Walk A Different Path 🤍 Jaa/First

Chapter 9 ~ one day at a time ~

He had thanked them sincerely and even when he had mentioned a fee for the modelling he'd done, Maskwa had told him that it wasn't important and that he was doing it for him, he was such an unassuming person he made Sam feel ashamed.

Ashamed of his trashy clothes and equally trashy lifestyle, of his fake flamboyant persona that he'd only adopted due to his line of work and ashamed that he'd just 'had' to blow a small fortune on his imported convertible.

He'd thought he had it all, a luxury apartment in the best part of the city, a nice car, wealthy friends whom he would go clubbing with at the weekends and yet ...

he couldn't do anything other than modelling, he couldn't go out there and catch something that would feed his loved ones, he couldn't make something beautiful to sell, he could do nothing.

Maskwa deserved someone better than the person he was and with that in mind he made the decision that after he left the mountain he was going to go away for a while and take a good look at his life and what he was doing with it.

"are you ok Sam?" Maskwa asked.

He had been watching his face as he'd looked around the shop and had seen his expression change from happiness to a deep sadness.

"yeah, I'm fine Maskwa, I just kinda' realised that I'm pretty useless compared to you" Sam gave a self deprecating laugh.

"no you're not, I didn't come into this world knowing what I know now Sam, I was taught how to do it and I can teach you too but I wouldn't teach you to hunt, 

there is nothing clever about taking a life, I don't do it for sport, it is so my family and neighbours can eat well for several months and I thank and respect the animals for giving up their lives so that we can live"

"you're amazing Maskwa, you, your parents and your people" Sam replied.

"I don't see myself like that, I just try to be a good person and often I fall short" Maskwa replied.

"anyway, you have a lovely shop" Sam said.

"thank you ... do you want to head back to the house now?" Maskwa asked.

"I guess we should" Sam replied.

"then let's go and we'll have some lunch" Maskwa said making sure everything was locked up as they headed out

The house was quiet since Maskwa's parents had left yesterday and when they got back, Maskwa and Sam ate a sandwich while Sam asked questions.

"does it get warm in summer up here?"

"sometimes, I guess it's like anywhere" Maskwa had replied.

"what's it like ... in Summer I mean" Sam had asked.

"same as Winter but no snow" Maskwa had laughed

"very funny! but seriously"

"yeah it's warmer obviously but there is still snow on high ground" Maskwa replied.

"so what are we doing this afternoon?" Sam asked.

"we can do whatever you like" Maskwa said.

"well to be honest I suppose I should do some laundry" Sam said.

"ok, I'll help" Maskwa offered and after lunch they both set to and got the laundry done and when the washing machine was finished, Sam pulled everything into a basket before wondering what to do next.

"er ... where should I hang everything?" Sam said.

"come on, I'll show you" Maskwa said carrying the basket and leading Sam upstairs then up into a loft.