Chapter 11 Offer

• DONALD
• “Mommy, will you come to our house tomorrow?” I heard Avala ask Tricia.
• “I don’t think so. I need to work. Any day I’m off duty and I get the chance, I’ll definitely come to your house.”
• This is the right time to tell Avala, disturbing someone all because you think they're your mom is not funny. I can't imagine myself going through hell all because I want to please someone's kid.
• It's pathetic, and I need to put an end to this mess before things gets out hand. Taking a quick glance at Avala's face, I cleared my throat afterwards, the time is now.
• “Avala, we need to talk.'’ I declared, then parked my car decently. “Sweetheart, I know I should have done this earlier, pardon me for taking so long before I opened up to you. Tricia her–'’
• “Sir, we can talk after now, maybe when we're done shopping. What do you think?'’ Tricia interrupts me, winking at me.
• I took Tricia's action as a signal to stop and not go further with what I was about to say.
• “Tricia, you should let me finish, it's now or never. I don't want the this whole drama to keep going on, I want everybody to move on and continue living their lives as it was initially.”
• “I know, and believe me, I want that too. The thing is, i don't want to break anybody's heart just yet.'’ She said with her eyes pleading with me.
• I pity Tricia for so many reasons. Avala, is someone I know very well, she will continue to bug her and make sure she gets distracted from her own life, and that's exactly what I don't want for her.
• “Daddy, you said we need to talk. I'm waiting for you to say what it is that you want us to talk about.'’ Avala said with her tiny voice.
• “Never mind.'’ I said to Avala, started my car and returned to driving us to the mall.
• I found a vacant spot and parked, Avala and Tricia stepped out first before I followed, after locking the door, I saw them close to the entrance already with Avala holding onto Tricia's hand.
• Avala led the way, she took us to the fruit store first. We bought enough apples around four packs, grapes, strawberries and banana because Avala loves banana, though we got only a few of them for storage and lasting sake.
• I pushed the chart, leading the way deeper into the mall where we bought some stuffs I need in the kitchen.
• “Is that the oil you prefer, how about this one?.'’ Tricia suggests, pointing out a product of vegetable oil on the shelf.
• “That's actually a very nice oil, though I prefer olive oil when it comes to frying.'’ I respond to her, putting the two bottles i grabbed from the upper part of the shelf into the chart.
• “I love vegetable oil a lot. The taste is always great whenever I use it'’
• “You can add it to the chart, when we finish you can take it with you since you love it that much. I've been using olive for years and my system and that of Avala has gotten used to it already.'’
• More things were added to the chart as we walked around the different sectors of the mall. I pushed the chart while Avala clinged to Tricia all through our shopping. Finally, our chart is full with everything we need, just to be sure I decided to ask the girls maybe there's something I forgot to add. “Avala is there something I forgot to add to the chart?.''
• “I don't know, ask my mommy.” She said looking up to meet Tricia's gaze.
• Tricia didn't wait for me ask, “Have you added vegetables?.'’
• I pointed to it in the chart, then she continued. “flour?'’
• “Yeah.'’ I brought out the two packs in the chart raising it up to show them.
• “What about seasoning?'’ She goes futher to ask.
• “Nope.'' I replied, widening my eyes.
• “Eggs?.'’
• “I can't believe it. I forgot eggs too, what did i buy that got the chart filled up if eggs are not incuded?.”
• “Mommy, come this way.'’ Avala turned, pulling Tricia along to where eggs are displayed in crates.
• I wasted no time in adding the things Tricia said including some that I remembered on my own which was missing in my chart. Tricia helped me in carrying two crates of egg, we gave out strict warning to Avala not to get on her way or else the eggs will fall off, I was relieved when we arrived the check-out, safe without any casualty occuring.
• “Pack this ones in a seperate bag.'’ I ordered the cashier. I asked Tricia to pick a few things as well and she did, I don't want us to struggle with sorting them out when I will drop her off at her place.
• “Thank you for joining us.'' I said to Tricia, while putting the last bag into the truck.
• “I should be the one thanking you. Look at all of this, it means a lot to me.'’ She said, smiling at me.
• “Shi–’’ I refraimed from saying the word, remembering Avala is right here with me.
• “What is it?'’ Tricia asked concerned.
• “There's something important I forgot to buy.'’
• I suddenly remembered the pink undies and barbie panties I said I was going to buy for Avala. Tricia glanced at her wristwatch and I got the clue that she had overstayed with us. “Are you running late for an appointment?.'’
• “Not really. I told my mom that I will return to the house in an hour, it's past one hour already.'’
• “The both of you can sit in the car and wait for me, I'll be back before you know it.'’ I opened the car before hurrying off to the mall again.
• I hurried into the mall and randomly picked three dozens of barbie panties for Avala, I hope she likes them.
• “This is for you.'’ I said sliding into the driver's seat and giving the bag containing the panties to Avala.
• “What's this?.'’ Avala asked.
• “Why don't you open and check.'’ I told her, before inserting my car key and starting the ignition.
• “Daddy thank you, I love them!'’ Avala said happily.
• “Tricia which way are you headed?, I need to drop you off first.'’
• “Take the west coast route.'’ Tricia instructs.
• Tricia's phone begins to ring few minutes into the drive, I glanced at her a few times noticing the distress showing in her face. After taking the call, her mood got even worse, “Is everything okay?'’ I asked unable to keep my calm.
• “The manager just called me, he wants me to report to the restaurant now.'’
• “Why, today is supposed to be your day off right?'’ I asked, confused about the whole thing.
• “Not really, I'm actually on duty today, the thing is my mom needed to visit the hospital and there's nobody to go with her, so I exempted myself from work and normally he's supposed to cut my pay for today since James is also working same shift as I am. I don't know why he's calling me.’' Tricia narrated in a displeased manner.
• “Mommy, stop working there.'’ Avala said to her, frowning her face.
• “I can't sweetheart. Trust me I would stop whenever I find a better place with good offer too.'’ She honestly revealed.
• A thought just came to my mind now, what if I try my luck?.
• “Tricia, what if you're offered a job with a salary of $250,000 monthly?, you get your off days whenever your employer gets their day off at work as well.'’
• “Two hundred and what?. Do you know how many months I need to work at the restaurant to earn such from salary?, We get tips a lot but two-fifty is huge.'’
• I need help with Avala, since she's already attached to the little girl, she can take up the job.
• “Is that a yes to the offer?.'’ I asked.
• “Ehmmm...'’ Tricia said, as if contemplating on the offer. “What's the job description, what am I expected to do?'’
• “Your duty is going to be somehow simple. If you like the idea text me your email address, I will tell them to forward the job description to you and if you like it, send in your application immediately.'’
• “Are you for real?.'’
• “Sure.'’