Reflections

Compassion

'Why do you want this job',  Anna asked the boy who showed up for baby sitting with her two children.
"I need money to pay for my university fees. My financial aid does not cover for all my expenses; my parents can not afford to pay so I have to work in between semester breaks to generate some funds for myself", replied the boy. His name was Stefan. He was from Montgomery and was pursuing an MBA degree from Auburn University. A real nice boy who has seen poverty and struggle in life but was determined to make a good career. He was handsome, good looking but docile. He talked in a soft tone. Anna knew from her brief talk with him that he was a reliable boy fit for the job. Someone who can be trusted with kids. Also his feedback from university was good.
"Look I wanted to hire a girl for the job. My elder son is four. He is sober and quite. He will not disturb you much. My younger is two and half. He really needs to be taken care of but both boys sleep early in the evening so you wouldn't have much trouble. You just have to be nearby so that you can listen if they cry or wake up. I need you to spare four to six hours daily in the evenings when I am at the club. I may not pay you as much as you wish but I request that you take the job as I really need some help with them", Anna clarified him the job description. Stefan expected a little more compensation but he couldn't ask her out of decency.

Anna has not been destined for this life from start. She was born and bred in every well off family. She was going very well in her school days and was a Hartselle Tiger. She liked art and got admission to study Architecture in Auburn University. It was her fascination with art that led to her encounter with James during an art exhibition in university . James presented himself to be a very successful Artist. She was impressed with his craftiness. Both got into a relation. Things just got little steamy and she realized her jeopardy when she got pregnant. Her studies and own future goals fell apart. James art ventures were not much successful and he could not provide much to support her. She tried to keep things hidden from her parents but eventually they came to know and they were very disappointed with her. They stopped to support her financially. She had to leave university and find some work to support herself and generate funds for delivery. James used to be around but was of little help as he was too busy I nhis art work. However, she loved him and she hanged on to him. After one and half years of her first child, she got pregnant again.

Meanwhile, James behaviour changed with her. He stopped visiting and supporting her financially. She tried to convince him to marry her but he blatantly refused. She later came to know of his reality. He was a cheat from day one. Who used to attract attention of beautiful girls with his art work and then get into physical relation with them. When she realised how she had been cheated all that  time, she was very heart broken. She had just been a easy fuck for him. He had relations with many other girls and flirting and playing with girls was his way. Art was his net to entangle girls. Girls like Art but they never had any idea how crafty cheaters artist can be. Her dreams and life got shattered all at once. She was embarrassed and alone with no resources. She could not tell her predicament to any one. She had to live not only for herself but for kids now. She did many jobs to survive. Second pregnancy was a particularly painful experience for her. Her mother came to help her when she learned of her condition. After all a parent can not remain indifferent to a child's suffering. But she had to support her kids. She managed a cashier job at a store after recovering from her second pregnancy. She refused financial support from her mother. Now, her only concern were her kids.  She had no particular skill or degree so she could only find menial jobs.

Troubles were not over for her. Owner of store started to make advances towards her. First she tried to avoid or gently keep him away. One day he stopped her after work hours with the ruse of balancing the accounts. He then asked her to have sex with him. She got angry and bashed him. Next day she was informed that she had been fired.

Anna never felt so helpless in her life. She had kids to feed and now she was suddenly jobless. She used to curse her love for art. She never knew what afflictions are hidden behind glittering objects. She wished to reverse the time. If only she had not brought those kids to life; she could still have had a chance to start over.