Not the First
About Dad

In the past, our family was a well-off family. I work at a government-owned construction company with a pretty decent salary.

But since he was stricken, the father was forced to retire early and leave the job that supported the entire family needs. Some of the paternity pensions paid upfront are used by mothers to open businesses.

"If this money we use for kitchen needs without any effort, address our wretched, Dad," said the mother at the time. I heard them having a pretty serious discussion in the room.

"How can this money be muter, we must make a business in lieu of our financial resources. There is still capital. What yes?" ask me to ask for consideration from Dad

"If the potential ready-to-eat food business is good. Around us many employees slash companies that pass by every day. But it's too tired. To pay for the services of a maid seems less good. Especially at the beginning of the business and capital that we have quite thin," said Father.

"Yes, ready-to-eat food businesses must have extra energy. Who wants to help mom? Children are still small and learning will be disrupted if you have to help me," said Mother.

"Rubber, Ma!"

Silent.....

Rey could hear it all because the door to their room was not tightly closed. Mom just took Dad to the bathroom after peeing.

Rey who was working on the construction of the ice stick was not yet asleep. He finished his work in the living room.

We live in the regency area which is the center of coal mining in South Sumatra. Due to the rapid development of mining business in this city. Some famous mining companies in Indonesia got a business license to dig the bowels of this small town.

Since then, the city has had a new source of income. Various city facilities were repaired. The economic sector is growing so rapidly. The income of the citizens also increased.

The mining companies are not only recruiting regional workers, for their experts still bring in employees from outside the area and even foreign labor.

"What if Laudry's a kilo, Dad?" mother's proposal. After a long time there was no sound from the room.

"Can too. The initial capital is quite large, but if we have regular customers, we will have a stable income" said Father responding to the mother's proposal.

"It could also be Mom, as a first step we should make a promotion to mess-mess employees in sanam. I haven't seen any similar efforts around here," I'm getting more enthusiastic.

This opportunity became a shot of the mother to open a laundry business because among the mine employees who live in mess employees, on average far from family. With the laundry services such as mother's efforts to ease their duties.

"Well, we open the kiloan laudry. How much capital for one washing machine and other supplies, yeah?" ask mom while counting something.

"Father, our savings are still enough. We buy a washing machine first. If it develops can add more units," Dad gave advice to Mom.

"Buy cash, ma'am, don't let installments can ensnare our family's difficult economy. As much as possible avoid any credit, well," he added again.

"good. Tomorrow I will find information on the price of a special laundry washing machine. In the meantime, the front room we use as a business room,"

"Yes, no problem. Doni can still sleep in the back room if he has dared to sleep alone," Dad's voice chimed in.

It's been five years running. Mother's efforts are growing. Starting a business with only one washing machine and dozens of customers, now I have added two more machines. Customers are increasing.

Of the regular customers of mothers, some come alone to deliver and take their laundry. There are also those who request shuttle service, of course at an additional cost.

But only a few choose the shuttle service. Usually those who live in large mess or equivalent project leaders in those companies.

Not to mention if there are affairs outside the house such as shopping for laundry needs if you do not have time to do it and plus the pick up laundry from customers.

"You're the only one I can count on in this house.

You have to help me, Dad," said the mother at the time.

"Your brother is physically weak. He doesn't have the courage like you. While your sister was a child. So who else would you ask if not for you" she added.

"Yes, Mom. Rey's gonna help with Mom's work" Rey said.

All the work Rey did starting from five in the morning until the end of Isya. Mother was more responsible to me because I could never refuse mother's request and I was also considered the most deft at work than my sister and sister Nay.

Indeed the money earned from this venture could not meet the needs of the five of us. Mothers who are accustomed to living well while the father is still working are not easily able to replace the role of the father perfectly to meet the needs of the household.

His habit of consuming clothes and mingling with socialite mothers often have to bulldoze money that should be for the benefit of the kitchen.

To buy the desired item, the mother even bought it on credit. Of course, the price is higher than the normal price.

No wonder if in the morning or afternoon there is always someone who comes to the store to collect installments. Neither debt nor money.

Not to mention having to buy medicines for the father, the cost of therapy and other needs. No wonder our family life is so dependent on loans. Dig the hole close the hole more precisely.

I'm the most grounded in this house. If there is a sudden need and the mother has no money at all, I am the mother who offered to borrow money at the request of the mother to some people who are still loyal to our family.

Sometimes I feel ashamed of all this. The cynical attitude of people I go to for money often makes me feel ashamed, not to mention other disgusting treatments.

Rey was once seduced by her long-time neighbor. At that time my mother asked Rey to come to the house because she wanted to lend money to my mother for business capital.

Rey got scared and passed the behavior on to mom. But with his cynical tone and cold attitude, I think Rey is too much.

"He is old. Even far above your father's age. They have been like our same family since. Don't macem you. How could he be willing to act immoral to a snot child like you," replied the mother in such a high tone

Our family that used to be known as a family that is quite located, we live must continue to live in a way that is not ceaselessly idling.

The father who found all this was just resigned. There was nothing more he could do from his seat in a wheelchair.

Although he was ashamed, but he did not have the courage to give advice to his mother. Not because of fear, but because my father had memorized the character of the woman who had accompanied him for twenty years.

***Figure Father Illustration***