Chapter 7 Backfire

• TRICIA
• My eyes are fixed on table 15 as I carefully balanced the tray of food in my hand, heading towards it. For months now, after my mother had an accident, I've been working as a waitress in this restaurant, and I'm already used to walking around the busy area. I heard a joyful voice that belonged to a child behind me "Mommy!"
• All of a sudden, my legs were held from behind. The tray in my hand began to slip away, I struggled with balancing myself and holding unto the tray, but it was too late. The food on the tray, all crashed to the ground, litering the whole place and making it look messy. I looked down at the mess, “Seriously? I said, out of frustration.
• The child who had caused the commotion was now staring up at me with apologetic eyes. "Mommy, I'm sorry," she said with trembling voice.
• I looked at Avala who is now covering her mouth with her hands. I almost forgot that I had given birth to a little girl, here in my workplace.
• I didn't have time to talk because I was short of words. As I bent down to pick up the plates that Avala had knocked over, an extra hand joined me, apologizing on her behalf. I didn't respond to him, my only concern was the two plates of food that lay shattered on the floor. They cost almost my entire salary for a week, and I was still struggling to care for my sick mother.
• '‘Mommy, please forgive me. I'm sorry." She said again.
• I stood up carrying the tray now full with broken plates and spilled food. My mind was focused on getting everything cleaned up and replacing the orders, luckily, James arrived with a mob and bucket.
• Donald, Avala's father, stepped forward, looking concerned. "How much is the food?, I will pay for the waste?" he asked, pulling out his wallet.
• I didn't give any response, I simply turned and walked away leaving him to stand there. I feel so frustrated and annoyed that i wasn't in the mood to talk right now.
• I returned to the dining area, and my eyes landed on Avala immediately, she was sitting in her seat, tears pouring down her face. On the other hand, her father's face was not looking good, one could tell he's trying so hard to keep his anger in check.
• I feel guilty and regret my actions, I know fully well that he's like this because of me. I blame myself for not accepting his apologies earlier, and now he must have scolded Avala, which was making her cry. When I dropped the food on table 15, one of the men told me to give my child some training. I had to apologize to them again, despite how I was feeling embarrassed.
• Now, as I approached Avala and Donald, I could see the anger in his eyes and Avala's eyes were filled with tears. She jumped down from her seat, wanting to run to me. But her father's voice stopped her, "Avala, go back and sit down in that chair, now!'’
• Avala struggled to climb back, the seat was high and I watched as her little legs kept dancing in the air. I helped her by extending my hands to guide her into the chair to sit properly. I wiped away her tears.
• “Please, she's just a child, don't be harsh on her.'’ I said to Avala's father, who is obviously angry and gave me no response. I turned to Avala, "Stop crying, sweetie.'’
• This table now look a little too quiet except for the little noise Avala is making, I took a decision to spice it up a little. “What can I bring for you to eat?" I asked, Avala's dad shakes his head at me. “I lost my appetite, just bring something for Avala.'’
• I don't blame him because I know, he's still upset. I turned to Avala, "What do you want to eat, baby?." I asked her while cleaning her face again to do away with the tears.
• Avala kept her face down fondling with her fingers and at the same time trying so hard not to cry. I don't know why, but for some reasons her father's face looks funny now that he's angry and it's really cute to behold. Anger is not a good thing, else, i would have loved to keep seeing his face like this.
• '‘Forget about what happened, Avala is just a little girl, and she didn't realize that the food would fall off the tray.'’
• Donald looked at me with his expression still showing anger. “I'm no longer hungry.'’ He said to me firmly.
• Avala's head is casted down, she focused her eyes on the floor. “Avala, I'm sorry for what happened earlier, I should have accepted your apologies. Mommy is sorry, please, eat something.'’
• Avala raised her head and our eyes met, she refused to talk. She just shook her head and kept looking at her father's face. I looked from Avala to Donald and back to Avala. "Come on, Avala, Order something.'’ I said in attempt to coax her.
• “I have work to do, you guys should go ahead and order something.” I added.
• I noticed how my little girl kept looking at her father's face, I could tell she was waiting for her father's go ahead. I wonder what's going on in her mind right now. Standing up straight, I folded my arms across my chest as I looked at the father and daughter with me. I'm getting tired of them and the stress they're making me go through. "Did the two of you come here only to spill orders?." I asked.
• Avala's dad, dipped his hand into his pocket and pulled out two notes, placing them on the table. "Will this cover for the bill?." He asked.
• I looked at the notes, thanking God that he was willing to spend so effortlessly. I know I can't afford to have the management take a week's pay from me for the food, not with my mom's unpaid medical bills.
• God knows I'm in need of this money but i want to play stubborn too. I prayed in my heart that this wouldn't backfire, so, I pushed the two notes back to Avala's dad. “I will not take it.'’
• Donald simply inserts the money into his pocket again standing up. No argument, neither did he try to convince me at least. The next thing I heard is, “Avala come down, we're leaving.” He commands the poor child.
• Avala looks at her father, then slowly got down from her seat, you can tell from her facial expression that everything that's happening, is not what the child expected when coming here. I was thinking he would argue with me about the money, instead, he accepted my refusal without a fight.
• Jeez!... This is not happening. My one week salary is gone.