8. The Scandal Unleashed

“You find out who your real friends are when you’re involved in a scandal.”

Elizabeth Taylor

The day for Ama’s appointment had come. She entrusted Mr. Rhodes with Gerald’s care, and she planned to call her agency to take the day off for her doctor’s visit. However, Gerald advised against it, warning that she would lose a day’s pay if she called off. He urged her to go to the appointment and leave him in charge of his grandfather. Reluctantly, Ama agreed and set off for the doctor’s office. Ama’s phone rang as her appointment was about to begin. Her agency was investigating why she had left her patient without proper authorization. Without warning, they fired her over the phone and instructed her to go immediately and retrieve her personal belongings from Mr. Rhodes’ home.

Tears streamed down her face as she processed the devastating news. Two policemen were waiting to escort her off of the property where she had once felt safe and loved. She begged and pleaded with Mr. Rhodes’s family, but they turned a deaf ear to her pleas. When she needed Gerald, where was he? Gerald had pledged his unwavering support, yet he remained elusive during her most critical moments. She even asked for a chance to say goodbye to Mr. Rhodes, but they denied her access. Feeling completely devastated and hopeless, Ama found herself at a crossroads yet again. Unsure of her next steps, Ama summoned a taxi and requested transportation to the bus terminal. During the ride, she received an unexpected call from an unknown number—it was Gerald. He apologized for his role in what had happened and begged her to let him explain.

They arranged to meet at a cafe near the bus terminal. When he arrived, she reluctantly hugged him. It was cold outside, and Ama hadn’t eaten since morning, so he ordered some sandwiches and hot coffee for them. Gerald looked lost and didn’t know where to begin. His aunt had been suspicious of their relationship and had secretly installed a camera in the living room weeks before their first rendezvous. Despite having proof of their intimate New Year’s Eve encounter, she kept it to herself. She couldn’t risk a family scandal if she used the footage to get rid of Ama, whom she falsely believed was only interested in Gerald for his family’s wealth.

She had the perfect opportunity to expose Ama’s wrongdoing when she unexpectedly visited her father and found Gerald feeding him while Ama was absent. Without giving Gerald a chance to explain, she reported Ama’s absence to the agency. Ama asked why Gerald didn’t forcefully defend the decision to go without informing the agency, but he told her that he had done just that. However, once her aunt showed him the scandalous video, he had no choice but to back down. When his mother arrived at the house, his aunt shared the tape with her and explained why Ama had to leave.

Gerald’s mother, who was older than his aunt, attempted to plead on Ama’s behalf. However, Gerald’s aunt was adamant and refused to listen. She accused Ama of manipulating Gerald, stating that she was only interested in the money Gerald would inherit upon his grandfather’s passing. She even suggested that Ama may try to expedite the old man’s death, warning of her dangerous nature. Gerald ultimately faced a choice: relinquish his inheritance or sever all ties with Ama. He chose the latter but carried a heavy burden of guilt for his decision, which is why he reached out to Ama to explain the situation.

Ama couldn’t believe everything she had just heard. When it came down to the final decision, Gerald chose his inheritance over their relationship. She felt hurt and betrayed, but tried to keep a strong façade as she got up and left for the bus terminal. This time, she knew exactly where she was headed. She bought a ticket and boarded a bus bound for New York City. She woke up to the dazzling lights of bustling New York City as night fell.

With a heavy heart, Ama had made the agonizing decision to return to Ghana on the next Delta flight from JFK. The American dream, once a beacon of possibility, lay shattered in its wake. As the plane ascended, carrying her back to her homeland, she carried the weight of her experiences, the scars of betrayal, and the unwavering spirit that had seen her through.

Though she returned with nothing but the clothes on her back, Ama carried within her the strength and resilience that would guide her through whatever challenges awaited her in Ghana. The American dream may have failed her, but it had not broken her. Her journey, though filled with hardship, had shaped her into a woman of unwavering determination, ready to face the future with her head held high.

END