The Race

The harsh morning sunlight's rays peeping through the window woke Patricia up from her sleep. She sluggishly reached for her phone to check the time and saw that it was 11:35am. She then slowly kept it at the side and went back to snuggling more in her blankets to continue her sleep, until her eyes suddenly flew open due to a realization. '11:35am!!!! Oh shoot!! I have a History lesson that I need to lecture at the university at 12pm!!' And she quickly got off the bed, made it and rushed to the bathroom to freshen up. Later on she exits the house wearing a white blouse with light blue jeans and white sneakers, with a laptop bag slung across her chest from her left shoulder down to the right side of her waist and she tied her long wavy black hair into a pony tail. She then quickly hailed for a taxi and it drove her to the university.

Upon arriving at Roseville University, she quickly strolled through the quiet and nearly empty campus grounds and hallways heading straight for her class. She prayed and hoped that none of the senior lecturers saw her arriving late again for work because due to the night shifts that she had been working, she has been arriving at work late or sometimes even forgetting that she had a class that day. One of the senior lecturers already gave her a warning because of it. However, it is still very difficult to heed to it since she still needed to work night shifts in order to provide for her family.

Patricia finally arrived at the door of the lecture room and she released a sigh of relief after realizing that none of the other lecturers were present around the hallways because it was a Tuesday and on that day a lot of lessons took place. However, her relief was short lived when she entered the lecture room and saw that one of the senior lecturers who taught history was already conducting the lesson. And when she saw Patricia entering the room she paused and said, "Welcome Miss Milton! Its about time that you showed up. At about....12:15pm! Which is perfect timing because the lesson is about to end at exactly 12:25pm! Which means that you are an hour and fifty minutes late for your lesson Miss Milton". " Wait I thought I was supposed to give the lecture at 12noon today. So why did it take place early?" Asked Patricia. "Have you forgotten Miss Milton?", asked the lecturer. " Forgot about what?" As soon as Patricia asked that question the students in the room started murmuring, some even laughed and others began to even mock her. 'I told you she was crazy', 'No she is a grandma in the body of a young woman', 'How can she be so beautiful and yet so forgetful', 'I told you that she is nothing but a fake, she is obviously a vixen who uses her beauty to lure men. It doesn't surprise me if she is 'a night worker' and her job is the one that makes her behave like this'. The students' words were like sharp knives cutting through Patricia's heart and it hurt her the most that these people were judging her without even knowing her. She felt a wave of anger rousing within her and she felt like she wanted to scream at them and give them all a befitting reply but her rationality was more in control than her emotions. So she just bit her lower lip and remained quiet.

"Today is Tuesday Miss Milton", replied the lecturer. " Yes I know that its Tuesday Mrs Summons. And my history lecture starts at 12pm and ends at 2pm...", said Patricia. "No Miss Milton...its on Thursday that your history lecture starts at 12pm and ends at 2pm. On Tuesday your lecture starts at 10:25am and ends at 12:25pm. If it did start at 12pm as you say....should I have been in here? No! I got called at 10:45am by the head Dean when I was busy enjoying my wonderful morning yoga with my husband since Tuesday is my day off because I don't have any lectures that day! But because of you...because of you Miss Milton, here I am!"

"Mrs Summons I am so sorry. I am so very sorry I got confused and got the time mixed up....I am very sorry...I..", pleaded Patricia. " There is no need to apologize Miss Milton. The deed is already done now and there is nothing you can do about it. So save your explanation for the Head Dean....he is waiting for you in his office. Now if you excuse me...I would like to finish my lecture now. Students please pay attention.. ", said Mrs Summons and she continued her lesson. Patricia remained rooted and motionless at her spot and did not move. After a little while she then exited the room and went to the Head Dean's office.

"I am sorry Patricia but....I am going to have to let you go. Both the lecturers and the students have been complaining about your laziness and lack of commitment to this job. I know I promised to help you....for your father's sake since he was a good friend of mine. But looking at this situation... just giving you a suspension is not enough because you have been doing your misdeeds for a long time now. Look....I know you are a very smart, intelligent and good girl. However, I cannot help you until you change your behavior. But do know that after you mend your ways, I will be willing to help you again...if you need me. But for now I am sorry.."

These were the words that were continuously ringing in Patricia's mind as she went back home after visiting the Head Dean's office. She just could not believe that she lost her job. At the only place where she was willingly accepted and also the only normal job that she had to support and fend for her family. What was she going to tell her siblings now. How was she going to fix this. Patricia felt broken and tears were already glimmering in her eyes but however she refused to cry and show her weakness. She made a promise to her father and mother that she would remain strong and fight for and support her siblings no matter what. So she should not let them see her cry but being strong. And she will make sure to find a new job soon to provide for her family. So she consoled herself with these words as she continued her journey back home.

However, upon arriving home she was welcomed with horror as all their things were being thrown outside by some unknown men. Patricia heard someone shouting and she saw her siblings Alisha and Zach being dragged out of the house. Patricia quickly ran to them and forcefully pulled them away from the men's hold. "Hey! Hey! What is going on here! Who are you! And why are you throwing our things outside of the house!!" "You failed to pay the mortgage for the house, so this here old crooked building is going to be demolished along with rest of those houses along the block to build a hotel in this street!", replied one of the men. " What!!! But our house was not mortgaged!! What nonsense are you talking about!!!", screamed Patricia at the men. "Listen here little lady!! This house was on mortgage and we gave you five years to clear the debt! But you did not pay not even a single cent until now! And now a generous person decided to buy of this old block of old crooked houses to build a hotel. And we ain't gonna let him down now are we. So quit your dilly dallying and get the hell out of here before we tow you out!!" Shouted the man. "But what about the other houses!! What did you do to their owners!! You dirty pieces of trash!!!", screamed Alisha at the man. " Why them... (chuckling), they moved out of this place ages ago. The person who bought this land gave them no return loans of $300,000 each and they scram out of here. But well as for you....tsk tsk tsk, I guess you were not so lucky. Now get outta here now!!" "No!! We....", shouted Alisha but she was interrupted by Patricia saying, " Alisha don't!!" "But Patricia!! They are kicking us out of our home!! And you are just going to let them do that!!", said Alisha shaking with rage. " Its ok Alisha...lets just go..these people are not worth fighting. Its just not worth it." Said Patricia. "But Sis..where are we going to live. We have no place to go!" Said Zach who was silent all this time but finally decided to voice out his worry. "Don't worry guys...I know a friend who can help us.." Said Patricia.