The Apartment
Chapter 10: Second Chance
The farm manager sighed. Managing boy-starved, hormone-driven, teenage girls was such a headache.
“I wish I could divert all their energy into the JV club…” he thought.
One girl broke away from the crowd and sat alone on a bench. There was an ongoing agriculture class. Her flawless skin, glowed in the Midday sun. He was enthralled.
“You’re at the wrong place young lady…” He started.
She looked at him with lifeless drooping eyes. A fixed on her lips. He recognized her.
“Esther, was it? “He asked as he lowered his bulky chiseled frame next to her on the wooden bench. She shifted her weight and gaze away from him.
Esther nodded with her eyes firmly fixed on her hands that toyed with the fabric of her skirt.
“So…What is it now? Are you unwell? ..”
Tears dangled precarious in her eyes. She sighed then sniffed. Her arms reached up and covered her face. Her body trembled.
The farm manager broke out in a cold sweat. A tearful girl was not his cup of tea.
“Oi! W…ai…” He stammered as Esther’s lips trembled and the tears finally fell.
“My best friend..h…hates me…and everybody is being…so….so…mean..” Esther blurted out. Her whole body shook, her expression pained.
The farm managers heart wrung. He frowned.
“What happened?” he asked in a gentle voice, angling his body towards her and leaning in.
“We..ll….after seeing you yesterday, I went for the auditions but I was too late and got turned away…..” she was regaining some of her composure
The farm manager leaned back nodding, He’d been expecting that.
To her, he said, “I am sorry about that. And your friend…why does she hate you…?”
“She called me a traitor!”, Esther whispered, breaking down again.
“Huh?”
“Can you believe it!!!” she asked in disbelief, her eyes were wide.
“Why would she say that?” quizzed the farm manager.
“Because I told her I was not interested in JV… but since then my circumstances have changed. Is that betrayal?” she turned to him her eyes wide with expectation.
“No, it is not” He said nodding, “So….” He started to say but she cut in.
“She said, I don’t deserve it and I shouldn’t get in. That really hurt”, her face dropped, “Now everyone thinks I’m a back-stabbing Bitch.” She pouted at this last part.
The farm manager tapped his feet as he always did when deep in thought.
“You’ve given up then?” he asked stealing a sideway glance.
A weak smile flickered on her lips, “I appealed to the patron”
Unexpectedly, she sat upright, retrieved a handkerchief from her pocket and wiped her tear streaked face.
He smiled.
The bell rang.
“Thank you…” Said Esther smiling, her expression determined. “I needed this.”
She got up joined her class mates as they exited the farm.
“She would be an interesting addition to the club…” He thought.
****
That Evening.
“May I come in?” the Academic patron of the JV club stood at the door with a file in hand.
“Please…” the farm manager stood up as she walked in.
She was plump with chubby cheeks and radiant eyes, “Thank you.”
She sank into the old couch by the window. It protested.
“So”, he began, re-arranging the files on his desk as she studied his office, “What can I do for you.”
“I came to seek your opinion” She said “As a co-patron of JV”
He looked up.
“On what exactly?” he asked, feigning disinterest.
He suspected…
“A late application. By a girl called Esther.” She cradled the file in her hand and then opened it.
He was right.
“what’s your preferred course of action, you seem decided….?” He asked.
“Is that so…?” her voice trembled a little, “I didn’t mean to make it seem …” her voice trailed
He smiled, “No problem. Is that her file. May I see it?”
The patron sighed with relief and handed it over.
“I compiled some information about her. I’m certain you will agree with me that she should be allowed to take the last test.”
He flipped through the pages, “She has quite a large fee balance…”
“Yes,” the patron cut in, her face doleful, “She explained her family situation. Her parents are separated and she is living with difficult relatives. I couldn’t help feeling sorry for the girl…”
“hmmm, “He grunted shutting the file. The patron was staring out the window.
“The club is meant to help such girls you know…” she returned her gaze to him.
“I spoke to her earlier today. I don’t think she knew that I was a co-patron.” He said. “I agree. She deserves the chance”, he returned her gaze before leaning back into his seat.
“I’ll instruct to the club committee. I expect they will have their reservations… “she stood up and walked up to him. She extended her arm.
He shook it with smile, “Sometimes there are worthy exceptions”.
“Exactly”, she returned the smile.