The Maid Who Stayed

It was midnight when Michael suddenly lost his sleep. He sat at the edge of his bed, his mind running through many things.

"Sarah has indeed left me" he murmured to himself. He went to his drawer and picked up the letter she left behind. Tears rolled down his eyes.

"Whom can I talk to? I don't want to talk to Emilia much about my pain." He is already feeling emotionally attached to Emilia, but he wants to suppress it as much as possible.

"Oh, Dr Nathan. I have not informed him." He whispered. Dr Nathan is their family doctor, but he's secretly having an affair with Sarah.

Michael picked up his phone; the phone rang twice before Dr Nathan picked up.

"Hello Michael, why are you calling this time? This is an odd hour". Dr Nathan asked in curiosity. Sarah has not informed him about her divorce, she was avoiding him.

"I am sorry, Nathan, I am just bothered. And I need to talk to someone". He admitted. "Sarah left me with two kids; it's two weeks now that she packed and moved out of the house."

"What? You can't be Serious, Michael". Dr Nathan was surprised to hear the seemingly bad news. He wasn't surprised that Sarah left Michael, his amazement was the fact that Sarah didn't tell him.

"Whereas she left to?" He asked, "I don't know," Michael responded. "How are the kids doing now? Have you been able to take care of them?

Michael didn't know how to break the news to him that Emilia had come over to help him, "I am trying; their auntie is also trying." Nathan was surprised to hear him mention Auntie; he knows none of her sisters is nearby.

"Who is the auntie, you are talking about?" He asked, "Do you mean your sister travels down immediately to help you?"

"I mean Emilia, our maid. I called her after a week of her departure" he said softly. "I can't cope with looking for a job and taking care of these children; I pleaded to her for help."

"And do you think that is a good idea, Michael?" Nathan objected. "I know you need help but, a maid is not good for you at this moment. What do you think will be going on in the minds of your children?"

"What will those little kids be thinking?" Michael asked jokingly. "It's not funny, Michael. You know they might think Emilia is their stepmother".

"Oh, No. I have explained to the kids in the simplest way possible. There Mommy is gone, simple!" Michael said politely.

"I am thinking you should let Emilia go; I will find a way to talk to your wife." He said that to sound good and concerned to Michael. He thought the divorce would make him enjoy Sarah the more.

"I can't, I pleaded to her before she agreed to come. What would I say if it happened? And besides, how will I handle the children on my own?" Michael's voice is blunt.

"I understand you well Michael, just that... I am concerned about the future of the children."

"Thank you, Nathan," Michael said softly. "And if you have any vacancy I can apply for; please don't hesitate. "

"Sure, I have you in mind. I know financial responsibilities will be part of the reason she left.". Nathan's voice was hopeful.

"Exactly, that is the major reason " Michael interrupted him.

"Alright Michael, maybe we should fix a time in the day to talk more," Nathan suggested.

"It's not a problem; let me know the time that will be cool for you," Michael said.

"Goodbye," Nathan hung off the call.

Michael couldn't figure out why he would ask him to let Emilia go. Those statements were still puzzling him.

"I can't" he whispered to himself.

Emilia has been at the door waiting for him to end his conversation on the phone. She didn't hear all that was discussed on the phone, but she heard about the appointment.

"Michael, it's Emilia," she said. Her voice startled Michael. "You should be in bed by now," Michael asked.

"Your voice woke me up," she said softly, "I have been standing by the door for a while, waiting for our to end your call".

"Really?" Michael's heart raced; he thought she heard when Nathan asked him to let her go.

"I heard you booked an appointment with someone, who is that?". Michael felt a little bit relieved, "she didn't hear what Nathan said about her," he said in his heart. "It's Dr Nathan, our family doctor. I just informed him about what Sarah did".

"Oh, you should have done that in the day. It's late already." Emilia politely. "I am sorry for disturbing your sleep," Michael apologized. "You can go back to sleep, we will discuss more about it in the morning," he said.

Emilia left his room and held to the restroom before she went to her room. Michael grabbed the divorce letter again. He was having mixed feelings; pain and gratitude. Pain for being left by the mother of his children and gratitude for Emilia, who came to help him.

After a few minutes of mourning Sarah's departure, he retired to bed.

"I won't disappoint these kids," he said to himself.

****Morning****

Early in the morning before Nathan could even get up from bed, his phone rang. It was a call from Dr Nathan.

"Hello Michael, can we meet at 3:00pm today at my office?" Nathan asked. "Dr Nathan, thank you, I will meet you after I picked the kids From school." His voice is deep as if he's just waking up from sleep.

He jumped up from bed and went to check Emilia to see if she was awake. She met her in the kitchen preparing food for the kids.

"Good morning, Emilia," "... Michael, good morning!" She said. Emilia was surprised to see Michael, she thought he should be sleeping.

"I don't want you to do anything today, I want to relieve you of your task." Michael said, smiling, "are you serious?" she asked. " I will also be the one to take the kids from school today. Also, I want to meet with Dr Nathan," Michael said with a clear voice.

Emilia couldn't object to him; she needed to rest, after all. Taking care of kids can be troublesome sometimes.

"Thank you, Michael," she said politely, "I should be the one thanking you," Michael responded.

Emilia returned to her room and Michael took care of the kids that morning.