Unveiling My Life Events Mentoring

The Westside Stories Journey- Episode 6
Short Story by Marita Garcia Sanchez
Category: Fiction

Scene 17-The Surprise
Summer classes will end soon this August 30 and its getting cool and cloudy in the afternoon. But she has to finish her last few days training but she wears her new suit for cool weather. Romia received a surprised letter from the high school Principal with a post mark from the mission area. A name Walter Smith wants to see her as soon as she receives the letter and it is urgent. She proceeded immediately to get there after her last period of class. As she approached the high school Principal, she noticed that he was a bright, eager, gregarious little fellow with part French, Spanish-Filipino blood. He told her that the coach of football recommended her to occupy the caretaker's cottage because she is single and can afford to go to the athletic field daily from her home to coach the students but couldn't make the caretaker's responsibility of maintaining the clubhouse which is located just an opposite of the cottage. In the interval, the coach with a family should occupy it and live on the field to keep the fires up in the clubhouse so the pipes wouldn't freeze and also prevent university students and their girls from going to the cottage, using the place for their illicit love. "Well Sir, asked Romia I happen to see Ms Charity last month and she told me about this free cottage but I was not expecting that it will be too soon". "Oh yes, you could live in the cottage with rent free but in return, you have to keep the fire in the clubhouse. Electricity and gas for cooking would be supplied free. There is also a telephone for use but no long distance of course" he said. " But you have to supply your own fuel for the cottage" he added. "Okay, I accept the offer". Thank you for your generosity" she replied. "Here is the key" handing the key to Romia while requesting to take a look of it when her friend Tonie arrives. Afterwards the principal toured her to the clubhouse to show how she will be doing daily and sampled on how to put coal on the fire. "And keep in mind, its only until March next year". He said. "I understand Mr Smith", she replied over with the good bye handshake.

Scene 18- The Cottage Visit
"Its beautiful" said Tonie breathlessly "Just beautiful". Romia had her doubts. In the living room found at the ground floor, has a small table with two chairs and a telephone on the wall. The petite kitchen is also in the ground floor with a potbellied stove, and a small round table with two chairs, a wood and coal stove, a two burner gas plate and the minimum of dishes, pots and pans. The bedroom is found in the second floor with a double bed with drawers and a sofa bed with a dime store mirror above the side table with another small study table with two chairs. There is also an attic in the third floor to place some of their belongings. They can stay there while they want to see the full view of their neiborhood. The lighting in all the rooms was simple with a cord from the center of the ceiling with a naked bulb at the end. "Where's the bathroom?" Tonie asked. They looked all over but couldn't find it. A door in the kitchen which they thought it was a closet was a way to a toilet, a wash bowl and nothing more. "How do we take a bath?" She asked Romia. "Well, we have to go to the clubhouse and use the showers" "Imagine, getting dressed to go out to take a bath. That's fun". She answered Tonie. "We only have to buy our own sheets, blanket and pillows, pillow slips, and towels. "I have it all!" Tonie answered. So its only me who will buy my own then" she said. Romia thought of moving right away so after her class she bought her thick blanket and a bed sheet. She has her old towel and a pillow with a case in it. She used them in the dormitory where she stayed for almost three months. Tonie has to give notice first to her friend whom she stayed with while teaching the students during the summer term. Romia had two days of cleaning the backyard and keeping the clubhouse well maintained as part of her work to use the cottage free.

Scene 20- Tonie's moving out
It was a short grudge that Tonie hesitated to move to the cabin cottage right away. She didn't tell Romia how she feels about Mimie. But she has to do it fast because she is draining her money in paying a lot of expenses in Mimie's apartment. She has more expenses than income. She cannot say no to all the extravagant living she use of doing by using all the appliances that balloons payment of electric bills. If she is to ask about this, she would rather not to use them instead of having simple life in order to cut the expenses. "So long Tonie, I will miss you here" " Me too my friend" there was a sad goodbye releasing each others arms and they hugged. "But I need to move to the university's free cottage with Romia who is alone there" she said. "Its alright, I understand" she replied. " Well its not a bid goodbye but to wish you the best in your journey. Good luck" she said. "Thanks". Their hugs became very tight tearing apart from this scene.

Scene 21-Tonie in the Cottage
"Romia, I have a wonderful idea! I will buy some paint and a brush to paint the chairs and tables. What color do you want?" "Sis, look. We are going to give up this house when the new coach comes on March next year. We will be here only for 6 months. Do you get me?' "Sure, but even so, I'd like to.make it look nice while we are here". "Don't Tonie please, if you make it too nice, it will break your heart to leave it. Besides, we need blankets, bed sheets and cushions to make us comfortable during winter. We also need gas and coal on our fireplace especially these cold months we are approaching. And we need to cut our cost to buy our food, coffee, and more in the kitchen in order to survive". "Alright Romia, I won't paint the chairs and tables then". She finally agreed with her. Early in the morning Romia went out to buy some bread and coffee from the store near the cottage. Then she took her hot coffee and ate the bread without sandwich in it. She only toasted the bread and its done for her. Then she went to the clubhouse to check on its maintenance and took her shower and the went for a walk around the new community. While she was out, Tonie took the broom, mop and little slivers of soap that smelled like carbolic from the clubhouse to give the kitchen a thorough cleaning. She got her skirt turned as curtains and placed them to the two windows. Fortunately, there were curtain rods attached to the windows. She hunged the curtains and they looked fine. The house became better and attractive with her striped red and blue skirts in the windows.

Scene 22- Enrollment in the University
The evaluation of students during university's enrollment is the main function of Romia's job. She administers the entrance examination and prepare a report on each student entry to the university high school seniors and interview them after the exams. They attend the block sectioning depending on the performance they will show in the written and oral exams. Romia's attention was caught when Sharon and her daughter Crippy came to register. She saw them while theyare approaching the office of the registrar. She said " Ms Sharon, hows you doing here?" She seemed to forget how she met her and made her eyebrows meet as though she didn't know her, thinking where they met each other. "Romia, here !Remember? We met in a train going to San Francisco" then she easily thought of her and answered "Ah yes, I remember. You are in charge? She asked. "I am fine but my daughter has a problem, I guess" she added. "I will take her name, Here is a form. Please write all about your daughter and give it back to me" she said with a smile. "That's gracious". "Thanks a lot!" She got the form, filled out the information then returned it to her.

Scene 24- The Final Interview
After the entrance examination, Creepy was waiting for her name to be called. Seems that she is nervous while waiting she is singing a song while reading the lyrics from her notebook. Then, she was called to be next in line for her personal interview. "How do you feel Creepy? Romia asked. "I don't know what to say, I am.not really comfortable this semester to study" she answered. "Why? What is bothering you today?" She asked. "Nothing Ms Romia, I just want to pass the singing audition in the next door after this interview but I haven't memorized the lyrics of this song" "What do you like to be taking in college after your senior high school?" She asked. "I won't go to college anymore, Ms Romia". "How did you say that Creepy?"My mother will be creating a singer out of me, and I want to impress her by passing this audition" she said. "Will she drop her career just because she will be creating you as singer?" "Yes Ms Romia, she will be producing her own Record Studio and put up a Performing Arts School soon.". "Wow that's great Creepy but you will surely miss your university life. Romia resonded. "I will". she said. "I am the university representative for women's football team this spring, the reason of my early enlistment with Ms Charity this fall". She added. "You mean, you will be missing your athletic stints?" She asked. "Yes, I do and a lot of friends, classmates and teachers, missing them all" she said. "You said you do, why not try doing all these at the same time with your interests in singing, athletics and college life then?" She asked. " I love my mom so much. I missed the days that when she and I have no time for each, she was out in her setting". "Now, this is my chance to be with her. But only when I pass the audition. If I fail this audition, I will also fail mom's expectations". She relayed with awe and teary eyes. "Why don't you sing any of the songs you are most familiar with and comfortable singing then? She asked. "But my mom told me that this song is the best rendition for me to sing on my audition. However, I couldn't match the low toned pitch of this song to my voice. I sing soprano and when I try this song with my voice, Its more like singing without confidence". She is almost haft shaken with tears. "Creepy, the evaluators will be rating your confidence in singing than the type of song you choose to sing" She said. "Promise Ms Romia?" Her eyes brightened. "Yes, your confidence and your voice matters". Thanks a lot. I will do what you suggested. "That's all Creepy, have a nice day and good luck for your next evaluation. "I am done with my interview?" "Yes, if you have more questions, then ask" she said. Well and good thanks again.

To be continued....hang on.