Justin had been pestering Kevin to ask him about the current situation in the army base and his uncle Lee. Since Kevin had no interest in joining the conversation, he had no idea what they were laughing at.
"Uncle Kevin, how's uncle Lee doing? I haven't heard from him for ages! Has he completely forgotten about me?" Justin asked. It had been a long time since Justin left the army base, and he was worried that Lee might have forgotten him. They used to be very close and now he wouldn't even make a phone call.
"What are you talking about?! That's not possible! Lee could never ever forget you! If you miss him so much, why don't you go to the army base next weekend with your mom?" Kevin laughed and pinched his cute little nose. When Justin used to live in the army base before, Lee always played with him. He used to teach him how to shoot with a sling, how to climb trees, and how to escape forest mazes. They had this special relationship and Justin perceived Lee as his older brother. That was why he missed Lee so much after having left the army base. Some part of his life had been left behind.
"But mom always refuses to take me to the army base. She's always too busy for that." Justin looked down and pursed his lips angrily. He had the best time in his life there and really missed everything about the army base, even the waking-up-at-5am-thing. There had been of course hard days — lack of snacks, lots of work, and not enough sleep. But as long as he and his mother depended on each other, he had nothing to complain about.
How about this: next time, you'll tell your mother that you want to come and visit me in the army base. This way she won't have to leave work extra to take you there," Kevin suggested and smiled warmly at Justin. While talking to the boy, Kevin looked often at the door. He was eager and was wondering why it took Leena so long to come back.
Claire, are you seeing someone?" Daisy asked casually. There were a lot of people in the room. Men and women sat together around the small tables and were enjoying their small talk.
"No, I'm single." Claire smiled shyly and stole a glance at Rain. He was sitting next to Edward and both seemed to be having a very deep discussion. And even though Edward looked much more attractive than Rain, Claire had a crush on Rain. She didn't want dependable men. Claire preferred men with glib tongues, playboys as her friend was joking.
"Really? I don't believe it! You are such a pretty girl. Why are you not dating anyone?" Belinda overheard the conversation. "Is it because your parents think you are too young to date someone? Or... you are picky in choosing a boyfriend?" she smirked at Claire.
"Or maybe it's because I'm a capricious and selfish girl," Claire answered and looked away. She was telling the truth. She had been indeed this girl before. But now no one believed what she said. She was just being modest, they thought.
"Come on, Claire! You must be joking. You are such a lovely girl. I think the guys are too blind not to ask you out," Daisy said slowly on purpose, so everyone at the table could pay attention. As expected, all men present gave Daisy a long blaming look.
"Daisy, if you want to mock Edward, just do it, but only him! Why did you drag us in? We have nothing to do with this!" Rain was a simple-minded person, and he was always the first one to react.
"Rainy Honey, are you trying to say I'm not good enough for Edward? He's been blind to fall in love with me?" As the saying goes, "He that lies down with dogs must rise up with fleas." Since Daisy had been with Edward, she became as sly as a fox like her husband. She blinked at Rain with a pair of innocent eyes as if she didn't realize that she had easily set Rain against Edward.
"Damn! Daisy, you did that on purpose, right? Rainy Honey? You sure you want to call me like that? You make me feel like a sissy!" Rain spurted out the tea water that he had just drunk. Luckily, he didn't spurt it all over Duke this time.
"Sissy? I don't think so." Daisy pretended to be confused by Rain's reaction and blinked innocently at him. She once heard Cynthia calling him "Rainy Honey" and found it really funny, so she decided to make fun of him with it now.
Leaning back lazily, Edward gave his wife an approving smile and thought to himself, 'Babe, you are becoming cunning as I am, and I love that!"
"Uncle Rain, you are being such a fool. Why did you try to argue with my mommy? She's daddy's favorite. You're screwed!" Justin's voice filled the room as he looked at Rain, making fun at his misery. Though it seemed like he was reminding Rain, he was inflaming the situation actually.
Nooo, I was not arguing with her, but I strongly disagree with her statement that men are too blind not to ask Claire out." Rain sighed with profound resignation. He was for sure not trying to offend Edward's beloved wife. If someone had ever done that, Edward would in no way tolerate this. Rain had no guts to set himself against Edward, as everybody else.
"Are you questioning my choice?" Edward asked in a slow yet firm tone as he decided to join his wife in torturing Rain.
"Edward, please don't make fun of me. You know, I never dare to disrespect you in any way." Rain was almost crying now. All he wanted was somebody to come and rescue him from this devastating discussion he threw himself in.