The Price of Two Minutes
The first sunlight, not strong, barely went through dirt on the kitchen window when she woke up. The house was quiet, her family was fast asleep. But she couldn't shake off the strong feelings from the night before. As she put on her old worn out diner shoes, an idea started to form, it was a small idea but full of potential and promise. Mrs. Abernathy, the diner owner's wife, was always complaining about being stressed. Maybe, just maybe, Lisa could offer to run some errands for her, a few hours of work in exchange for a small amount of money that is valuable. It wouldn't be easy, but it might work. The diner might be a potential source of income.
As she arrived at Mrs. Abernathy's house, the screen door automatically opened, and Mrs. Abernathy emerged, leaning heavily on her cane. "Lisa, dear! You're a lifesaver," she said, her voice a little breathless. "I don't know what I would have done without you."
"Can you drive, dear?" Mrs. Abernathy asked, her eyes searching Lisa's.
Lisa, wanting to sound confident, retorted "Yes Ma'am!"
Mrs. Abernathy smiled. "Good, good. I need to get to the hospital. Doctor's appointment. And then, if you wouldn't mind, a few errands as well?" She sighed, a sound like air leaking from a tire. "I'm just so tired lately. Everything feels like such an effort."
Lisa helped Mrs. Abernathy into her old Buick. The car smelled like a mix of mothballs and old perfume, a scent Lisa always associated with and reminded her of her late grandma. The seats were covered in plastic, cracked in places, and stuck to the back of Lisa's legs even through her jeans. As Lisa drove, Mrs. Abernathy started talking, her voice soft but steady.
"You know, Lisa," she said, "I see you working so hard at the diner. You remind me of myself when I was younger. Always hustling, always trying to make something of myself." She paused, looking out the window. "But don't forget to enjoy life, dear. Don't let work consume you. There's more to life than just making money."
Lisa glanced at Mrs. Abernathy, surprised. "But how else are you supposed to get ahead?" she asked, the question hanging in the air.
Mrs. Abernathy chuckled, a dry, raspy sound. "Getting ahead isn't everything, Lisa. Sometimes, it's about finding happiness in the little things. A good cup of coffee, a sunny day, a kind word from a friend, a little trip, some vacation. Those are the things that really matter." She paused, then added, "And don't let anyone tell you that you're not good enough. You're a smart, capable young woman, Lisa. Don't let anyone dim your light."
"Ma'am we are here" Lisa replied their conversation got interrupted when getting to the hospital, after seeing the doctor, the doctor prescribed some medications for them to get.
She asked Lisa to also take her to the pharmacy to get the drugs, they also went to the supermarket to get some groceries, Lisa also took her to the shopping mall to get some clothes and other stuffs she took her around and went for a walk as she requested, after getting it home it was already 9:30 Am, Mrs. Abernathy gave Lisa thirty dollars, and whispered thank you,Lisa.
I was so happy, that I couldn't hide my excitements, I kneeled down holding onto Mrs, Abernathy's leg and thanked her so much, Because I wasn't expecting that much, thank you so much Ma'am "Lisa exclaimed," but she replied "I should be the one thanking you, dear." Thank you so much my child for your time and help today, Lisa almost teared up from excitement "I wasn't expecting this" with a calm and tearing eyes.
I have to rush home to freshen up because I don't want to be late for work "Lisa retorted happily" Lisa hummed a tuneless melody as she gathered her things for work, a smile playing on her lips. The thirty dollars felt like a weight in her pocket, a promise of possibilities.Mrs Abernathy gave her today. She smiled, her face brightened up, her eyes filled with excitement, Lisa said to herself "Today is my Happiest day"
"When was the last time I was so happy like this"? She exclaimed .As I arrived at work with excitement on my face and it also shows in my expression even everyone noticed it and they were all staring at me even my Boss noticed it,
Everyone noticed how happier and delightful she was her today, she was even singing while taking orders, Her first delivery was to go Asheville to deliver a takeout order, even it her first time taking a special order, "but" I wasn't bothered because I was Lost in happiness, She went without even asking anything about the Order.
The drive to Asheville was a blur of highway and billboards, Lisa's mind racing with a mix of excitement and nerves. She hoped this delivery would impress Mr. Lee and lead to more opportunities."
Mr Lee is the third generation richest man in the city of lay Asheville, a very strict man that take no nonsense, he hates lateness or in any of his businesses being delay, Mr Lee is a tall handsome and Attractive man, anytime he passes all the women and men turn to look at him, His gaze make people fall in love with him. Once he arrived with his tailored suit,everywhere went silent. They all dropped everything they had on them quietly and all gazed at him.
Lisa has to rush to lay in Asheville to deliver lunch. As Lisa gets to the Company everyone looks tense and worried as if something big has happened , that's because Mr Lee has been asking for the takeout he ordered and it has not yet been delivered yet. And anytime this the company, the office is always on the hot-seat
She was confused and thinking about what is going on here and also because it's her first time handling a VIP order and doesn't know the rules.
Mr Lee has a secretary who is so diligent and also full of herself "Joyce Meyer" she is the secretary of Microfinance Company of Mr Lee she is beautiful and also arrogant and also stubborn and doesn't listen to anyone except for her Boss Mr Lee, All she does was to impress her Boss making looks like she's the only one for him, more standard, more qualified more then anybody else. She always feels insecure anytime she sees a new face thinking they are here to get close and take what was hers, "Which was never hers at all" She is crazy in-love with him she call herself the "Future wife of the CEO Mr. Lee."Lisa was still trying to process what is happening she brushed it off, went straight to where she will the order,
Lisa was tying her shoelaces when a tall figure suddenly appeared, blocking her path. She encountered her at the place where she was supposed to drop the order
"Why are you late"?, With an angry voice when she raised her head up to know who is there, her gaze was so scary and she looks so mad "Joyce Meyer"
Lisa replied, "Late"?
"Yes Late, two minutes late Joyce retorted,"
Joyce was so angry and started shouting and insulting Lisa. "You this dirty thing, I don't know why all these countries bumpkin, never follow the rules, never do what 's right at the right time, look at you, look how smelly you are and you still have the guts to come late, ugly this thing."
"Get the hell out of here."
Lisa's face flushed crimson. The words hit her like a slap, each insult a sharp sting. Country bumpkin? Smelly? Ugly thing? She wanted to defend herself, to tell this woman that she worked hard, that she was doing her best. But the words caught in her throat, choked by a sudden wave of shame, she couldn't say anything, couldn't get the word out. She felt her hands trembling as she clutched the takeout order, the paper bag crinkling in her grasp.
Joyce's voice seemed to echo in the hallway, bouncing off the polished walls. Lisa could feel the eyes of the other employees on her, their stares burning into her skin. She wanted to disappear, to melt into the floor and vanish from sight.
Why is she doing this? Lisa wondered, her mind racing. Is it because I'm late? Is it because of how I look? Am I not good enough?. What did I do to deserve this? She had never encountered such blatant cruelty before. Back in her small town, people were generally kind and respectful, even when they disagreed. But here, in this gleaming office building, surrounded by wealth and power, she felt like an outsider, a nobody.
Lisa's breath came in shallow gasps, and her vision blurred with unshed tears. She bit down on her lip trying to stop herself from crying. I won't let her see me cry, she thought . I'm stronger than this.
Without a word, Lisa turned and walked away, her head held high. She ignored the stares of the other employees, focusing on putting one foot in front of the other. As she stepped out of the building, she took a deep breath of fresh air, trying to clear her head up.
I need to get away from here, she thought. I need to be alone.
Her legs carried her almost without conscious thought, turning towards the familiar path that led to the park. The scent of pine needles and damp earth beckoned, a promise of quiet and solitude on the outskirts of town, a place where she often went to escape the pressures of her life. Maybe, just maybe, she could find some peace and quiet there.
As she walked towards the park, Lisa couldn't shake off the sting of Joyce's words. They echoed in her mind, each insult a fresh wound. She felt like a failure, like she would never be good enough.
But as she reached the park gates, Lisa made a decision. She wouldn't let Joyce's words define her. She would prove her wrong. She would show her that she was strong, capable, and worthy of respect.
With newfound determination, Lisa stepped through the gates and into the park, ready to face whatever the future held.
Lisa made a decision: she would find a way to speak directly to Mr. Lee and explain what happened.
To Be Continued...