Stella My Wife

Fred stared at the empty pot carefully placed on the kitchen table. He wondered why his wife would be so meticulous in keeping the pot as though there was food. He had thought there was food in it when he saw it.

"Honey, why did you keep the pot as if there's food in it, you aroused my hope", Fred asked his wife, Stella.
"Why would your hope be aroused? Did you bring any money for food?" Stella was obviously unhappy with the state of things, he wasn't too.

"There was no need to get into a fight with her, I would be better off looking for solutions ", Fred thought to himself.

"I will be going out to meet Harry, he has a job offer to discuss with me", he told Stella
"A different job from your painting job?" Stella asked.
"Not really", He said, "it's about painting but it's a deal like no other. That's what he said on the phone ".

"I wish you well my love, make enough money so we can stop starving" Stella pleaded and stood up to give him a hug.

Fred's painting job has not been bringing him much money of recent he didn't know why but he was keen on whatever deal Harry was bringing, anything for the cash.

Harry was glad to see him, "how are you doing Fred, how is your wife?"
"Fine fine, hunger is dealing with us. What's the deal you talked about?" Fred was impatient.

"Chief Kene wants to repaint his palace, he has given me the contract that's why I called you", Harry began.
"I told him it would take about a month because of the number of rooms but he said he has an event in two weeks and as such that's the timeframe".
"So we have two weeks to repaint the whole palace? How much is he paying?" Fred asked.
"$400, on one condition", Harry said.

Fred's eyes widened, the thought of getting $200 in two weeks appealed to him. He hasn't made that much in about six months.
"What is this condition?"

"The money would come at the end of the work, if we are able to finish before time but if we don't beat the deadline, he will pay us $200" Harry explained.

It was still not a bad deal for Fred, but his mind was set on getting the full price.
"What are we waiting for? Let's get to work. I need that $200 to myself". Fred said, packing his bags and getting up. "We sink or swim", he said, forgetting how hungry he was, the only thing going through his mind was the $200 and what it would do for him and his wife.

When they got to the palace, they reported to chief that they have come to start the work.
Chief Kene reminded them of the importance of the time frame and the repercussions of not finishing before two weeks.

The work begun immediately and the two men were doing their best. Fred was faster than Harry and would urge him to put in his best.

The palace was a big project, with each passing day it became obvious that they would not be able to finish the work.l without help.
Chief observed this too.
"Young men, with this pace you are going, this work would not be ready by next week", chief said at the end of the first week.
"Don't worry chief, we would do it", Fred assured him.

When chief left, Fred brought a suggestion to Harry.
"I want to go home and get my wife so she can assist us"
"Why? Can she do the job" Harry was skeptical.
"Yes but she would mainly do the little things that are taking our time like mixing and carrying the buckets, she can also do the first layer painting while we now apply the finishing touches".

Harry saw reason with him, he was already thinking of bringing another painter but was not ready to split the pay any further.
"Alright, no problem. Anything to secure the bag" Harry conceded.

Stella proved to be highly valuable and unexpectedly skillful.
She ensured that much time was saved as she was attentive to need, mixing at the right time and doing a good first layer painting that required little effort in the finishing.
As a result of her efforts, they finished with one day to go.

Chief was very happy and pleased.
"Nice job gentlemen and ladies. I am happy that the work was finished and my ceremony can kick off without any delays". He said.

"We tried our best not to disappoint you and that was why I brought my wife when it became obvious that we needed more hands", Fred said, trying to make way for his wife to be rewarded too.
"That's good, I am very impressed. She was as efficient as the both of you". Chief agreed. "I will be sending $450 to Harry, the extra $50 is for the lady".

"Thank you very much sir", the couple responded.
"Thank you sir", Harry echoed and proceeded to send his account details.

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The Image is mine

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