Hey everyone. I hope you’re having a great weekend so far. Time to make it a little bit better with the next chapter of our new book, What Would You Do. So, let’s keep this short and sweet and dive into Chapter 2.
Chapter 2
Tessa Rhodes walked into the house, her black hair a messy braid, with strands falling out. Kicking off her shoes, she headed into the kitchen, the smell of homemade buns causing her stomach to growl.
“I’m home. Something smells good.” Her mother, a short but slender woman, turned to greet her daughter, flour covering her face and flecked in her brown hair, which she had thrown up in a messy bun. A younger girl, her brown hair in two braids, came running over, hugging her big sister.
“Tessa, I helped make them. Come see.” Smiling, the teen followed her younger sister to the table, their mother coming to join them, hugging her eldest daughter. “See, I made these ones here. Mommy helped though.” Tessa grinned at her mother.
“I think you got a little too helpful.” She turned back to her sister. “They look and smell delicious, Susie. Are we going to have them with our supper?” She nodded, then frowned.
“You and mommy need to get cleaned up first. No dinner until you do.” The four year old giggled at them and then ran to the door as they heard it open and close. “Daddy!” John Rhodes came into the kitchen holding his youngest daughter in his strong arms, neither seeming to mind the grease stains on his hands and clothes. Tessa went over to kiss her father on the cheek.
“Welcome home dad. I’m claiming the shower first, before you get everything greasy.”
What Would You Do
The Rhodes family sat around their kitchen table, clasped hands and John said grace before they began to eat. It was a humble meal of some soup and buns. The Rhodes were poor, and they were struggling to pay their bills. John worked as a mechanic at one of the smaller garages, while his wife, Amanda, worked part time as a hair dresser. To help them pay their bills Tessa had gotten a part time job at the local diner. Now in summer, she was taking on more shifts. She looked over at her younger sister, her heart breaking as she watched her eat. The youngest Rhodes member had been sick for a few months, and just recently they discovered the cause. A brain tumour.
Susie didn’t quite understand what was happening, but she knew she was sick. The family had banded together to begin payment for her treatments. Their insurance just wasn’t enough to cover the costs. She was scheduled for surgery in just a few days and the family was doing their best to make sure she wasn’t scared. The tumour was aggressive and she would require chemotherapy afterwards. Another large bill that the family would have to deal with. Tessa had contemplated dropping out of school and working full time, but her parents forbade it.
Chapter 2
After dinner Tessa cleaned up while her mother went to give Susie a bath. John looked through the ads on the family computer. He had been trying to find a second job to help pay for Susie’s medical bills, but was not having much luck. His boss at the garage had apologised when he asked for full time hours. Because they were a smaller garage, they didn’t get as much business. He didn’t have more hours to give the worried father. Running a hand through his black hair, he let out a sigh that told Tessa he was not having much luck. She walked over and peered over his shoulder. The job he was looking at was high paying, but her father didn’t have the proper qualifications.
“Why not let me drop out of school and find a full time job?” He shook his head, his blue eyes meeting hers.
“Tess, sweetheart, we’ve been over this. You have to stay in school. You stand a great chance at getting a scholarship, and getting a great education.” She blinked rapidly, her blue eyes shining as tears formed.
“Who cares about my future when Susie’s in jeopardy? I want to help save my sister.” John stood up, pulling her into a hug as she cried. He still smelled of gasoline and oil, but Tessa didn’t care. Her dad was her hero.
“Tess, I know you want to help. And you are. You haven’t kept a single paycheck for yourself and you are wasting your summer away by working full time instead of going out. I will find a way. It’s going to be okay.” He blinked back his own tears, trying to stay strong for his daughter. John would never admit it, but he was terrified of losing his youngest daughter to cancer. But the fear that gnawed at him more than that was the fear that it would be because they couldn’t afford treatments. He kept that fear to himself, especially because of how guilty Tessa felt for not having a better job.
What Would You Do
Amanda rose early the next morning, as she always did. Slipping quietly out of bed, she showered and got dressed. She would be working at the salon that day and hoped no clients cancelled. It was going to be a full and busy day and she needed every single client. Before she curled her hair she peeked in on Susie. The young girl was still fast asleep, snoring like a bear. Amanda smiled and then headed back to the bathroom to do her hair and makeup before going to the kitchen and starting the coffee. Glancing in the fridge, her heart dropped. They needed groceries badly. Sighing, she pulled out the milk and grabbed a box of cereal from the cupboard. John joined her in the kitchen as she was halfway through her bowl.
“Good morning dear. Do you have a busy day today?” John shook his head, holding up his cell phone.
“Earl just texted me. There’s not enough work and because the other guys have higher qualifications, that means I don’t get to come in. We can cancel the babysitter. I’ll stay home with Susie.” Amanda bit her lower lip. This was the third shift this month that John had lost. Seeing the worry on her face, he walked over and kissed her. “Don’t worry. While Susie is napping I’ll keep looking for another job. There has to be something out there. We don’t give up, okay?” She nodded, blinking back tears.
“Maybe I should see if I can get more hours at the salon. We could use the money.” John sighed, the guilt at not being able to provide eating away at him.
“You and Tessa both seem determined to try and make more money. Let’s not do that just yet. Give me a bit more time, okay?”
What Would You Do
Man, the Rhodes family live a very different life than the Steel family we met in Chapter 1. Chapter 2 is a bit heavy, but don’t dramas need some sort of tragedy to focus on? Honestly, I don’t know. I’m using my blogs to see if I can write something other than fantasy. So, with chapter 2 done, we now get ready for Chapter 3 next week. Have a great rest of your weekend and I’ll see you Monday.
