Chapter five
Nora : (entering into the living room) holy mother !! (covering her nose) Where on earth is this smell coming from?
Linda: I'll tell you where it's coming from?!!! . It's coming from the gardener in Mrs. Sharon's garden at the back of our yard, our next-door neighbor...
Nora: Which gardener? (she interrupts)
Linda: Moses!! The broad fair tall British guy with the brown French fries hair!!
Nora: Oh that Moses (laughing) French fries hair!!... (continues laughing)
Linda: It's not funny!! (she yells)
Nora : (clears throat) of course!!.
Wait, I thought he was warned not to make use of that stuff as an insecticide cuz it stinks so bad (covering her nose)
Linda: Yea but he didn't listen!!, to make matters worse, I went out just now to talk to him and he.. he gave me deaf ears, like can you imagine!!?, that good for nothing guy, pretended as if I was oxygen. Oh.. am so mad at him (walking around the room) .l am gonna beat the hell out of him!! (she yells)
Nora: Girl!! came down OK, I'll go talk to him!! ( walks into their yard)
Linda: Better or else I'll use this air freshener bottle to knock out his smile bones (she yells out)
Nora : (walks closer to the wooden fence and leans on it) Mister gardener? (she calls out softly).Mister gardener!!? .Mister Moses !!!!! ?
Moses: Miss!!! (pulls out the earplugs in his ears)
Nora : (in her mind " now I know why he didn't respond when Linda spoke to him, earplugs were in his ears"). Are you kidding me!!?, you put earplugs in your ear while working...
Moses: Oh... Sorry miss.
Nora: Whatever. Why are you still making use of that stuff?
Moses : (pulls down his nose mask) well... as you can see, I'm using it to kill the insects infesting Mrs. Sharon's beautiful flowers before they ruin her garden (he said in a deep bass tone
Nora: Mister Moses if you don't stop making use of this chemical which is toxic to human health, I'll be forced to report you to the environment agency...
Moses: When you do, also tell them I need a better job the one that pays well without me undergoing a lot of stress and disturbance( continues to spray on the flowers)
Nora: Wow. Hmm... Mister Moses, you seem to have changed a lot. I know you to be a hardworking guy, someone who cherishes his work no matters the amount he is been paid, why the sudden change?
Moses: I just need to upgrade... I can't remain a gardener for the rest of my life!!
Nora: Upgrade?!! . I think you've added someone who is so demanding into your life...
Linda: yes!! (she yells from inside) he is dating a new chick now, I wonder why a man cannot cut his coat according to his size!!!
Moses: Miss Linda!!!?
Linda: Don't "Miss Linda" me (hisses)
Nora :(sighs and looks at him) look, mister Moses, I don't really what to say anything about your personal life but you should know something, you are not just some gardener, you are Hidden Ville's gardener!!, a lot of people know you for your good work and they trust you a lot, I mean people don't allow someone they know into their house to do some work but rather they allow people they trust.
There are a lot of people who envy you, once you start misbehaving and lose this job, you'd see a lot of people who willing to do it, some are praying for your downfall. So you should cherish what you have now "a bird in hand is better than two in the bush ".
Moreover, you look strong, so work hard and smart and you'll get what you want rather than being grumpy!!...
Moses: wow... thanks miss
Nora: sure
Moses: I'll change it, to be sincere this stuff stinks (chuckles)
Nora: You think!!?
Moses: Sorry about that I'll stop making use of it and um..thanks for the advice
Nora: Anytime(Walks back into her house). "Now that's how you talk to people " ( she said to her self as falls on the pink hairy couch in the living room)
(...footsteps...)
Linda: How do I look? (she asked while slowly coming down from the stairs)
Nora: Wow!!! (chuckles softly) what happened to your hair? (sits up)
Linda: Removed the extension, straighten it, and dyed it pink (swinging her hair from side to side)
Nora: Nice!!, although I never knew you have short hair!!
Linda :(sighs)Must you always try to spoil my mood?
Nora: Just saying... by the way, where are you heading to?
Linda: To work then to the office of the "LOML "
Nora: Andre's office!!... did he invite you over?
Linda: Really?!!
Nora: what?... you should know no one likes an uninvited guest talk more of an "unexpected guest "
Linda: I don't know why you find joy In ruining my happiness
Nora: Girl!!... i don't find joy in ruining your happiness, I'm just being honest that's it
Linda: Whatever.. ( twirls in excitement)
Nora: By the way, you look amazing
Linda: Thank you!!.
One quick question, how do I look?
Nora: hmm... Beautiful
Linda: Again!!
Nora: You look gorgeous
Linda: And again!! ( flips her pink hair with her hand)
Nora : (stands up from the couch) Linda!!!... You look like a Christmas tree... Hmm no!!, you look like an Easter bunny, those shoes are out of order... I mean two different colors of shoelaces!! Seriously.
Your makeup is off, it doesn't match the color of your short flay skirt and your hair oh my gosh. You should be glad that mirrors don't talk because you won't be able to handle what they're gonna you!!!
Linda: I hate you!!
Nora: love you more (chuckles softly and falls back on the couch)
Linda : (sighs) I won't let your words spoil my mood
Nora: I don't give a damn...
(...doorbell rings...)
Nora: Are you expecting anyone?
Linda: Oh my gosh!!! What the heck is the time?
Nora : it's 2:00pm...
(Doorbell rings again...)
Linda: Coming!!!!... (walks to the door) oh... no... I'm gonna be late today ...(sighs and open the door)
Linda: Hey Mrs. Jones!!
Mrs. Jones: wow Linda you look beautiful
Linda: thank you... so!!!..
Mrs. Jones :( interrupts her) yea...hmm... can you help me to pick Jones my daughter from school? please... I would have gone myself but I was called right now to report at work...
Linda: hmm... yea about that...
Mrs. Jones: OK thank you so much, you are a lifesaver (walks away quickly)
Linda: yea... Um... (sighs) never mind (closes the door) shoot!!! (shaking her head). Now, what do I do?!! ( walks back into the living room)
Nora: Who was that at the door?
Linda: Mrs. Jones
Nora: The short, pretty-looking British lady?
Linda: Must you describe Someone like that?
Nora: what!!... I described her perfectly well; she's short and has a British accent
Linda : (sighs) whatever...
Nora: so what did she want?
Linda: she said I should go pick her daughter Kelly from school...
Nora: very well then... Be gone!!
Linda : (sighs) please can you help me go pick her up? it's just a five minutes drive from here!...
Nora: why can't you go, after all, it's your job
Linda: Nora!!...I'll be late for work
Nora: then why didn't you tell Mrs. Jones you were going to work?
Linda: I wasn't given an opportunity to?...okay!! (sits on the couch)
Nora: Ugh!!... Well, that's your problem, you handle it.
Linda: Are you kidding me right now!!?
Nora: Linda!! you know I don't understand any of these teenagers around this community ... am not even friends with any of them because they are rude and they'll lack a sense of humor.
Linda: well not Jones. She is very nice just like me ...
Nora: please don't say that in public.
Linda : (hisses ) unlike Mrs. Sharon's daughter Sharon, she is another definition of rude just like you...
Nora: your words ain't helping matters at all.
Linda: come on Nora... Please!!.
Look you don't have to talk to her okay, just go pick her up and she can stay in the guest room while you stay anywhere else!!...
Nora: yea... yea I've heard. Which school exactly?
Linda: "Brighter kids high school"
Nora: (chuckles softly) weird name. Fine, I'll go pick her up!
Linda: thank you so much, you are the best...
Nora: Don't rub it in!!
Linda: Oops sorry. OK I'll be on my way now ( grabs her peach-colored handbag and walks to the door)
Nora: Tell Andre I said "hi "
Linda: yea sure (goes out of the house and drives off)
Nora: OK (talks to herself)... Let's go pick her up from school ( grabs her car keys from the center glass table in the living room)
*****
(Nora arrives at the school premises and parks her black Mercedes Benz car outside the School's gate and walks to the security stand)
Nora :( talking to herself) wow!! This school is big!! , oh well it's a high school.
...Hey hello (talking to the security guard) hmm... Mister...(looking at his identification card attached to his blue uniform )
Security guard: it's mister Smill!!
Nora: oh what ah ..nice "name " ... Well (clears throat) I'm Nora, Miss Nora ...
Security guard: well nice to meet you miss Nora, how may I help you?
Nora: hmm... I'm here to pick up one of your students.
Security guard: what's the name?
Nora: hmm... Yeah ...ugh... Sorry just give me a minute, am trying to recall her name ...
(whispering to herself) shit!! What the fuck is her name? (shaking her head) .
Hmm...jo ... Jones !!! Yes Jones is her name, short blonde hair chubby British girl, fair in complexion (chuckles nervously)
(whispering to herself) seriously though I need to find a nicer way of describing people...
Security guard: excuse me, ma'am!! Are you okay?
Nora: of course ( chuckles).
Security guard: and how are you related to Jones? ...
Nora: am her neighbor, her mom is busy today so I decided to help her out.
Security guard: hmm... OK.!! can I see your identification card?
Nora : (gives him her identification card) excuse me, what are you trying to imply?, that I came here to kidnap her?
Security guard: ma'am we're doing all this to secure the safety of our students, we make sure to get enough information from anyone who comes to pick up any student...
Nora: well that's good (clears throat ) so what about those who go home by themselves? how do you ensure that they return home safe and sound?!,
Security guard: hmm... Well...
Nora: oh don't mind me, my question has placed you in a hot sit!! (chuckles).
Security guard: hmm... I... I'll go get Jones
Nora: yea please do
(he gives her back her identification card and leaves the security stand)
Nora: (sighs ) smill (whispering to herself) what a name, like it sounds so weird... I mean who names their child "smill " oh well it's not my business and I think I should have packed my car inside the school premises, Maybe next time I'll do that
(she's stood for about two minutes talking to herself while waiting for Jones to arrive)
Jones: are you the one my mom sent to pick me up?
Nora :(turns around) Jones
...yea. Your mom is kinda busy today, so she sent me to come to pick you up
Jones: oh well I don't care. So where's your car?
Nora: the black Benz packed over there ( pointing at her car)
Jones: oh well... Bye mister swift!! (walks up to the car)
Nora : (whispering to herself) how rude, now I see why Linda said Jones is like her, rude and disrespectful set of people, she can't even greet ugh!! , how bad!
Security guard: it's mister Smill! (he yells)
Nora: won't it be better if you just change it to "Swill "?
Security guard :( looks at her)
Nora: Or never mind!
(she leaves the school gate, enters into the car and Jones joins her...)
Jones :( enters into the car "front seat "and bangs the car door close)
Nora: chill girl!! If you damage that door, you're gonna fix it and when I mean fix it, you are going to fix it with your hands, I don't know how you're gonna do it but I ain't calling any mechanical engineer for you.
Jones: whatever ( fixes her seat belt) can you please drive or let me drive.
Nora : (sighs and starts the car engine) I'll drive!!... it's my car!! (drives off)
(A few minutes later they arrive home)
Nora :( entering into her living room) OK Jones you can drop your bag on the dining table over there and hmm... stay anywhere you like while you wait for your mom
Jones : (murmuring)
Nora: did you say something?
Jones: nothing
Nora: OK, if you say so
(Nora enters into the kitchen while Jones sits down on the pink hairy couch in the living room still murmuring)
Nora: (talking to herself) I just wonder what's pissing her off, it's getting on my nerves (sighs) I think I should ask her, but first I'll make coffee, I'm so exhausted right now (sighs deeply)
(she made two cups of coffee, carries them to the living room, and sits close to Jones )
Nora: here
Jones: what's that?
Nora: A cup of coffee; sweetened for you and black coffee for me (smiles). Take it so it can calm you down and then you'll tell me what's bugging you
Jones: am a teenager and not a grandma and also nothing is bugging me
Nora: Wow yea you do look like a teenager but you act like a grandma, you have been acting weird and murmuring since we arrived.
Jones: OK!! ....( Sighs) Something is bugging but coffee won't solve it, and I hate coffee...
Nora: hmm... How about you go get a glass of smoothie? there's a jug of berry smoothie in the fridge then we'll talk?
Jones : (sighs) OK!!
(she moves to the kitchen, got a glass from the cupboard, opened the fridge, and took the smoothie. Then moves back to the living room and Sits on another couch )
Nora : (sips her coffee) so tell me What's bugging you?
Jones: well (drinks her smoothie and drops the empty glass on the side stool)
Nora: wow!! If you want more, u know where to get it
Jones: thanks but I'll pass
Nora: OK (clears throat) so where were we? ... What's bugging you?
Jones: Well it's about my school
Nora: the one I picked you up from?
Jones: yes, I hate the school!!
Nora: Wow that's loud, but why?
Jones: because I don't have any friends... Everyone sees me as an uncool girl because my school uniform is a little bit longer. They all see me as this short plump smart ass
Nora: wow have you tried reporting to teachers?
Jones: yes and it only made things worse, now I have low self-esteem, I can't even answer any questions in front of the class because everyone calls me a "British nerd ".
I've tried explaining things to mom but she won't listen, she keeps saying that I'll get used to it.
The other day, one of the students conducted a party and I was invited because everyone was invited
Nora: so did you go?
Jones: no, I'm even grounded. To make this worse, I have a bully on my tail.
Nora: did you confront him or her?
Jones: No. ...To be sincere I think they are right, I'm just a short smart ass (sighs) with medicated glasses (brings out a blue glass case, removes the black medicated glasses, and puts it on). I've lost my self-esteem completely. I'm not usually like this; grumpy and rude but ever since mom changed my school, that has always been my attitude.
Mom said that I'm like my dad, we're both easily discouraged (sighs). I've tried explaining things to mom but all to no avail...
Nora: have you told her about the bully and the low self-esteem you've got?
Jones: well I can't!
Nora: why!?
Jones: cuz if I tell mom it'd be so uncool, I just want her to change my school then things will go back to normal...
Nora: what if she doesn't? because she doesn't see any valid reason to change your school, what are you going to do?
Jones: I don't know but things will remain the same; no friends, being bullied, and I'll just slowly watch my self-esteem disappear
Nora: Hmm. (Finishes her coffee and drops the cup on the tiled floor and stands up) com'on
Jones: why are you taking me to?
Nora: Linda's room upstairs
Jones: okay?
(they both walk upstairs to Linda's room and stand in front of the door ...)
Jones: why are we standing here in front of the door?
Nora: I need you to remove your black shoes
Jones: why?
Nora: just pull it, no questions asked
Jones: okay (pulls her shoes off)
Nora: hmm...(opens the door) com'on in (entering Linda's room)
Jones : (enters the room) oh my gosh !!, what on earth!!! ... Wow!!
Nora: Do sure to close mouth before something enters inside
Jones : (chuckles) am just shocked right now... I mean take a good look at this room.
White-colored rug !...
Nora: that's why I asked you to remove your shoes, Linda would freak out if anything stains this rug.
Jones: yea I can imagine...velvet material for a bedspread with pink lace pillows, wow that's chic. Linda does have style, just look at her room, lots of ornaments, girly wallpapers on the wall, a nice dressing table everything in this room is mind-blowing...
Nora: well what do you expect? You're in the room of a fashion designer
Jones: nice, cool manikin!
Nora: yea I got those for her before she turns me into one. Either way, that's not why we're here!
Jones: OK
Nora: I want you to stand in front of the rectangular mirror hanged on the wall over there. And tell me what you see
Jones: ugh?
Nora: just do as I say
Jones: okay( stands in front of the mirror) hmm... This is kinda awkward
Nora: just tell me what you see
Jones: OK (looks at her reflection) well... I see a chubby girl in a school uniform on white socks standing on a white rug in a beautiful room...
Nora: Is that all?
Jones: I see a depressed teenager who is frustrated and tired of everything and everyone around her ...that's all I see
Nora: Well to be sincere, you have poor eyesight, and I don't mean your physical eyes but your inner eyes. Your inner eyes are blind that's why you can't see.
Jones: are you trying to insult me?!.
Nora: am not insulting you but telling you the truth (sighs). I'll tell you what I see and while I do that, you just keep looking at yourself in the mirror
Jones : (stands straight up, hands by the side, shoulders up, eyes looking directly at her reflection) am set.
Nora :(stands directly at her back and places both hands on her shoulders) I see an intelligent, smart, neat student... I mean!! take a good look at her uniform; the shirt well ironed and not so sweaty which shows that she doesn't play too much, her skirt just slightly above her knees and that's how a responsible student dresses, her socks still white although she's coming back from school.
She's using medicated glasses! that's not bad because she uses it to see clearly. And yes she's chubby but that's how she is and that doesn't stop her from being a good medical doctor in the future
Jones: How did you know I want to become a medical doctor?
Nora: Linda told me. And trust me to continue studying make it a habit cuz you're gonna need it.
Jones: yes I will but despite all of these characteristics, I still don't have any friends (sits on the floor and crosses her legs)
Nora :(sighs) that's because you are trying to impress the "cooler kids" in school and not expressing yourself.
Jones: so if I express myself I'll make good friends ...
Nora: exactly and that's one of the characteristics of a cool girl
Jones : (smiles) OK but what am I going to do with the bully?
Nora: confront her!!!
Jones: it's like telling me to confront you!!
Nora: what do you mean!?
Jones: she's your age
Nora: how old am I?
Jones: twenty-three or you're in your early twenties
Nora: am twenty-four
Jones : (lays flat on the white rug with her face down) she's twenty-three years of age and very huge in height.
She makes me do things for her and when I don't, she takes my stuff, I've tried reporting her but nothing was done.
Nora: OK, have you tried avoiding her?
Jones : ( sits up) hmm... No! Not really
Nora: Well how about you try avoiding her throughout this week and let's see if she gets the message but if she doesn't I'll handle it my way
Jones: you are sure?
Nora: yes. Now how about I order something for us to eat
Jones: That would be nice
(doorbell rings...)
Jones: I think my mom's here!
Nora: Or it could be the pizza guy, I'll go check
(...she walks down the stairs then to the living room and opens the door...)
Nora: Jones?
Jones: am here already (standing at Nora's back with her school bag) I told you it was my mom (chuckles)
Mrs. Jones: you seem happy today! are you okay?
Jones :(smiles and steps out of the door) mom please can miss Nora be the one picking me up from school?
Mrs. Jones : (looks at Nora) well if that's fine by her?
Nora: yea it's cool by me
Jones: thank you (hugs her mom)
Mrs. Jones: c'mon let's go
(...Jones enters her mom's black Toyota Camry and drives off...)
Nora : (Closes the door, enters into her living room, and falls on the couch) " I need some shut-eye".