Broken Promises and Silent Hearts

1

Shar opened her eyes slowly and stretched, glancing at the clock. It was 6:00 AM. She turned her gaze to her mother, who was snoring softly with her hands resting on her baby bump. Shar smiled and quietly got up.

"Shar," her mother called out, sitting up in bed.

"Yes, Ma? Are you still feeling pain?" Shar asked, hurrying over to her.

Her mother shook her head with a reassuring smile. "Not at all, baby. Do you have money for lunch?"

"Of course, Ma. Stop worrying." Shar patted her mother's hand gently. "I'll make you some porridge before I leave. What time do you start work today?"

"At nine. But go on, I'll take care of your clothes," her mother said, her tone full of warmth.

Shar nodded and smiled. "Thanks, Ma. I'll see you later. I'm going to make the porridge now." She headed to the kitchen, quickly preparing breakfast, and then rushed to the bathroom for a quick shower.

"Hurry up before the bus leaves! It's almost seven!" her mother's voice called from the bedroom.

"I know, Ma, I'm coming!" Shar replied, her voice tinged with urgency. She searched for her shoes under the bed, finally finding them and slipping them on as she saw the bus approaching.

"Alright, Ma, I'm heading out. Please try not to stand too much today, okay?" She kissed her mother's cheek, her concern evident, and dashed out the door.

"Good morning, Buck," she said as she climbed into the car. "I see you got a new haircut. I like it." She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek as he started driving off.

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"Sherry, I'm sorry, but you can't work here anymore," Mr. Henry said firmly. "You almost spilled hot coffee on one of our customers. If that had happened, it could have led to a lawsuit."

Sherry's eyes widened in shock and desperation. "I'm really sorry, Mr. Henry. It won't happen again. Please, give a pregnant woman one more chance. I need this job. How am I supposed to support my family and pay rent with the baby coming any month now?"

Mr. Henry's expression softened, but he shook his head. "I understand your situation, but I can't afford to take that risk. I'll pay you for the rest of the week, even though today is Monday."

Sherry's face brightened slightly with gratitude, though her eyes were still filled with worry. "Thank you, Mr. Henry. I'm really sorry about earlier."

With a heavy heart, she gathered her belongings, her hands trembling. As she walked out of the café, she wiped away a tear, feeling the weight of her situation pressing down on her.

Shar POV

I can't wait until I get out of this hell hole the bell rang I quickly got up heading out of computer science class that class was boring.

"Girl shut the fuck up you know Crown and I will have the cuties babies", I rolled my eyes at them Sabrina was the most popular girl at school she's what I called rich and dumb her father was the principal of the school and she thinks she runs everybody and the school.

"Shar wait up", I knew it was Moya my acquaintance I didn't use the word friend lightly these bitches couldn't be trusted I opened my locker putting in books closing it.

"Hey you going to the cafeteria", she smiled.

"No I'm going to the library I have some stuff to do you go on without me", I walked away before she could protest I didn't have lunch and the last thing I was going to do was sit with her while she's eating and me looking out of space everyone around here called me the poor girl.

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I hated it, but it was true—we were poor. I couldn't afford to go to this school on my own; my aunt, my mom's sister, covered the fees, even though she and my mom barely spoke. I didn't want to be here, but it offered more opportunities for college and a chance at a scholarship. Mom wasn't thrilled about it, but I reassured her it was okay. I might not have a car or the latest clothes or shoes, but that didn't matter to me.

Finding a quiet spot to be alone, I searched for information on how to deliver a baby. If Mom went into labor, we'd have no one to take her to the hospital.

"Girl, Crown is so fine. I might have to steal him from Sabrina," someone said, and I felt a pang of frustration. I was sick and tired of hearing about Crown this and Crown—that. No doubt he was handsome light skin, gray eyes, cherry lips, and an athletic build but I tuned out the chatter and focused on the video.