Chapter 4 (The fight)

Grandma D, worried about Aunty Dorathy's arrival, was a little upset with Lucia for opening the door and not knowing the difference between her mum's voice and Dorathy's. "You shouldn't have opened the door for her. She causes menace everywhere she goes," Grandma said. "I didn't know it was her. If I knew, you and I both know nothing on earth would make me open the door," Lucia replied. "No problem. Just hurry up, get ready, and start going to school. When your mum comes back, I'll tell her what we discussed, okay?" "Yes ma," replied Lucia. After eating, bathing, and dressing up, she left for school. On her way to school, Lucia met her mum. She waved at her with a smile. Her mum, seeing that she was in a hurry, thought to herself, Should I call her to ask how she's doing? Or should I wait until she gets back from school? "No... Let me call her back."

"Lucia! Lucia!!" She turned back and saw her mum standing exactly where she had passed. Lucia immediately went to her. "Hi Mummy, I'm running late for school already." "I know, my child. How are you today? How was your night?"

Lucia, feeling unsure about how to respond, just said, "It was fine, but not totally fine. Aunty Dorathy is at the house right now." Miss Theresa was surprised and doubted Lucia. "Are you sure? How do you know it's Dorathy?" "Have you forgotten? You and Grandma always talk about her. Plus, you have her pictures at home." Coming to terms with the reality, Miss Theresa said, "Oh, that's true. But she never informed me she was coming. Why is she in Florida again?" she wondered to herself. "Ma, I'll meet you when I get back from school. But for now, I need to hurry," Lucia said. "Okay, my daughter. Have a nice day at school, and don't let what others do make you feel less. Be the brave girl I've always known." "Okay, Mum," she replied and ran off toward her school premises.

Lucia got to school a few minutes late. She was nervous and hoped for a peaceful day. As she walked to her class, Patricia saw her entering the hallway. "Hi Lucia. I hope you're not upset with me, please." Lucia, who didn't want to talk to anyone, just nodded. "No, I'm not." She kept walking, but Patricia continued following her, bubbling with questions. "Do you know I felt really bad about what happened to you yesterday? I had a terrible day after being bad to you. It's not like I meant to hurt you. I just didn't want things to get complicated. I've been in detention for two weeks because of those naughty girls, and I didn't want that to happen again. If the teacher saw me helping you, the whole class would have turned against me. I'm very sorry." "It's okay. You don't need to explain yourself to me. What's happened has happened, and there's nothing we can do to change it. I felt bad too, but that's that. I don't hold any grudge against you or the others." "Okay Lucia, thanks a lot. You're the best." Patricia hugged her, and they both went to class.

When they entered, the whole class stared at them like they were lost sheep. Lucia stared back in fear. One part of her wanted to go back home, but another part was ready to face the world, no matter how cruel it was. She fearfully walked to the last row, hoping no one would disturb her peace. Once she had settled and no teacher had come yet, Patricia came to her seat. "Hope you're good?" she asked. "Yes, I'm fine. Just waiting for the maths teacher." "You want him to come?" Patricia asked. "Yes, I do. Why?" Lucia replied. "Nothing much. I just don't want him to come 'cause I barely understand what he says. Besides, I hate maths." Maths? Lucia thought. A compulsory subject? Why do 80% of students dislike maths? There's literally nothing scary about it it's part of our everyday lives. Everything in the world involves calculations. The maths teacher finally came in, and everyone went to their seats. He began writing the day's topic on the board when someone distracted him. "Who is that?" he asked, turning toward the door. Jason raised his hand from outside and was allowed to come in. When Lucia saw him, she looked at him with admiration. This time, she had a clearer view of him.bJason from St. Peter's Street in my school? Jason was in Grade 11 and the school's social prefect.

"Hi everyone. Those interested in joining the cheer team should come to the field for auditions," he announced. Turning to the teacher, he said, "Thanks a lot, sir, for your permission." "You're welcome," replied the teacher. Jason exited the classroom. Knock! Knock!! Knock!!! "Who's at the door?" Grandma D shouted from the kitchen. Before she could get there, Dorathy had already opened the door for Miss Theresa. "Hi Tescy, where have you been all day?" asked Dorathy. "Work," she replied. "Welcome home, my daughter. How was work?" "It was fine, ma," Miss Theresa responded.

After greeting her daughter, Grandma went back to the kitchen. Miss Theresa headed to her room to bathe before eating. She was already tired from yesterday's work. After eating, she went to take a nap but struggled to sleep. She got up after a while and went to the sitting room. As she approached, she saw Dorathy eating with the hunger of someone who had been running from the police for six months. "Calm down, girl. Don't rush your meal like that." Dorathy looked up. "Oh, Theresa. It's been long since I had a good meal. You won't understand." "I won't understand what exactly? You could choke from the way you're eating. And if you do, I'll be the one blamed." "Hahahaha! You're funny, Theresa," Dorathy laughed. Theresa looked at her seriously. "When did you arrive in Florida, and why are you here?"

Dorathy stayed silent for more than five minutes. Theresa, eager to know, repeated, "I asked a question, and I need answers. Why are you here, and when did you arrive in Florida?" Dorathy dropped her food angrily. "Will you let me finish this meal in peace?" "I'm not stopping you from eating. I just need answers," Theresa replied calmly. Instead of explaining, Dorathy went off-topic. "I'm an adult. I can go wherever I want. Coming here isn't a crime. I just came to ease my stress and stay far away from family."

"Stay away from family or stay away from rehab, so you can keep living a careless life?" Theresa asked. "I don't understand you. What's your business with how I live my life? It's not like yours is better. A prostitute calling an addict wayward?" Dorathy burst out laughing. "You went to work all night. Which godly woman sleeps at work all night? Guess who? You, Theresa. And now you call me wayward?" Grandma D, hearing the loud argument, ran toward the sitting room. But she slipped and hit her head on the tiles. She began bleeding heavily. Will Grandma D be okay? Will Dorathy leave the house? Sit tight to find out what happens next…