Chapter 16
After the two phone calls, Yetta could tell something was off. She turned to Mindy and asked, “You mentioned that Lillian tricked Zack and Kevin somehow. Do you know what she did?”
Bradley stayed quiet, waiting to see what evidence Mindy could come up with.
“She skipped class all the time, and with the education she got in Mesville, how could she possibly do better than Zack? Mindy just didn’t believe Lillian had outsmarted both her and Zack.
With a serious look, Bradley said. “This is your evidence? So you admouthed her in class and blocked her in the restroom?”
Feeling the weight of Bradley’s stern gaze, Mindy didn’t push back. “Dad, I didn’t. She just can’t be smarter than Zack.”
Yetta jumped in. “Mindy said she was only asking Lillian about it She didn’t mean any harm, but Lillian attacked her for no
reason.
Bradley raised his voice. “Didn’t you hear what Michelle just said Even if Mindy didn’t mean to hurt Lillian, she was still in the wrong today.”
“Even if Mindy shouldn’t have accused Lillian of cheating, she shouldn’t have hit Mindy like that. You’re taking Lillian’s side -Mindy’s your daughter too!” Yetta shouted.
Her eyes brimmed with tears. “She grew up with you, and no one has ever laid a finger on her. But look at her now.
Glancing at Mindy’s swollen face and tear–stained cheeks, Bradley sighed, “Lillian shouldn’t have hit you. I’ll make sure she apologizes.
Yetta couldn’t believe it. “An apology? That’s all
“Just put a stop to this, Bradley said firmly.
Yett’s background didn’t compare to the Wilsons, so over the years, she had played the part of a devoted wife and mother in hopes that Bradley would support her family more.
Before now, she had always kept quiet and hadn’t dared to oppose Bradley, Whenever he wore a stern expression, she would
stay silent.
As Yetta quieted down, Bradley softened his tone. “Call the doctor to check on Mindy.”
Earlier, Yetta had raised some doubts about how Lillian got into Fillcrest High, which had worried Bradley. But now knowing Kevin helped her, he felt at ease.
He just couldn’t figure how Lillian–a girl from Mesville–had connected with Kevin and Zack, and they seemed to have a close bond. Bradley gazed thoughtfully at the second floor, lost in his thoughts.
The villa finally fell silent. Outside, Yolanda, who had returned unnoticed, listened carefully to everything happening inside
On Friday evening at the Lewis residence, Jesse was sitting at the long dining table, pushing his food around his plate with a spoon. Despite the delicious spread before him, he refused to take a single bite.
Noticing this, Willie stepped forward, taking the food and spoon “How about I feed you?”
The food was right in front of Jesse’s mouth, but he just kept silent, refusing to open up
“Mr. Samuel Lewis is busy. He’ll be back later, Willie said, trying to sound soft. He had rarely spoken to kids, and taking care
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Chapter 16
of them was definitely new challenge for him.
Even though his main job was just to keep an eye on Jesse, he couldn’t just stand by and watch him eat nothing
Just as Willie was about to call for a servant, Eugene peeked through the door. “Samuel isn’t here?”
“Mr. Samuel Lewis is still at the office,” Willie replied.
Immediately. Eugene rushed in and headed straight for Jesse. “Sweetheart, come here so I can give you a kiss!”
Eugene scooped up Jesse and showered him with kisses, Jesse’s tiny face got squished as he sqfirmed, trying to push Eugene away with his little hands. But Eugene was relentless, as if he couldn’t get enough.
After a round of kisses, Eugene finally set Jesse down, but he didn’t stop there–he grabbed a fork and tried to feed Jesse.
Jesse turned his head away, wiping drool off his face. He was already feeling down, and the uproar pushed him to the edge
of tears.
As Jesse wasn’t eating. Eugene just popped the food into his own mouth “Are you full or what?”
“He hasn’t eaten a thing.” Willie said, trying to explain..
Eugene looked at the messy plate in Willie’s hands and then at the gloomy Jesse. “When is Samuel coming back?” Matthew Lewis had five sons, making for a bustling house filled with kids and grandkids. Samuel, the youngest, was born when Matthew was older. Eugene was Samuel’s youngest nephew, while Jesse was Samuel’s brother’s grandson
“Mr. Samuel Lewis is in a meeting. He should be done after ten, Willie said.
Eugene’s eyes lit up. He gently bounced Jesse in his arms. “How about I take you out for a meal? Then we can hit the arcade and play those claw machine games you love. Remember Edgar Let’s go find him.
or some food!
He then turned to Willie and said, “I’ll leave the meal to you. Don’t let it go to waste. I’m taking little Jesse out for
come along,” Willie insisted.
“I have to
“Oh, relax! It’s just dinner and some fun. We won’t go wandering around.” Eugene chuckled, dashed out with Jesse in his arms, and quickly drove off
As the sun set, Eugene turned on the car radio. “Listen, I have a fun song for you! It’s called the ‘Little Frog Song”
A cheerful tune filled the car. Eugene drove and sang along. “A happy pond is planted, dreams become an ocean–big–eyed big–mouthed drums…” He got into it, swaying gently with the rhythm.
In the backseat, Jesse stared straight ahead, looking like he had lost all interest in life–a sharp contrast to the front which felt like a lively concert full of energy.
Just then, an incoming call interrupted Eugene’s singing.
“It’s your birthday today? Right now? I can’t help at the moment He paused. “Tell me where you are, and I’ll see if I can swing by Teal Bar? Alright, I’ll stop by.”
After hanging up, Eugene turned to Jesse and said, “One of my friends is celebrating a birthday, and there’ll be plenty of fun and good food.
“I just drop by, say happy birthday, and then we can go hang qua somewhere nearby. If you don’t say anything. I’ll take that
as a yes.”
Eugene parked in front of the bar, unbuckled his seatbelt, and lepked at Jesse. “Want to come inside with me? There’s cake.”
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Chapter 16
Jesse leaned over to peek inside the bar and immediately shook his head. To him, it looked like a haunted house.
“Alright, you can stay in the car. I’ll be back in five minutes. Just hang tight. Eugene hopped out and crossed the street to the
bar.
Left alone in the car, Jesse felt a wave of sadness wash over him. He shifted from sitting to kneeling, resting his arms on the window and staring blankly at the bustling street.
As the city lights began to twinkle, his loneliness deepened, and he desperately missed Samuel. Just when he thought he couldn’t feel more alone, he noticed a slender figure walking out of a pet store across the street.
SEND GIFT
