by Gloria Obizu
Really!
Oh yes! She is a Doctor now. Not a doctor of medicine but she holds a PHD in Nursing and I hear she is as smart as an owl. I never liked Math but because of her, I picked up interest and she encourages me a whole lot.
I knew that babe was up to something!
Yeah! “One Hundred Great American Women Achievers,” Dr. Denyse Jacobs reporting for duty, Carissa said and both of them laughed for a while.
You gonna be one of them soon, ha? Isabel said.
Still working on it! My RN first, and then I’ll go for my Masters. Fortunately I’ve got my man with me.
That kind of makes it easier, ha? Know what I think, Isabel asked rhetorically. May be this is the way our lives were meant to play out, understand? Probably you wouldn’t have met your husband if I didn’t leave the time I did.
Who knows! The silver lining thing back again, ha? You may be right!
Baby! My greatest wish right now is that you’ll stay here with me till I go but then your family needs you more than I do.
I know! Don’t worry! I’ll always be here ‘cause you aren’t going anywhere. I’m sure my family will understand you also need me. Is there anything you want me to get you when next I’ll be here?
I can’t think of anything right now. I guess AIDS takes everything from you before it turns around and kills you.
Why can’t they find a cure for this thing? Carissa said.
They need funding. Finding a cure requires a lot of research and that cost lots of money. People need to put out more money in founding for lots and lots of researches on AIDS. Anyways I already have it in mind that when I die, whatever is left in my account and that is if someone could locate my money, should go into finding a cure for AIDS.
I hope you take your meds, ‘cause those in the market these days help a lot. AIDS patients now live a normal like anyone in the society ‘cause it’s something that has come to stay and we must learn to cope.
I know! I pray they make the drugs we have now a whole lot and cheaply available to everyone who needs them. They do help a lot, no doubt. Still AIDs remains a life sentence! So, guys beware!
Carissa bent her head to the floor struggling to control her tears and after a long while, she won. Don’t bug yourself so much with stuff, okay? You need all the strength you can to continue the fight.
Thanks for the encouragement Carissa. But sometimes, I think it would’ve been better I died that day Police shot me at Billy’s, Isabel added.
No! There is a reason for everything. If you ask me I’ll say you stayed alive so we can meet again, get what I’m saying? But remember this; I’ll never lose faith in you, okay? I and my family will be praying for you, alright. We are never gonna leave you lonely. Right now, am gonna call my husband to come pick us up but I’ll always be here to see you. Here is my number, and she wrote it on a piece of paper and handed it over to Isabel. If you need anything, call and I’ll see to it that you get what you want, okay? I’m gonna leave my number with your medical staff too so they can call me whenever they need someone to stand for you, okay?
Thanks a lot babe! When shall I see you again? Isabel asked.
Soon!
Remember, your school work and family always come first, Isabel said.
And you too! Hang in there babe! Hang in there! I’ll be leaving now, okay? Never ever give up the fight, okay? See you soon babe! And as she got up both eyes got soaked with tears but Carissa faced the other way and walked out of the room.
Now she went fetched her daughter and they hurried away. Her husband waited somewhere a little distanced from the hospital and they hurried on.
As they continued walking, Christina said something which mom didn’t grasp immediately. Are you trying to tell me something my love? Her mom asked.
Is that woman with a cart again! Her daughter responded.
What about the woman with a cart?
Mom you didn’t notice but I saw her acting kind of sneaky when we were going to the hospital and here she is again. She never left the same spot for one moment. Look mom! Look at her!
Don’t worry about her, okay? Please let’s hurry! Your dad is waiting. She is just one more of these people that hit the street with all their stuff on a cart and I don’t know why anyone will choose that kind of life.
Is because they are homeless! Mom they are called homeless people ‘cause they can’t afford their own so they need help!
I understand that well enough! I guess what they do is cry for help and if you ask me someone should listen. It is not a funny way to live, not at all.
Look at her mom. Is like she wanna say something to us. I don’t get it!
Looking in the direction of the woman, Carissa thought she looked familiar and beckoned on her daughter to walk faster.
Suddenly, the lady with the cart began crossing the street in haste and Carissa with her daughter could see she was trying to get away from some situation so they now focused their guess on her, watching her every move. The woman tried to steal another look at Carissa like she has been doing but this time their eyes met and for a brief moment, both gazed at each other before the woman with a cart shifted and continued walking. Carissa was almost certain she was looking at Cindy another former roommate, so she stepped up, walking even faster. And just as Carissa was about going after her, green light sparkled. And now from across the divide between them, both stared at each other for another brief moment before the woman with a cart turned away. This person reminds me of Cindy for sure, Carissa whispered to herself but all that she could do for the moment was signal by a wave of her hand which the woman with a cart did not return. Instead she moved as fast as her bad legs could carry her, walking further and further away until she vied into a corner and quickly disappeared from sight.
Just then red came up again and Carissa beckoned on her daughter to hurry. They crossed the street also and were just on time to see the lady with a cart vied into another street and both mother and daughter hurried on and soon caught up with a lady who could barely move her legs and her load. And now, standing face to face with the lady with a cart, Carissa could see she was right. Hi Cindy! She said.
Carissa! Yes! I still recognize you! I saw you earlier but I wasn’t sure it was you. How have you been? Cindy replied..
Great! Great!
Is that your daughter? Continued Cindy
Yeah! You leave around here? Carissa asked.
Babe I live everywhere! Cindy said.
What a pleasant surprise. I came here because of my roommate and ran into another, continued Carissa.
Is no coincidence ‘cause I’m here for the same reason you are here. You know how gossips fly around, don’t you? I heard that babe you used to share apartment with is in that hospital over there and I thought you’ll definitely show up and I’m right. Cindy said.
Why didn’t you stop to say hi then?
I didn’t want to do that ‘cause we were not supposed to meet like this. I didn’t even intend talking to you. How did you recognize me? Cindy continued agitatedly.
Actually my daughter did!
With every new generation they change ha? Cindy continued. Is either they get smatter or more wired. Anyways I must be on my way now. She said turned and continued walking.
Mom who is that? Christina who has been silent asked after a while.
Never mind. But whatever you do, please don’t wind up like that, okay? Carissa said pointing in the direction of the woman with a cart. We need to walk faster now ‘cause your dad has been waiting. Daughter and mom continued in silence until they got to where dad packed his car. Eventually it was a ride filled with stories that took them back home.
Tired Carissa soon fell asleep on a couch. When she came by, she was still not feeling strong enough for evening chorus. Besides she has so much in her mind that
she wanted a quiet time out, so she decided to retire to the bed room upstairs.
Christina!
Mother!
You make sure your dad and brothers get their dinner, okay?
Okay mom!
The home works too. Make sure you guys do them ‘cause I can’t help out today. It’s been a long day and I ‘m not as strong as I used to be.
Don’t worry about it mother, everything will be taken care of. Go get you some rest, okay? Daddy will help us out with the home work.
Don’t forget tomorrow’s lunch pack for everybody!
I thought about that mother and I already planned what I’m gonna make for each of us.
Felix, turn off the TV now and help your sister, okay?
Fine mom! And the TV went off!
Okay then! I’m gonna go ahead and lie down, guys?
Go on mom! Don’t worry about a thing! Mother!!! Christian called out suddenly.
Yes honey!
Whatever I do I’ll never wind up like the lady with a cart. Carissa laughed out loud as she continued on her way upstairs. Christina turned around to face her duties.