The good life

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Amber is a single mother who struggled her way through life, she never had anything easy, but she was determined to always conquer and this sometimes gets in her duty as a parent.

Sometimes, she struggles to balance her life between increasing her earnings to six figures, climbing her way up the social ladder, securing a decent apartment, providing her daughter Stacey the basics and still be emotionally available for her.

Every so often, Amber is caught between worlds, and she feels most times her job deserves her attention more since that is what pays the bills.

One would think Stacey would be happy being on the fortunate side of life due to her mother's hard work.

But then, she cannot stop feeling like the sacrificial lamb whenever her mother's career grows, as she has always been on the move and could barely sustain a friendship.

She struggles to navigate her way through life's hurdles and whenever she wants to talk to her mom about anything, she's either in a Zoom meeting, on a business trip or whipping up a report for work.

Thus, as Amber's career grows, Stacey drifts further into isolation, which goes unnoticed by Amber as she felt Stacey has all the goodies of life at her disposal, so she ought to be ok.

It's Saturday morning and Stacey was trying to catch up on her sleep time when she heard her mom scream. At first, she wanted to ignore but on a second thought, what if something had happened? Her mother is not one to let out emotions unless it becomes overwhelming, so Stacey knew she had no choice than to go see if all was well. She went upstairs to her mom's work area and feeling a bit worried, she called out to her mom severally, but there was no response, she got to the door of her mother's workspace, knocked and then let herself in. She felt a bit relieved when she saw her mom on turbo speed responding to an email.

Mom, are you ok? I heard you scream, Stacey asked, feeling concerned as she approached her mother.

Amber kept mute and just focused on responding to her email.

Stacey waited a bit, seeing that her mom was caught up typing and not responding to her, she decided to take a seat and wait for her to finish.

She was about dozing off from sitting idle for too long when Amber spoke in excitement.

Oh! My baby girl! Your mother has done it again, Amber said with so much joy as she yanked Stacey from the chair, holding her jaws tight with both her hands.

Done what mom? What did you do? Stacey asked confused.

Amber, too excited to spill more details, dragged Stacey to her laptop and showed her the mail from her company.

Stacey read through, and her countenance immediately changed when she got to the part of her mother's appointment to head a newly opened branch in another State.

Devastated, Stacey fired at her mother: Not again! Mom! We've been here for barely eight months, what will happen to my school and the people I have come to know?

We both know you have no friends Stacey, Amber said mockingly and this angered Stacey a lot. Not to say words to disrespect her mother, she stormed out angrily to her room and slammed the door on her way out.

Why does she always do this? What right does she have? She's so selfish! Stacey said with so much anger and pain as tears rolled down her cheeks.

The rest of the day went with so much excitement for Amber and bitterness for Stacey. Stacey stayed in her room all day and didn't even bother to come out for dinner. Amber having finalized with her company about relocating, went to Stacey's room to inform her of the update so she could start packing.

We leave in a Fortnight baby, that's enough time to pack up and say your goodbyes, Amber said casually.

But Stacey kept mute and Amber just let her be.

Fortnite came and both women arrived in another state to start up a new life.

On reaching their new home, before making their way inside, Amber stopped Stacey halfway.

She held both Stacey's hands and took a deep breath as she squeezed the hands gently, then she said to Stacey who was still putting on a long face:

Our lives will never remain the same baby, this is it, all the years of toiling, we will finally get it right with this one. No more transfers, no more moving, this is it baby I promise.

Stacey just stood there staring unresponsive at Amber because this same promise is what she always makes whenever she's changing jobs or getting transfers. Stacey has never had a stable life for the past sixteen years, and she's sure her mother is not about to keep to her words now to let her have one, so no need getting her hopes high.

They got into the house and started getting familiar with the home setting.

Stacey located her room upstairs and felt a bit happy as it's everything she had ever wanted, spacious, big windows, a wardrobe almost the size of her former room and a state-of-the-art bathroom/toilet one could spend eternity in.

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Stacey stood at her bedroom window looking around, then she caught a glimpse of some teens at the other compound playing pickleball. But she thought it was tennis, and they were just improvising with the ball and bats, as it doesn't look the same as what is being used for the game of tennis.

They also played differently, and the game had a touch of badminton with ping pong. She kept watching them play and then noticed a wave from a tall blond teenage boy her age. She felt some excitement but controlled herself and waved back, then quickly turned away from the window as she joined Amber in settling into their new home.

Amber resumed at her new workplace and Stacey started at a new school.

A few weeks later, Stacey was headed for recess and bumped into the boy who waved at her while she watched them play pickleball. She wanted to dodge as she would rather not do anything embarrassing, but the boy quickly cornered her and said, the new girl from the window watching us play the other day right?

Stacey nodded in agreement and the boy extended his hand for a handshake and said Hi, I'm Nathan.

Stacey slowly grabbed his hand and responded, I'm Stacey, nice to meet you.

Pleasure, Nathan responded smiling.

So, do you play? Nathan asked, exhibiting some form of curiosity.

Play what? Stacey responded confused.

Oh! I had thought you played pickleball. Nathan said, looking embarrassed.

Pickle ball? What's that? Stacey asked with the innocence of a child.

You mean you don't know what pickleball means? I thought you were familiar with it when you watched us play.

Oh, is that what it is? I had thought that was tennis but felt y'all just improvising and having fun.

Nathan laughed and said we sure were having fun, but that's not tennis. My friends and I were just catching up on our weekend sporting activities.

You should join us, Nathan continued after a brief silence.

I doubt that is a good idea, I don't know how to play, besides I'm new here, I do not think I will get accepted, Stacey said in low spirit.

Nonsense! No one is rejecting you on my watch, Nathan said as he grabbed Stacey by the hand to introduce her to the team.

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Weekend came and Stacey was home doing some reading, Amber was in the kitchen cooking in bulk for the coming week as she had no take-home task for the weekend. The doorbell rang, who could that be? Amber wondered as she got to the door. She opened the door and saw Nathan.

Hello, are you lost? Amber queried.

No ma'am, I'm looking for Stacey, our teammates are arriving soon for the game and I thought I'd get her up on an early start since she has no idea how to play pickleball.

Pickle what now? Amber asked confused.

Pickleball Nathan responded, trying not to laugh.

Amber stood there in her confused state and said: You say you want Stacey?

Nathan nodded in agreement.

Stacey!!! Amber yelled, facing the staircase and raising her face upwards.

Stacey came running down and was shocked to see Nathan.

What are you doing here? Stacey asked in a hush tone as she walked towards the door.

Oh! I see you both know each other, Amber said in a displeasing tone.

Stacey, in a bid to lighten the tensed atmosphere, tried introducing Nathan to Amber, but Amber wasn't interested as she sorts to know what game they had that Stacey never told her about.

Nathan could sense some trouble looming and said he'd just have to go if it's a bad time and then left.

Seeing that Nathan was gone, Stacey became furious and stormed upstairs to her room.

Amber turned off her cooking and went upstairs to Stacey's room, but the door was locked. She knocked but there was no response and this angered her as she felt she was only trying to protect Stacey. She turned to live but stopped half way and went back to the door.

Stacey, Amber called out trying to be calm. I know you might feel I'm a terrible mom, but if that's what it takes to protect you from making the same mistakes that I did, then I'm not sorry. I'll keep being a terrible mom to you and you better behave because not many people are as fortunate as you are.

By now Stacey was boiling and decided to face her mother squarely as she's been running away from confrontations between them.

Stacey opened the door and yelled, I would rather not be this fortunate mom, I do not want to build my life around a career at the expense of my family. You lost dad, now you are loosing me too, and you can't even see that because you are hung up on your job and won't even let me live my life.

You ungrateful little brat, after all I have done for you? Amber cuts in, enraged.

I have given you everything Stacey, I gave you a home, a quality education, a decent life, where was your lying abusive father when I had to go hungry so you could eat?

Where was he when I was taken advantage of because I needed money for your health care? Things improved we are at an advantaged position now all thanks to my hard work, my sweat! And I'm suddenly the bad guy? I am the reason your irresponsible father left.

I am hung up on my job because I want the best for you Stacey and that's why I suffered.

I suffered so much so you wouldn't experience life like I did, Amber said as she broke down in tears and Stacey was dumb founded.

Feelings of remorse started creeping in and by now the tension in the atmosphere started receding as Stacey held her mother and they both cried. Stacey apologized for being insensitive and explained her plight.

I just wanted you to understand me mom, I want you to be there for me, I will never hurt you, I'm so sorry. Stacey cried bitterly as Amber cried.

After wearing out their emotions in tears, both women sat on the floor resting their backs on the wall then Amber said to Stacey, you know the day is still bright for some sporting activities.

Stacey smiled and said it's fine mom, not like I know how to play anyway.

You will learn, Nathan seems to be a good kid and I trust you will behave. Amber said jokingly while still trying to pass a message.

Stacey jumped up and got into a red t-shirt and short, with white sneakers, and headed out to join Nathan and the rest teens in the game of pickleball.

As Amber continued cooking, she resolved within herself to not chase wealth at the expense of her daughter.