PRESENT

"Hey dear, you've been staring at that mirror for as long as I can remember. Is anything the problem?" Mrs Whitney asked Jane.

"It's nothing Mrs Whitney, I'm just thinking that's all" Jane replied her, Mrs Whitney turns to look at her

"Jane you are even crying," Mrs Whitney noted.

"I am?" Jane asked sounding surprised herself, she had been so immersed in her thought that she didn't even know she has been crying.

"What's wrong? You look really sad" Mrs Whitney asked her.

"Oh it's nothing, I'm just thinking about the past. You know it's not like I'm sad, I just wished some things didn't happen." Jane said feeling a bit relieved.

"You don't have to think like that, at least some good things came out of it. Everything happens for a reason." Mrs Whitney said.

"Yes I know, I have my son to show for it." Jane said. Yes she found out 2 months later, she was having a child by that monster. The incident wasn't such a waste after all , Jane thought.

"But, I still can't find Cassie." It's been five years now, and she has searched everywhere she could for her best friend. She even went to the orphanage three years back but, still couldn't find her.

"Don't worry you will," Mrs Whitney said. Ever since Mrs Whitney brought her to leave with her, she has been nothing but good to her.

She's the mother she never had, too bad she doesn't have a child of her own.

"Mummy! Mummy!! I want my gun." Christopher shouted while running towards his mother.

Jane jolted back to reality, she was lost in her thoughts again.

"Christopher stop running around will you? You might fall again" Jane said.

"But I want my gun" he turns to Mrs Whitney.

"Grandma, mummy won't give me my gun. I want my gun now." Christopher said.

"Don't worry honey, I will get you your gun." Mrs Whitney leaves to get him the gun.

"Grandma is really spoiling you, and you are becoming really naughty." Jane said pretending to be angry, with her hands on her waist.

"I'm so sorry mom but, John won't let me play with his gun." Christopher said, with his mouth pouted. He was just too adorable there was no way she can resist this son of hers.

She might not have liked the circumstances surrounding his birth but, at least a blessing came out of it. And this little boy has been her source of hope and strength, she would make sure she gives him the best life.

She picks up her son and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Alright fine, grandma will find your toy. And bring it to you but, don't play rough okay?"

"Okay mummy," Chris said.

"Pinky promise?" Jane said pointing her finger to him , Chris grabbed his mother's finger with his.

"Pinky promise," the little boy agreed.

"I found your gun," Mrs Whitney said playfully waving the gun at Chris, he jumped down from his mother's arm and ran towards Mrs Whitney.

"Yeeyyy my gun, thanks grandma. You are the best" he said and ran towards the door.

"And where are you off to?" jane was the one that spoke.

"I'm going to play with John" he replied.

"And not even a goodbye hug for mama?" Jane asked.

"Sorry Mom," he ran towards his mother, and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"Bye mom, bye grandma." he said waving and ran out.

"What a sweet little boy" Mrs Whitney said with her hand on her chest. She adores the little boy so much, and loves him like her own grandson.

"And you, what are you still doing there looking all sad. Aren't you going to work?" Mrs Whitney scolded her.

"I'm leaving already, just need to pick my bag." she picks her bag, and walk towards the door. Mrs Whitney grabs her arm before she exited the door.

"Don't worry Jane everything will be alright" Jane turns and gives her hug.

"Thank you Mrs Whitney, I will be going now" Jane said and left.

Jane glanced at her watch immediately she got outside.

"Oh no! I'm almost late," she muttered to herself. She's a waiter at a club downtown, and today she's on the afternoon shift. That means she will be home late she works from 2pm to 9pm.

But, if she's on the morning shift. She works 7am to 2pm, she really doesn't like her job especially on a weekend like this. Where they have more customers.

And what's worse? She's on the afternoon shift , and she has to work into the night. She has to go through the pain of seeing those useless men eveytime they come mostly at night.

Probably after they leave work, ever since she was raped. She find men to be disgusting except her son of course but, she doesn't have a choice but to do it.

It's the only work she could find around, Mrs Whitney still delivers milk to the rich folks in town. And together they make enough money to feed and pay their bills but, she really needs to do more right now.

Chris just started school, he turned four two months ago. She spent all her saving in buying him books and paying for his fees, Mrs Whitney also contributed and now she really has to keep up.

She didn't attend school except for the little knowledge taught to them in the orphanage. If not, she would have been a complete illiterate.

She wasn't going to deprive him the pleasure, and benefit of attending a proper school. Only God knows where his father is, he doesn't even know he has a child.

She quickly discarded the thought.

"I shouldn't be thinking about that monster" she muttered to herself, she won't lie to herself that she wishes sometimes to see his handsome face.

Who could have thought such a handsome face could have dark heart? She might not have seen him clearly that day but, she's sure he's very handsome.