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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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