ter

s from her little provision store. My dad seems to be comfortable with his job as a civil servant that can ba

ol fees, so it wasn't much of a surprise to see my younger sister and brother walk in by 10:0

th home at this time? An

ecause our school fees hav

ept flowing down her face because we own every term. They embarra

't worry, when dad comes

em. I endured the same humiliation as a student, and in

on a pair of sandals, and $100 on matching panties and bra. None of my worn shoes match the dresses Andrea gave me, and I was ashamed to ask

better. I thought that the fast food place was just around the filling station, about 10 minutes away. If I

k I had a choice. It was my duty to make my younger brother and sister happy. My heart was so sad and my head was fille

ur bath. Put on something nice w

ich of the mone

estions, just

y, and their mood lightened up a bit. We joined a taxi to the eatery and when we arrived, t

owl of vanilla ice crea

colate ice cream, I don't

then," I said, turn

uld you like to have?" She a

at is the total cost?"$200,"

, and one bowl of i

as recently

d up my purse and left quietly, but took a taking look at the eager f

s have them p

their faces brightened up. I was happy that I made a difference, albeit in a small way. They ate slowly and chatted about their classmates.

being your friend because you were sent home over school fees was not truly your

te, finished up,

ter," Ma

e already home

ple coming from?" t

to me, not sure w

es, they were even asked not to come back because it happened every term. Martha ca

but the news about the school fee was too disheartening, which prompted them not to push fur

oth of you to return to school

ut a way. It usually means I will spend a week out of school, then return to at least two weeks of struggling to catch up and begging m

ite, because it went hand to hand with his laidback attitude to life which my very soul desp

n the meantime, So they don't stay idle. By God's gra

hout hesitation. I would possibl

you, "she said, handi

g to imagine what she was so pleased about. I took out the

a fake smile on my face. I didn't want to burst her bubble at that m

" I said and walke

k of nothing