned.
“Is it bad?” Chile
asked feeling empathetic.
“If I take pain
reliever, I will feel better.”
“Hope you don’t
abuse it though.”
“I have had to
increase the dosage few times.”
“That’s not safe.”
“I don’t have a
choice.”
“Is your wife
aware?”
“No. I can’t tell
her. She will freak out.”
“You should not hide
it from her.”
“I know my wife. She
will not take it. The whole world will know about it and mount pressure on me until
I stop working.”
The front
door opened and one of their friends entered. Fred saw him and waved. He walked
towards them, they shook hands, exchanged pleasantries and he sat down.
Chike
continued his conversation with Fred. “What men go through just to take care of
their families is not easy at all,”
“Yes, but it is
worth it,” Fred added.
“That is if the
person you are providing for appreciates it,” Adam added.
“Are you still
having issues with your wife?” Chike asked.
“Yea. At times I
wonder why she married me in the first place. She hates me for no reason.”
“Are you sure there
is no reason? Have you tried speaking with her about it?”
“Severally but
without any resolution.”
“Don’t worry, she
will come around.”
“I am getting tired
of the whole thing.”
Chike
squeezed his shoulders. “Be patient with her ok.”
“But when you give
her money or buy her gifts, does she accept them?” Fred asked.
“Yes she does,” Adam
replied.
They
burst into laughter.
“It is not funny,”
Adam said.
“You may have to
give her more,” Fred said, still laughing.
Adam
shook his head.
Chike patted
him on the back. “Don’t worry about it.”
“It is a burden,” Adam
lamented. “Whenever I remember going back home, my heart skips. I don’t know
what attitude she would come up with next.”
“Don’t worry about
that for now,” Fred asked. “What would you like to eat?”
“I am leaving almost
immediately.”
“Why?”
“I am on night shift.”
“But you just
finished from work now,” Chike said.
“Yes. The night
shift is at the other job.”
“You are making a
lot of money o.”
“It is taking a toll
on my body. I really need to rest but I can’t.”
Adams got up to leave. Then he
stopped suddenly and held his tummy.
TO BE CONTINUED...
#FathersDay #Father'sDay #Fatherhood #Father #Canada #Nigeria #Peace #Work
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