Lam stumbled through the automatic doors of the convenience store. His jaw throbbed like a drum solo, and his body felt like a particularly enthusiastic boxer had pummeled it.
As they entered, a startled cry pierced the air. Linda, Emily's mother, a kind-faced woman with worry lines etched around her eyes, dropped a box of instant noodles with a clatter. Her gaze darted between Emily's tear-streaked face and Lam's bruised visage.
"Emily! Lam! What happened?" she exclaimed, rushing towards them. "Why does Lam look like he got roughed up by a pack of wild dogs?"
Lam winced at the very apt description. "Uh, hi, Linda," he mumbled, forcing a smile that likely looked more like a grimace. "Just a little accident, nothing serious. I… tripped on the stairs."
Before he could elaborate on his rather pitiful lie, Emily blurted out the truth, her voice trembling slightly. "No, Mom! Uncle got hurt because he saved me from bullies! They were calling bad things, and uncle stood up for me, but then this big guy came and…"
Her voice trailed off, tears welling up again. Linda knelt before Emily, her face a mixture of concern and anger. A steely glint entered her eyes as she looked up at Lam.
"Bullies? At the park again? And you got hurt protecting my daughter?" she demanded, her voice a low growl.
"Yes, Linda, I'm sorry" he admitted. "I couldn't just stand by and let those kids pick on Emily."
Linda's initial anger softened as Lam's words sunk in. A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "Oh, Lam," she sighed, shaking her head but a hint of warmth in her eyes. "There's no need to apologize. I'm just glad you were there for Emily."
"What's all this commotion? Did someone break something?" It was Lam's grandmother, her small frame bustling through a curtain leading to the stockroom.
Linda filled Grandma Carla in on the events at the park, her voice laced with a mix of anger and concern. When she finished, she turned to Lam, her gaze firm but kind.
"Lam follow me to the beck, I will tend your wound" Lam followed Linda, his steps cautious as he settled into a chair at the familiar dining table.
Linda bustled around the kitchen, returning with a first-aid kit and a damp washcloth. As she began cleaning the scrape on his arm, her earlier concern morphed into a quiet sadness that gnawed at Lam.
"Hold still, that might sting a bit," Linda said, her voice soft.
Lam winced as the antiseptic solution hit the broken skin, but his focus was more on Linda's trembling hands. He noticed a tear glistening on her cheek, threatening to spill over.
"Are you alright, Linda?" he asked, concern replacing the earlier shame that had colored his interaction with her.
Linda paused, her gaze dropping to the washcloth. A sigh escaped her lips before she spoke. "This is all my fault," she mumbled, her voice thick with emotion.
Lam's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"
She looked up at him, her eyes filled with tears she was holding back. "Emily... she gets bullied because of me. They call her names, make fun of her for not having a father." Her voice broke. "It's my fault. I should have done more to protect her."
"It's not your fault, Linda," he said softly, giving her a sincere smile. "You're doing the best bringing up Emily alone. If you don't mind, can I ask what happened to Emily's father?"
Lam winced as the antiseptic solution stung his raw skin, but the pain was a mere blip compared to the emotional turmoil he witnessed on Linda's face. Tears welled up in her eyes, reflecting the dim overhead light of the convenience store's back room."Are you alright, Linda?" he asked gently, his earlier shame replaced by a wave of concern.She let out a shaky breath, her gaze dropping back to the washcloth in her hand. A long, heavy sigh escaped her lips before she spoke, her voice cracking. "It's all my fault," she mumbled, the words laced with despair."What do you mean?" Lam inquired, his brow furrowing in confusion.Linda looked up at him, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. "Emily... she gets bullied because of me. They call her names, taunt her for not having a father." Her voice choked with emotion. "It's all my fault. I should have been stronger, should have protected her better.""Linda," Lam said softly, reaching out and placing a comforting hand on hers. "Please don't blame yourself. You're raising Emily on your own; that's more than most people can handle. If you don't mind me asking, what happened to Emily's father?"Linda's tearful voice broke the heavy silence in the room."Her father… he wasn't a bad man, not at first," she started, her voice trembling slightly. "We were young and in love, and Emily was a beautiful surprise. But… things changed. He started drinking, then gambling. The debts piled up, and it felt like we were drowning."Her voice grew even softer, barely above a murmur as she relived the painful memories. "One night, he came home… different. There was a desperation in his eyes I'd never seen before. He told me he was in deep trouble, that he owed a lot of money to some very dangerous people. The plan? To… sell me for one week. To pay off his debts."Linda's hand trembled beneath Lam's. The washcloth fell onto the table with a soft thud. "I couldn't believe it. I knew then and there that I had to get Emily and myself out of there. We packed a few things, enough for a quick escape, and fled in the dead of night. We ended up here, in this small town, far away from everything we knew."Lam's heart was filled with empathy for Linda. He reached out and held her hand gently, the gesture conveying more than words ever could. "Linda," he began, his voice surprisingly steady, "you did the right thing by leaving that house and protecting Emily. Leaving everything behind to give her a safe life is not something to blame yourself for; it's something to be incredibly proud of."Linda looked at him, a flicker of surprise crossing her face at his unexpected touch. His hand, despite its calloused roughness, felt surprisingly warm against hers. The sincerity in his voice seemed to pierce through her despair, offering a glimmer of comfort.But the moment was fleeting. After a few seconds of stunned silence, she pulled her hand away gently, a faint blush creeping up her cheeks. "Thank you, Lam," she mumbled, her voice regaining its composure. "That means a lot to me. Anyway, I think I've gotten most of the surface wounds cleaned. You should probably take some pain relievers and get some rest."Lam was taken aback by his concern for Linda by the sudden shift in focus. The intensity of her story had momentarily pushed his own discomfort to the back of his mind. As he shifted in his chair, he winced in pain, which was a sharp reminder of the day's events and the throbbing in his jaw."Right," he mumbled, suddenly feeling the weight of his own injuries. "Thanks again, Linda. I really appreciate it."Linda nodded unsteadily. "I'm the one who should say thank you," she replied, a tear rolling down her cheek. "Your grandmother sheltered both me and Emily, and now you're also protecting Emily. We've always been grateful to your family." She stood up, wiping away the tear with the back of her hand. "Now, come on. I'm sure you're famished after all that excitement, not to mention your little accident on the 'stairs'."A sheepish grin spread across Lam's face. He was a terrible liar, but Linda's kindness made it almost bearable. "Yeah, I could definitely go for some food," he admitted, pushing himself out of the chair.