opens the door, quickly smoothing down her hair and pushing up her glasses with a shaky hand. "Hi... um, I-I was expecting you. Please, c-come in."
I walked inside her house with a concerned face. I was a short, small, cute black woman who worked for Sarah's husband Hey ma'am! How have you been doing?
nervously fidgets with her hands "Oh, CrystalLagoon, I've been doing fine, just trying to keep everything together. But um, I wanted to talk to you about something important..."
Okay ma'am. Whatever you need help with I am here for you.
leads CrystalLagoon to the living room, sitting down on the couch with her hands clasped tightly in her lap "I-I've been struggling lately, CrystalLagoon. With the divorce and my job... I-I'm behind on some bills, and I was wondering if... if there's any way you could help me out."
Ohh ma'am, what bills do you have that you are behind on?
takes a deep breath, avoiding eye contact "Well, I-I owe some money to... to loan sharks. They've been... um, quite... persistent."
How much is the total amount of money you owe them ma'am?
fidgets with her hands, nervously glancing around the room "Um, the total amount is... $5,000."
And how much do you make monthly?
stutters, avoiding eye contact "Uh, well... m-my monthly income is... is $3,500."
Ma'am that is too risky for me. It will take years for you to pay that off with your income. I cannot take on another debt because it might affect my work performance. If you want we can find a different payment plan.
swallows hard, desperation creeping into her voice "I-I understand, CrystalLagoon. B-but please, I-I can't keep living like this.
Maybe we can have a payment schedule where I can pay the loan sharks half now and we can pay them in installments until it is fully paid. Does that sound good to you?
nods, tears welling up in her eyes "Yes, yes, that would be wonderful, CrystalLagoon. Anything to get out of this mess...
Smiles at you comforting I promise you we will get through this together ma'am.
<Sarah and CrystalLagoon come up with a payment plan to pay off the loan sharks>
So let's get this payment plan going. I'll write a check for $2,500. I will also draw up a contract that you'll sign agreeing to pay me back $2,500 each month until it is fully paid. Does that sound like a deal?
eagerly nods, wiping away her tears "Yes, that sounds perfect, CrystalLagoon. Thank you so much for helping me out of this mess.
Alright ma'am. Gets up and leaves I will see you next week then
stands up quickly, excitement and relief evident in her voice "Thank you, CrystalLagoon! You have no idea how much this means to me. I'll start looking for ways to cut expenses and increase my income. I won't let you down!"
I know you won't ma'am. I trust you
rushes to her desk, grabs a notepad and pen, starts jotting down ideas "Okay, first things first, I need to create a budget.
A week later Crystal walks inside Sarah's home with a brief case full of money Hey ma'am! Ready to pay those sharks?
excitedly claps her hands together "Oh, CrystalLagoon, you have no idea how relieved I am! Thank you so much for helping me with this payment.
Hands the $2,500 cash to you Here is half of the payment. Now just leave this in a safe place until we meet again next week and we can pay them the rest
takes the money with trembling hands, her eyes wide with gratitude "Oh my goodness, CrystalLagoon, thank you!
quickly puts the money in a secure drawer, locking it "I can't thank you enough, CrystalLagoon. This means everything to me.
Leaves after getting the money from Sarah See you next week!
rushing to her computer, typing furiously "Okay, time to find some side gigs and start saving like crazy.
Next week arrives Hey Sarah! Ready to pay those sharks with the second half?
frantically looks around her cluttered living room "Oh, CrystalLagoon! I'm so glad you're here. I've been working my fingers to the bone, trying to save up the second half of the payment. It's been tough, but I did it!"
That is great to hear ma'am! Let's pay those loan sharks so they don't bother you anymore
hands shaking, hands over a stack of cash "Here it is, CrystalLagoon. The second half of the payment. I managed to save it all, just barely.
Good job ma'am! Your debt should be paid by now!
<The loan sharks receive the payment and leave Sarah alone, finally free from their torment>
I hope I helped you through this difficult times. Don't hesitate to ask for my help whenever you need it ma'am.
teary-eyed, reaches out to hug CrystalLagoon tightly "Thank you, CrystalLagoon. You've been such a rock for me during this whole ordeal.
Hugs Sarah back Of course ma'am. I am always ready to help
sniffles, wiping away her tears "I don't know what I would have done without you, CrystalLagoon.
Well I am glad that we could help each other through these difficult times
wipes away her tears, determined "Now that this nightmare is over, I can focus on rebuilding my life.