Steven was barking through the phone.
When I glanced at my screen,
I suddenly realized I hadn't blocked his
number yet.
"What were you expecting?"
See you didnt pick him up,
he waited alone outside
the school. Angered by how nonchalant I sounded,
Steven snarled, "Did you know?
Because kindergarten. He got home
at 9:00 pm."
Treplied calmly, "Mr. Pelham, but I think
you're blaming the wrong person Jessica
is his mother now. And I…"
I got up and walked out to the balcony.
I looked into the distance and saw the
starry skies and city lights.
"I'm just a stranger."
Steven took a deep breath and said, "Are you still angry at us?"
"No. I'm just moving on with my life,"
I said slowly. "I think there's no need for me to be tied down by things and people of the past. What do you think?
Before Steven could answer, Thung up and
blocked his number. Suddenly, somebody
knocked on my door. I opened the door to
find Willow and a long–cared bunny doll outside my room.
Standing behind Willow, Zane said,
"She had dessert, so she must brush her
teeth tonight. I woke her up, but…
She insisted on looking for you."
Zane rubbed his brows. Willow was
embarrassed, too. She said,
"My friends say that their Mommy will brush
their teeth with them. But My Mommy never did…"
Willow's voice trailed off. It was a small wish,
so I decided to fulfill her wish. I said, "Do you want to brush your teeth in my bathroom or
yours?"
Willow perked up and said, "In Mommy's
bathroom!
She gazed at me with her twinkling eyes
Willow handed me her doll, and then she ran back to her bedroom to collect her cup and toothbrush. She ga eyes. I casually put her
bunny doll aside and said, "Let's go."
Willow skipped along behind me.
I was amazed at how easily children can
be satisfied.
Willow was petite;
she couldn't be seen in the bathroom mirror. And so, Zane found her a stool.
After thanking him, Willow stepped onto the
stool and made funny faces at her reflection
in the mirror.
She grinned and said,
"Mommy, look at my teeth. They're white!"
I peered over. In case I couldn't see her teeth, Willow opened her mouth bigger. I played along with Willow's childish actions,
and I found it fun, too.
I said exaggeratedly, "Wow, they're so white!"
Willow proudly raised her chin and said,
"I brush my teeth every day!"
I felt an urge to rub Willow's cheeks when
I saw her proud expression, but I
controlled myself. I said, "Good job, Willow."
Upon hearing that, Willow smiled shyly. She put kids' toothpaste on her toothbrush and stole several glances at
me. She couldn't hide her expression,
but I didn't call her out either.
Finally, Willow couldn't help but ask,
"Mommy, can I ask for a lavor?"
She asked very carefully, and it was as if she was afraid of getting rejected. Upon hearing
her question, I didn't agree immediately.
Willow whispered, "I want to sleep with Mommy tonight." As she said that, she stopped
brushing her teeth, too. Willow gazed intently
"Can you promise me something, then?"
I said, looking at Willow in the
Willow immediately answered, "What is it?"
eye after putting down my cup,
I said slowly, "I know you don't like talking to
people, so I won't force you to talk to other
people. But at the very least, starting from
today, you should talk to Daddy