When Tables Turn

“My sweet daughter, I am grateful for how much you stood by me”, Alex’s mom said in a low voice, as she lay on her sick bed, where she had been diagnosed of cancer.

Alex grinned from ear to ear and replied, “You’re welcome mom, anything for you; I just want you to be healthy.”

Her mom replied, “I hope so too my honey.”

After staying for a while, Alex went home to rest.

On her way home, she began thinking of starting a business just to make money in order to fund her education and pay her mom’s hospital bills.

Alex luckily had a financially buoyant friend called Tracy, and she decided to go meet Tracy to help her raise capital.

On getting to Tracy’s flamboyant apartment, Alex narrated her ordeal.

Tracy was however not willing to help.

Alex kept on appealing to Tracy, but Tracy constantly ignored. Alex even went as far as meeting with relatives and other people to help her with funds, but all to no avail. She then opted for other options by applying for bank or private loans, but she was not qualified for either.

“Since I don’t have any other means of funding my business, I will just try the mega millions lottery. I really hope I win the jackpot.” Alex thought to herself.

Two days later, Alex quickly rushed to the grocery store as early as 8:00am and bought a mega millions ticket with mega plier, and waited for the drawing at night by 11:00pm. As soon as it was time for the drawing, Alex switched on the TV with lots of anxiety. Alas! the drawing took place…….

With a mixture of smiles and tears on her face, “Oh no! Won just the mega ball of $2? Damn!”

Her roommates asked, “What will you do now?” Alex stood reticent.

The following day as expected, she went with food to visit her mum at the hospital.

Her mom welcomed her with a painful smile.

She paused for a while, looked at Alex and said, “I have something urgent to tell you. I have kept it hidden from you long enough. Please pay careful attention”.

Alex responded, “Ok mom, I’m all ears”.

Her mom continued, “You see, anything can happen any moment from now, so take this little black notebook. In it contains a will written by your late father on an investment he began 20 years ago when you were born. The investment was to generate $1000 every year. So, by the end of this year, the money will total $20,000.

With shock written all over her face, Alex exclaimed, “Why didn’t you tell me all this while? Mom!”.

Her mom replied, “Your dad asked me not to tell you till the money is due. This small black book contains the details of everything you need to know about the inheritance, which includes the name of the company, its location, the amount expected to be received, and much more. Ensure you visit the company and make your claims. It is your right. Okay?”.

Alex immediately burst into tears and gave her mum a warm peck on her cheeks.

The doctor then walks in and requested Alex to see him in his office. On getting there, Alex was told her mum only had a few days to live, due to the severity of her condition. As soon as the doctor relayed this message, Alex shivered as her eyes turned bright red. The doctor had to make her calm while she returned to her mum’s ward.

Alex stayed for few more hours and left.

As soon as she left the hospital and got to her apartment, she showed her roommates the black book and told them it had a secret. However, she did not disclose full details of the will.

The following day, she could not find the small black notebook.

Her heart raced a bit.

“I kept my black book in the shelf. Who must have taken it?” Alex said with fury eyes as she looked at her two roommates. They both replied, “We don’t know”. Her first roommate replied, “Oh I think you left it on the dining table”. Alex quickly rushed to the dining and found it there.

Peace like a flowing river filled her heart as she gave a bright grin.

Not too long after, Alex’s mum died and she mourned her for months. Tracy on the other hand, fell ill and spent most of her life savings paying her bills. She regained health but became so low in cash.

Alex got her $20,000 entitlement following the details written in the small black notebook and soon got admission to study for her undergraduate degree in New York City. She consistently performed excellently in her academics.

It was now the end of her first session. On that day, it was really cold, there was snow droplets everywhere. All students were getting ready for the yearly awards presentation.

After the distribution of different gifts to awardees, the President finally announced, “And the student of the year award goes to…. Alex White!!!”. A standing and clapping ovation backed with large scream went round the school hall. In excitement, Alex gorgeously walked to the podium to receive her award. She was also granted scholarship to further her education into masters and doctorate degrees.

Alex’s joy knew no bounds.

Two weeks later, Alex was riding her car across downtown and saw Tracy afar off who now had no car.

As she got to where her friend was standing, Alex offered her a lift, and whispered silently,

“My table indeed turned!”