Chapter 2

~~AMAKA~~

"Maureen, you know that I cannot put Jason in school now. He is a baby, and I don't want to force books into his head," I said, looking back at my best friend and her "small husband" in her arms.

"Don't mind your mother. I will put you in school, okay? There's a preschool here for small children, so I will go there with you now," Maureen said to Jason, and he smiled at her.

"Thanks, Aunt," he said.

"You're welcome, sweetie," she replied and told him to wait, while she prepared his bath for his new school.

"Maureen, you cannot be serious. Jason is my son, and I get to decide for him," I told her.

As her mother had another room, Maureen and I shared her room. Although I could move out and get an apartment of my own, I didn't want to be selfish.

I was able to go for a part-time training in business class with Maureen's mother's help. She looked after Jason for me until he was able to walk.

My family didn't want to have anything to do with me. Well, maybe now that they saw I was well off on my own. My mother phoned me last week and claimed she wanted to know how I was, and if I still had the baby.

Unbelievable. I gritted my teeth and ended the call on her. My mother didn't need to know about her grandchild. I am 22 years old now, and I don't need such parents as grandparents for Jason.

They would never welcome him or love him like Maureen's mother does. Although, she encouraged Maureen not to fall pregnant like I did, as Maureen and I were the same age and fair in complexion.

Likewise, Maureen is in a relationship with a good man from around here. He owns a small business that has become global, and now he is set to marry Maureen and take her off to the city.

As her wedding was still pending, her groom had arrived with his family, and I watched with teary eyes how my best friend got engaged to the love of her life.

But I kept remembering Joseph Ericson and the silly promises he made to me. After that night he slept with me, he never contacted me again. I searched for his home address after my parents threw me out, but the harsh reality hit me hard.

Joseph and his parents had packed out, and none of their neighbours knew where the affluent family was living.

"You shouldn't worry, Amaka. Jason is my son, as I was there on the day he was born and also watching him grow up. So I am his big aunt and mommy too, while my mom is his godmother," Maureen smiled.

"Fine. I have to hurry up for this business interview I told you about. You know I want to have another job to support us now that you will be getting married. I plan to move out too, and get a new apartment so that you can go to your new house with your mom," I told Maureen. She was done folding out Jason's beautiful clothes, as she intended to take him to a new school.

I knew my son wanted to go to school. He saw other kids around going to school, but I wanted him to grow up a bit more before taking him.

"My mom wouldn't send you away, even if I am going with my husband tomorrow, Amaka. Why do you worry about irrelevant things? "Anyway, you're running late, and Jason will be late for school, so I have to hurry up and take him. You know, as a new student, he will need to do a lot of registration. What surname should I file for him?" Maureen asked me as I was done applying a little pink gloss on my pink lips.

I donned a red top and black skirt, understanding that the company doesn't approve of trousers. Although I didn't want to discuss my son's dad with her, I knew that Joseph would get to meet Jason one day, so long as he was still alive and in the city. It wasn't far from where Maureen's mother lived.

After I was sent away from my parents' home, I had called Maureen on the phone, knowing that she was the only good friend I had, before her mother relocated to the city.

But then, they had those billionaires living on one side of the city, while the working-class people like us lived in another busy area. That was why I wanted my son to grow up before putting him in school. It was so busy around here.

"Just his name, Jason," I said, not wanting to mention my father's surname. My father said that my child wasn't his, so I should take my baby to his father. But Joseph had blocked me online. Even though I had his younger brother's profile page, we hadn't chatted since the last time I introduced myself to him as Joseph's girlfriend.

I didn't want to ask Aaron about Joseph. I was heartbroken that Joseph blocked me online and told me to get rid of his sperm. It was so traumatic.

"You must be joking, Amaka. You're Amaka Richard, and I think your son has a full birth name. That reminds me-Jason Ericson. So deal with the fact that you got pregnant by someone, and your child has to bear his father's surname in case of tomorrow," Maureen said as she stripped off Jason's pyjamas to help him have his bath.

"Fine. Just name Jason whatever you want as his surname, but know that I don't have anything to do with his dad again," I said.

Maureen replied, "I know. You should get going, as I heard that new company, J. E. Global, is strict. You shouldn't get late and miss your chances of securing a job with them. It will help with your studies and online job too."

"Fine." I wore my black shoes beside the bed and waved goodbye to my son, as I clutched my black bag.

Once I got out of the room, I came across Mrs. Ann Austin. She was a good woman and Maureen's mother, too.

"Good morning, Ma." I greeted her, and she smiled at me. "Morning, my dear. Are you going out?"

"Yes, Ma," I replied, and she asked, "Wouldn't you have breakfast first? There is still time. Or is it school that you're going to?"

"No, Ma. I am going for a new job interview, but it's far from here, so I have to get a bus to take me to the area," I said.

"Will you be going to the Island?" she asked.

"No, Ma, I'm not going there. Still on the mainland. It's a new branch office," I said.

"Okay. But still have your breakfast so that you appear sharp at work," she advised.

"Okay, Ma," I agreed and went to the kitchen to prepare my tea.

"What of Maureen? Has she left the house too?" Mrs. Ann asked me, walking into the kitchen to meet me.

"No, Ma. Maureen is in her room, preparing Jason for school."

"Oh!" Mrs. Ann smiled with understanding and nodded her head. "Maureen loves Jason so much, and now she will soon be going to her husband's house. I wonder how she will cope-maybe she'll take Jason along with her."

I smiled and drank my tea. "Maybe." I didn't know. Maureen may want to take my son with her.