Maria woke up just after four a.m. She was exhausted and would have loved to turn over and go straight back to sleep. But she had her Maths homework to do and still needed to finish off her English assignment.

Last night the electricity had run out again and there were no candles left in the house. At least it was summer and the sun rose early so she could see her books.

Usually Maria loved this quiet time in the early mornings. She’d have a few hours to herself before the rest of the household woke up. But today she had an uneasy feeling deep in the pit of her stomach.

Maria lived with her Mama, brother Goodwin, and sister Noni. For the most part Maria was in charge of the house. She could control most things. Well, the one thing she couldn’t control was her father abandoning them. It seemed as if he was there one day, head of their household, and the next day he was gone.

That was nearly two years ago now. Right up until their father left they were doing okay financially. They lived in a small house, but it was always neat and tidy. They had enough food to eat and always wore clean clothes. When her father left, Mama went into shock. All the family were shocked, but their mother took it much harder than her children.

People were always telling her Mama: “You’re a lucky woman, Precious. You’ve got a fine, hard-working man who takes good care of his family.”

After her father abandoned them, Maria lost her trust in people. She had admired her father and believed everything he had told her. Then he had walked out on his family, saying he had fallen for a woman who worked in the offices at the car factory where he worked.

“I’ll always be here for you, kids. I’ll provide for you.” Those were his last words to them.

Maria was surprised at the time that her mother hadn’t shouted and screamed at her father. She had thought that her Mama didn’t care. But now she knew her Mama had cared very much about her father’s betrayal. Her Mama was just not the type of woman to make a scene.

“What’s the point?” she said to Maria one night, as they sat up late drinking tea. “All the shouting and ranting in the world is not going to bring him back. I don’t have time to fall apart. I have my children to take care of.”

But Maria felt her Mama wasn’t as brave as she pretended to be. She became quieter and withdrew further and further into herself. Often Maria heard her crying into her pillow when she thought everybody was asleep in the house.

For the first few months her father paid out a monthly income to his family. Then on the third month, when he didn’t call around, Maria went to the factory.

She asked the receptionist to call her father, as she needed to speak to him. The lady looked at her kindly and asked her to come into the office. Maria knew straightaway that something was wrong.

“I’m so sorry to tell you this. But your father left the factory last week.”

“Where did he go?” Maria asked her, shocked.

“Cape Town.”

“Did that woman go with him?” Maria asked.

The receptionist hesitated a moment. Then she said, “Yes. To be honest nobody liked her here. We all knew she was just a gold digger. We were very shocked when we heard your father had taken up with her. He just didn’t seem the type of man to leave his family. He let you down very badly.”

The receptionist stopped and smiled sheepishly, “Sorry, it’s just that … well I’m going to make you a nice, hot cup of sweet tea. I’m so sorry.”

“I’m Maria, and thank you Mam. You’ve been very kind.”

“I just wish there was more I could do for you, Maria. But if it’s any consolation, Eugenia was only using your father. Once she gets to Cape Town she’ll find somebody else.”

“It’s been hard on our family,” Maria said. “You see we loved and admired our father very much.”

“I know it’s not my place to interfere but I sincerely believe your father was not too happy about going to Cape Town.”

“Why did he go then?” Maria was clearly puzzled.

“I think he felt he had no choice. Eugenia is a very domineering woman.” The receptionist sighed in sympathy as she gave Maria her tea and a couple of chocolate biscuits to go with it.

Maria vowed to herself then that she’d never allow a man to rule her life. Whatever happened she’d make sure she was independent.

Determined not to rely on anyone financially, she promised herself that she would study harder at school. She knew if you got a good education you’d get a better job, and receive a decent salary.

***

Tell us: Is it possible for everyone to be financially independent? Do you admire Maria’s attitude?