A place of Love and Concern

After Laila had told Maria about Noah's initial reaction to her suggestion of being friends with Jake, and she had answered Maria's follow-up questions on the topic, it had become her turn. As soon as she finished her last answer and she felt there were no other questions Maria could ask, Laila asked the question that had been on her mind. "I have to ask Maria, are you sure it is okay for you to accept the role of Steve's live-in nurse? I mean, how are you able to stay here and take care of Steve? I thought you had used up all of your remaining vacation days to come here and stay with me? So, how are you now suddenly able to take an additional two to three weeks off without any advance notice? Is it because you are taking unpaid leave to help Steve during his recovery or something?"

Without making eye contact with Laila, while pretending to be busy with some pots and pans, Maria answered in a nonchalant tone, "No, I quit." Laila was shocked and expressed that with a loud, "Ehh? You quit??!" Again Maria seemed unaffected and shrugged her shoulders as she said in a calm tone, "Well, what else was I supposed to do? I asked them if there was any way for me to stay here a bit longer, but they told me 'no'. They said that I had to come back because they were counting on me for several shifts. Even when I explained what had happened and told them that it was an emergency, they wouldn't budge. As a last resort I told them that I was willing to take unpaid leave in order to stay here, but they told me that if I didn't come in on Monday, that I could stay on my unpaid leave for however long I liked. Because if I didn't show up for my shift, I could consider myself without a job and wouldn't have to return at all. So, I said, "I guess I am without a job then" and hung up."

Laila was fully surprised by what Maria had said. She couldn't believe the bold decision Maria had made. Though Maria had gone through her fair share of jobs, Laila didn't remember a time where her friend had been without one at all. Her making this sacrifice and accepting the uncertainty of what she would be coming home to, all for the sake of being able to take care of Steve, this showed Laila a level of dedication she didn't think Maria would have yet for him. "That is a brave decision you made there and I for one am proud of you for making it. You took a leap of faith there and I think that Steve is definitely a person who is worth a risk like that." Maria finally looked up at Laila and smiled as she nodded as she said, "I think so too."

Laila took a seat on a chair on the other side of the kitchen island and looked at Maria as she began preparing their meal. While her friend cooked, Laila continued asking her the questions that seemed to slowly enter her mind. "Do you have some money saved up? Will you be able to still pay for your monthly expenses?" Maria shrugged her shoulders and said, "I guess I have some money put aside. I'll have to see how long it will last me." Laila could recognize Maria's brave face as no other and knew that her words were just a front. Her being so vague about things meant that she didn't have a dime to spare and that she probably really needed this job that she so easily gave up. And how could she, she was still in the middle of repaying her brother's debts and those that she obtained over the years because of her previous selfish boyfriends.

So, without arguing with Maria about what she had said, which didn't sound very convincing, she asked, "I see. Have you told Steve about losing your job?" Maria shook her head and said, "No, I didn't want him to feel guilty over this. What is the point of me losing my job to take care of him, if I end up making him feel worse and have him worry over me, instead of the other way around." Laila nodded, but in her mind, she was planning on involving Steve as she knew that he would take care of her without a second thought, just like Maria was taking care of him and knowingly losing her job to do so. He had plenty of money to spare and it was only right that he would compensate Maria for taking care of him around the clock, especially if that care meant that she couldn't earn a living elsewhere. Plus, if he was anything like Noah, he would not be amused if he found out later on that she was struggling because of something related to him.

Just like that both friends had decided on talking to each other's partners, without the other knowing. Both coming from a place of love and concern. Both trying to do what is best for the other.