Mr. Taylor sighed, "Jade, what did you do this time?" He glanced at Jade, then Mrs. Esther, who was giving their son a stern look.
"Oh, he went out with friends," Mrs. Esther replied, her voice laced with frustration.
Mr. Taylor's eyes locked onto Jade. "Jade."
"Jade"
"Jade"
"Yes, sir?" Jade responded, sniffling.
"How many times did I call you?" Mr. Taylor asked.
"Three times, sir," Jade answered, tears welling up.
"How many times has your mom told you about friends?" Mr. Taylor pressed.
Jade started counting on his fingers, his mind racing.
Mr. Taylor clarified, "It's not that your mom doesn't want you to have friends, but she wants to meet them. You know how people judge others in this neighborhood? If they see you with bad friends, you'll become the talk of the town."
Jade tuned out, his stomach growling. "I understand, sir, but I'm hungry. Can you please tell mom to give me food?"
Mr. Taylor chuckled. "You want your mom to forgive you? That's between you two."
Jade begged, holding onto his dad's trousers. "Dad, I'll starve..."
Mrs. Esther intervened, "Better go to bed hungry."
Jade thought, "My parents are so unfair. Mom hates me."
After dinner, Mr. and Mrs. Taylor discussed Jade's behavior while Mrs. Esther cried.
"Honey, I'm tired of talking. That boy won't take advice. Remember how I suffered for him? The labor, the hospital runs...I don't want anything to happen to Jade," Mrs. Esther sobbed.
Mr. Taylor comforted her, "Nothing will happen. He's just going through a rebellious phase. We need to pray."