MISTER EX

10. A BAD DAY

"Mama, Mama," Andrei's called from his room.

Leah got out of the couch and went to him. "Baby what's wrong?"

"Water, please. I want a drink," he said.

She bent down and lifted Andrei from his toddler bed, carrying him to the kitchen, where she set him down at the table and poured him a glass of water. He drank it and then lifted his arms for his mother to pick him up.

"Can I sleep with you, Mama?"

She cuddled him close. "Sure, handsome." Leah snuggled her son next to her on the sleeper sofa and was finally able to fall asleep.

Just before her alarm clock rang, Leah woke up. The radiator whistled as the heat rose in the apartment. She glanced at the living room window to see the cloudy sky.

"Oh rain please don't fall and let me come to work first please..." She whispered.

Leah carried Andrei back to his bed, kissed his warm cheek, and dressed for work. She rushed out of the apartment, not wanting to be late.

With yesterday's rainfall and this morning's bitter cold, she wished the trains were on time. She really needed this job. When Leah arrived at work, the manager named Jonathan Albanzo met her at the door.

"Good morning, Miss Cacho. Would you come into my office for a small talk?" He never smiled but today, he looked especially grim.

"Certainly, Sir." Leah followed him into his office with dread.

"Don't bother closing the door," he said as he turned to her.

Mr. Albanzo didn't allow her to sit, so Leah standing quetely in front of him.

"Miss Cacho, I'm going to tell you this direct to the point. I have to let you go. I have already drawn your final paycheck." He held out an envelope for her to take.

Hearing those words Leah looked down at the envelope, then looked up to her boss.

"I... I don't understand. Is there a problem with my work?" Her mind panics, her heart beats rises to extend her emotions from the pit of her stomach, and a knot of fear choked her.

"You are being dismissed. Please empty your locker and go before the store opens. Our security will escort you." The manager said without saying any reason to remove Leah from her work.

Mr. Albanzo forcefully handed her the envelope, causing her hand to tremble as she nervously grasped it. With a shaky hand, she left his office, determined to maintain her composure.

Unaware of anyone else's presence in the back office, Leah abruptly turned around. To her surprise, the security guard was standing by the door. Despite the tears welling up in her eyes, she took a deep breath and made a silent vow not to let them fall.

With a lump in her throat, Leah held back her tears. Her voice cracked as she said to the manager, "I don't have anything in my locker."

He nodded and escorted her to the front door. Her shoulders hunched over.

Leah walked in the street, same with the rushing people going for their workplace. As if she was walking in the shadow, tears filled her eyes, about to spill onto her cheeks as she stepped out into the brisk early morning air.

Traffic crawled by. Smoke from the car exhausts rose into the air and along the concrete sidewalk. Then she stop and look above her, she found an old building and go inside.

"I know I am not good enough, but I am doing this for my son. Please show me some light" Leah silently prayed, as she was praying in front of the altar of the church. After a couple of minutes, she left the church with swollen eyes from crying.