Wherewithal

Written in response to https://fivedotoh.com/2023/08/13/fowc-with-fandango-wherewithal/

‘Wherewithal, I haven’t got the money to pay you back,’ Sarah said, trying to sound like she knew what she was doing.

‘I’m afraid we cannot use that as an excuse, you needed to budget better. Just because the shopping bill has gone up, doesn’t mean you pay that much. There are other ways of paying off your overdraft.’

The bank manager, sitting there in his made-to-measure suit, would never understand how difficult it was to make a choice between paying the bills or feeding your family. She worked two jobs, and her husband worked long hours. They still couldn’t afford to give them healthy food.

‘I just need a few more days, until my wages come in, and I can pay what I owe,’ she said, pulling at a stray piece of cotton on her frayed Jacket.

‘We can do that, but we are going to have to charge you ten pounds for going into your overdraft.’

Her face blasted red; enough was enough.

‘So, I cannot afford to pay you because I have gone over my overdraft, you make it worse by adding ten pounds to your charges. I mean, do you know what ten pounds actually means to my family. I can buy them a meal for two days with that. I am struggling, yet you sit there, behind your desk, not worrying about a full stomach, or paying the electric or the gas this month. Perhaps I should rob a bank, at least that way I would have three proper meals a day!’ Was what she wanted to say. Instead she said, ‘thank you, that is kind.’

She didn’t want to add, that by payday, there were other bills she needed to pay.