Chapter Nine : Seed of sacrifice
Debbie and Whitney had been bosom friends since their high school days. Now grown, they were not exempt from the usual teenage troubles. If it wasn't Whitney going through a heartbreak today, it was sure to be Debbie tomorrow. It was not uncommon for either of them to cry at midnight over a boyfriend who mistreated her or related issues.
Debbie was a fortunate girl whose parents were still together. That did not mean the marriage was without its ups and downs. Her father, Geoffrey Rogers, was a disciplinarian, while her mother, Vivian Rogers, was a professional cook.
There was a general belief that a cook should be able to manage a home flawlessly with delicious meals. Many assumed that this was one of the reasons the marriage remained intact. But Vivian knew that good food alone could not sustain a home. She had her own contributions to make. For instance, when Debbie was still young, Vivian worked hard, taking up two or three extra jobs to stabilize the family's finances. In most cases, she was the one who paid virtually all the bills.
At one point, she had a serious domestic accident at an engineering site where she worked as a laborer. She was hospitalized for more than three weeks. During this period, the bills piled up and became difficult to clear.
Just two weeks after she was discharged, she was diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. She broke down in tears like a mother mourning her child. An urgent operation was required to save her life.
The already unpaid bills grew, and Geoffrey couldn't handle the financial burden alone without his wife's support. Fortunately, the operation was carried out successfully. That alone was a great relief to the poor woman, who was determined to return to work as soon as she recovered.
She was soon discharged and went home, but the bills had continued to accumulate. The doctor had warned her sternly against returning to work too soon, but the financial pressure was mounting.
One night, Vivian made up her mind. She ignored the doctor's advice and quietly snuck out to look for work. Neither Geoffrey nor Debbie was aware of this. She found a job that same day but was told to resume immediately. When she politely asked to start the next day, the supervisor declined, and she returned home dejected and disappointed.
Two days later, she tried again and was more fortunate this time. She got a better offer at a large poultry farm and was given three days to prepare before resuming. This brought her a sense of relief.
By now, Geoffrey and Debbie had discovered her plan. Vivian resumed work, arriving an hour earlier than any other employee. She worked diligently, though no one initially noticed her dedication—until one day when Mr. Louis, the owner of the farm, showed up.
That day, Mr. Louis disguised himself as a pauper and wandered into the farm. No one recognized him.
"Please, can I have some water?" he asked.
"Water? Why not?" Vivian replied kindly. She quickly stopped what she was doing and returned moments later with a bottle of water and a piece of biscuit.
"Thank you," the man said, accepting only the water. "Sorry, I don't want the biscuit."
"Oh, you don't want the biscuit? I'm sorry. Actually, the biscuit is meant for my child at home."
"Yeah… but I'd prefer some eggs and a live chicken instead."
"Eggs and a live chicken?" she gasped. "That's practically impossible. I can't afford that."
"How do you mean? Don't some people steal?"
"I'm not saying you should steal," he added quickly.
"Then what are you saying?" Vivian asked, confused. "If I don't steal, how can I possibly get you something I can't afford?"
"Well, some people do. Next time, you could try. Eggs are good for the body and for growing children. Your child, who gets that biscuit, also needs eggs."
She sighed. "Even if others are thieves, I can't be one of them. This farm belongs to someone who labored and toiled. Why would I rob him of his sweat? Please, take the water and go in peace."
The "pauper" reluctantly accepted but didn't leave. Instead, he pretended to weep. Vivian was shocked and slightly embarrassed.
"What more do you want?" she asked. "Your crying is annoying me. If you don't leave, I'll call the security. By the way, how did you even get in here?"
"Well, I'm not a stranger here. The security guards know me. I come here every three weeks to pick leftovers—chicken remains and scraps from people."
"Really? You mean the security permits that?"
"Yes. You don't know me because you're new here."
His words startled her. How does he know I'm new here? she wondered.
"Are you now ready to get me those eggs and a live chicken?"
"No matter what, my answer is no. I'd rather die a pauper than steal a dime."
The "pauper" walked away, returned to his office, and changed out of his disguise. Moments later, he sent for Vivian. She was apprehensive, unsure why Mr. Louis would want to see her.
Before she arrived, he had instructed his secretary to prepare a letter of promotion, elevating Vivian to a management position. It was a reward for her steadfastness and honesty.
Geoffrey was filled with pride and respect for his wife. From then on, bills no longer frightened her even Geoffrey Peace and joy returned to the household.