The Old Lady Next Door

Chapter 7- Transformation

It has been a year since I have been out of work. A lot has happened in these 12 months. Natalia and I are close again. Now, whenever we have free time, we either call or meet in person for our new business - sharing luxury goods online. We didn't set out to make money from the business. It's just a way for us to say goodbye to the past. What we didn't expect is that there are so many women like us. They bought a lot of expensive products out of vanity, but didn't know how to make them valuable. Our business is now becoming more and more prosperous, far beyond our expectations. That means I don't have to worry about my credit card payment anymore. I've also invited Natalia to visit the orphanage when she's free. Her son Fred has made a lot of new friends there, and it's nice to see Natalia spending more time with her son. It seems that we are both back on track, just in a different way.

I gave my first online English lesson at 5 o'clock in the morning because there are more and more Asian students who need to take an English lesson at that time. I don't mind waking up early to teach students, not because of the money, but because I can help these kids who are working hard to learn my native language. I enjoy spending time with these little angels online. I never thought that my life could be changed in such a wonderful way. I felt very humiliated when I was fired last year, but it turned out to be one of the most precious blessings in my life.

After teaching the first English class, I get a call from Natalia.

"Betty, I'm so sorry to bother you so early in the morning, but..."

"That's okay. I just finished my first English lesson."

"I'm really sorry, but here's the thing, my husband and I negotiated that each of us would take turns taking care of our son every 2 weeks. It's my turn today, but my mother is unable to take care of my son... The part-time babysitter will be here tomorrow. Can you take care of him for a few hours? Just a few hours. I'll pick him up before 4 pm."

"Can you take Fred to my place? I have another class later, but I'll be free after that."

"Yes!! Thank you so much! I'll get off as soon as I can!"

"No rush! If you have to stay late at the office, Fred can stay with me tonight."

"Thanks Betty!!! I'll pick up everything and come to you now!"

After hanging up the phone. I'm so surprised that I'm willing to take care of a little boy all by myself. If I had been asked the same thing in the past, there would have been more than a thousand reasons to refuse the request that I could have come up with immediately. Besides, I'm about to teach my fourth online class in 5 minutes to a cute 7-year-old girl. Maybe Rebecca is right. I have changed, and in a good way.

When my online class is over, Natalia drops me a message that they're arriving at the bus station. I put on my coat and go out to meet them. When I arrive at the bus station, Natalia and Fred are already there. She gives me a big hug.

"Good morning, Freddy." I hold his hands as I squat down.

"Good morning, Aunt Betty." Fred still looks sleepy.

"Baby, Mommy would love to stay with you longer, but like Mommy told you on the bus, Mommy has to work right now. I'll pick you up in the evening. Have fun with Aunt Betty, okay? Mammy loves you." Natalia crouches down and holds Fred's face.

"No, Mammy...Mammy don't go..." Fred begins to cry as he hugs Natalia tightly.

"Baby, Mammy made you a promise, okay? Mammy will be back in the evening..." Natalia has a lump in her throat as she strokes Fred's hair.

"No, Mammy don't go..." Fred cries like it is the end of the world.

"Fred, Mommy's going to save the world. Don't you know that Mommy is actually a superhero?" I tell him, as if there's some big secret about Natalia that he doesn't know.