I passed my June exams well and I was waiting to write my annual exams. Sitting under
the tree at school with my friend, Spoky, I gave him some leftovers I ate which my Aunt Lucy had thrown away in the morning.

“Hey, Laurie,” Alison called out, walking with some girls. I nodded and greeted her silently.

I saw Vimbai making some dance while her crew laughed. I wished I had some friends. It was towarsd my birthday. Vimbai and I were born two days apart. I left Spoky when the bell rang and went to class.

Mrs Smith came inside with her enraged face. You wouldn’t know if she was happy or sad. She wore specs as if she didn’t see. Maybe it was fashion.

“November exams are coming. Hope you can pass at least 5 subjects. Laurie you are doing well, keep it up. Now do your revisions,” she said.

Mrs Smith went out of the class. Vimbai stood up.

“Laurie, you are doing well. Keep it up,” Vimbai mimicked Mrs Smith. Her crew laughed.

Alison stared at me and came closer. I was sitting alone.

“Don’t mind her,” she rubbed my shoulder and walked away.

I was stressing about the exams. I needed a mathematical set or else I would fail Maths. Alison gave me a wrapped gift.

“Thanks, dear,” I hugged her.

“Make sure Vimbai doesn’t see it,” she quickly pushed the gift into my bag. I did my revisions with Alison for an hour. I walked home after school and unwrapped the gift. It was a new mathematical set. I screamed, then remembered that if Vimbai saw me, she would grab it. I hid it in my bag. I had to make sure she didn’t see it. It was for my exams.

I arrived home and started doing chores. At 4 p.m. I sat in my ragged clothes. There was today’s newspaper. I began to read, then came to the vacant posts.

School leavers trained for cashier. Register quickly. Contact Mr Dombo 0774152366 at OK Supermarket, Avondale.

I tore the paper and left to go inside. I had to cook supper. I was only allowed to eat at night some days. The next day was the weekend. I was sent to buy some groceries by my Aunt
Lucy. I went through to the OK supermarket and put my name there.

“There is a test to take before you can be employed after your exams,” a man in uniform said.

“When is the test?” I asked curiously.

“On Tuesday this week at 2 p.m.,” he answered.

“Thank you, sir,” I said calmly and went to purchase all that Aunt Lucy asked me too.

The groceries were heavy. I had to buy a big bag to hold them all. I put the whole bag on my head. My head felt pains as if I carried bricks. I arrived home after a short walk.

“Unpack the groceries. I want you to wash all the clothes,” Aunt Lucy hissed.

The laundry was two weeks’ worth. Vimbai changed three times, as well as Aunt. Uncle and the other cousins contributed less. I sat on the chair washing the clothes and hung them on the washing line.

Feeling hungry and tired, I just wiped the sweat. Aunt Lucy gave me two slices of buttered bread with a half cup of tea.

“Thank you, Aunt,” I spoke softly.

“Eat quickly and wash the dishes,” she shouted.

I had to study at night, because during the day all the chores waited for me. Tears came when I remembered how my parents treated me. I was their only child. My dad treated me like I was fragile and a baby. I truly missed them.

***

Tell us: What do you think will happen if Laurie gets the job?