CHAPTER 3: Greed

Trymore stumbled, almost falling to the ground. He balanced himself with a wall, then gulped the last remains of his beer and burped loudly. He used the wall to balance himself as he walked back inside the hut where the beer was being sold. He made his way to the brewing pot where a middle-aged woman was sitting.

She glared at him, looking at him up and down, daring him with her eyes. Everyone knew that Trymore only wanted to drink but never paid. He wanted to drink for free.

"I need a 5 liter of beer. I will give you the money next week. How much is it?"

The woman clicked her tongue. "You think i don't know that you will not pay? My beer is not for free. Go and try somewhere else." She turned and served another customer.

"Isn't it i told you that i will give you your money next week? Just give me the beer."

The woman turned, her face twisted in annoyance. "Next week? You have been saying that for months, Trymore. I am not running a charity here. If you want beer, you pay for it. No exceptions."

Trymore huffed, frustrated. He didn't even know why this woman was giving him a hard time. It's not like her beer was the best in the village. He had tatsted better, way better than hers.

He leaned in, his voice taking a whining tone. "But Mai Ano, please... just this once. I will pay double next week. I promise." He would have to search Rutendo's room first. That girl always had money, but she always hid it. He was her father. He brought her into this world. He carried her in his sacks from the moment he was born. He should get a little compansation, at least, but Rutendo was just like her mother. He almost clicked his tongue.

Mai Ano let out a mocking laughter. "You will pay double with what money? Everyone in the village knows that all you do with your wife is drink and fight. You are so poor, you can't even afford a 1kg of salt. You even smell of poverty. You think we don't know that your daughter is the one who feeds you? Get out here before i have you thrown out. You are disturbing my other customers."

He muttered under his breath and turned to leave, bumping into someone on the way.

"Watch where you are, go.... Oh, Frank. How are you doing?" Trymore said, flashing a smile.

"How are you, Trymore? What's going on here?" Frank asked.

Mai Ano smiled. "Oh, he was just leaving. What can i get you today?"

"She is refusing to sell me beer. I told her i would pay her next week, but she thinks i am lying." Trymore said, his speech slurred.

"I need a bucket. And get someone to bring it outside under the mangoe tree." He said and led Trymore outside.

They sat on the benches under the tree, laughter and chattering filling the air.

"So, Trymore, what's going on? Why is Mai Ano refusing to sell you beer?"

He huffed, still feeling annoyed. "She thinks i won't pay her. But i will, i promise. I just need a little credit, that's all."

Frank chuckled. "Don't worry. I will fix it, but i wanted to talk to you first."

"What is it?"

"I am looking for someone to help me in the shop, and i think Rutendo might be the right person for the job. You have to admit that it is better than working in people's farms." He knew what she did. He knew that she was the one who took care of her family. After meeting her a few days ago, he wasn't able to rest. He wanted her, and he was going to do everything he could to get her. He could already imagine her as his third wife, carrying his child.

Trymore's eyes lit up at the mention of money. He would finally show these people that he was not poor. He would be drinking real beer, not this one that made him grow a potbelly. Wait until they saw him drinking English beer.

"When will she start?" He asked as a young boy approached them carrying a bucket full of traditional beer. Trymore rubbed his hands together, smiling. Now, this was the kind of person he wanted to associate himself with.

"Even tomorrow if she agrees."

"She will be there. Who would refuse to work in a shop? I will personally make sure that she is there tomorrow morning."

Frank took a cup and dipped it into the bucket, filling it with the frothy beer. He handed the cup to Trymore, who took a long swig, savoring the taste.

"Ah, this is good beer." Trymore said, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

Frank smiled, taking a sip from his own cup. "I'm glad you like it. So, I'll expect Rutendo tomorrow morning, then?"

Trymore nodded, already seeing himself with a bottle of amarula. With Rutendo working at Frank's shop, he would finally have a steady income. He would no longer have to beg people for this nonsense. He would finally have the life he deserved. Who knew having a daughter would be this sweet? All he had to do was have a daughter for his life to change.

"Don't worry, Frank. Rutendo will be there. I'll make sure of it." Trymore said, taking another swig of beer.

**

Later that night, Trymore sang loudly going to his house, with a 5 liter of leftover beer in his hand. He felt so dizzy, his vision was blurred, and he would fall after a few steps.

He sang louder as he knocked on the door. "Rutendo, my daughter. God has finally answered our prayers. I found you a job. A good job. All the girls in this village are going to envy you." He laughed, balancing himself before he fell. "Come and open for your father, my princess."

Minutes later, the door cracked open, and Rutendo stood in the doorway, a look of concern on her face. "Baba, what's wrong? You're drunk again." It wasn't anything new. What was new was the bucket of beer in his hands. He never came carrying anything before.

Trymore grinned, holding up the 5-litre bucket of beer. "I've got good news, my daughter! I found you a job! A good job fit for a beautiful girl like you. You're going to work for Frank, at his shop!"

Rutendo's expression changed from concern to alarm. "What? Baba, no! I don't want to work for Frank!" She didn't trust that old man. She still remembered his nasty comments from their last encounter.

Trymore stumbled forward, almost falling into the house. "Ah, come on, Rutendo. It's a good job! You'll be earning money, and we'll finally be able to live a good life! You will stop slaving in people's farms, and you will be able to take care of your little brother. Don't you want Mike to have a good life? Imagine how that would change our lives."

Rutendo's eyes narrowed. "What did Frank promise you, Baba? What did he give you?"

Trymore's grin faltered, and he looked away, ashamed. "He...he just promised me that you'll be taken care of, that's all."

Rutendo's face fell, and she shook her head. "Baba, you didn't. You didn't sell me out, did you? He is the one who bought you that beer, isn't it?"

"Is it wrong to just want a good life for your children? You are just your mother, nxla. You are going to work, and that's final. I can't be suffering when i have children."

"Baba, no..."

Trymore raised his hand, stopping her from talking. "Don't make me angry. I am going to sleep." He staggered to his bedroom.

Rutendo looked around the room and sighed. It wasn't even long since her mother almost died, and now her father wanted her to work in Frank's shop. She didn't trust that old man. There was just something about him that made her cringe, but the offer was good.

If she worked hard enough, she would be able to change their situation at home. Mike will finally fit in at school. She would finally buy herself nice clothes and pads. She would do a lot of things with the money. A small smile formed on her lips. Maybe it wasn't such a bad idea. She sighed, going to her room.

**

The next morning, Rutendo finished getting ready and walked to the kitchen where Mike was eating his porridge.

"Finish up, baby, or you are going to be late."

"Sis Ruru, handisi mwana ini." He said, a frown on his face. (I am not a baby.)

Tendo chuckled. "Okay, Mr. i am not a baby. Finish up."

"I am full." He said, pushing his plate away. Tendo washed the plate, and they left. She had already cooked. When her mother wakes up, she will have something to eat and drink her pills. She ended up buying pills for her with the money she got from the chief's wife. Her mother's wound was bad, but she used salt and warm water to clean it. Hopefully, it was going to heal.

She dropped Mike at school and went straight to Frank's shop. She was a bit early but he was already there, waiting for her.

Frank smiled as Rutendo approached the shop, his eyes lingering on her body in a way that made her feel uncomfortable. "Good morning, Rutendo. You're right on time. I like punctuality in my employees."

Rutendo nodded, feeling a bit nervous. "Good morning, Mr Frank."

Frank chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Just call Frank. You know, Rutendo, you're quite the beauty. I'm surprised you're not already married off to some young man in the village."

Tendo's frown deepened. "I am only 14. Why would i be married?"

Frank's smile grew wider. "I like them young.... i mean, of course. I just like to get to know my employees, that's all. Now, let's get started on your training. I'll show you how to manage the shop, handle customers... and how to deal with difficult people."

Frank began to explain the intricacies of running the shop, and Rutendo listened intently, trying to ignore the way Frank's eyes seemed to linger on her body. She was determined to learn as much as she could, but she couldn't shake off the feeling that Frank was hiding something beneath his friendly demeanor.

And then, just as she was starting to relax, Frank dropped a comment that made her skin crawl. "You know, Rutendo, you're very lucky to have me as your employer. Not many people would be willing to hire a girl like you... with your background."

Rutendo's eyes flashed with anger, but she bit back her retort, reminding herself that she needed this job. She sighed, wondering if she made the right decision by choosing to work for Frank.