Remarriage Failed Again Today

"By the time she comes back, I’ll be all grown up, and she’ll look different too. She was worried I wouldn’t recognize her, so she gave me this teddy bear. That way, when we meet again, she’ll be holding a teddy bear, and I’ll be holding a teddy bear. It’s our secret code."

The little boy gradually started to cry, his eyes blurring with tears as he looked at her. "Even though Mommy said she’d come back, I still miss her so much. She used to call me every two days, then it was once a week, then once every two weeks, then a month, then two months... and now, it’s been half a year since she called. Miss, do you think Mommy has forgotten about Charles? Waaaah..."

He broke down crying as he spoke.

Annabelle Linton understood what was happening.

’The boy’s mother must have had cancer or something. She couldn’t have had long to live, or maybe... she’s already passed away...’

She was surprised to see a reflection of Ryan in this little boy...

Annabelle patted his head and said softly, "She won’t forget. When I was little..."

’Wait, how should I refer to myself? I’m married now, so ’sister’ isn’t really appropriate, is it?’

’But ’Auntie’ doesn’t feel right either... I’m only twenty-three.’

’Oh, whatever.’

Annabelle smiled faintly and said gently, "You know, I was actually a lot like you. When I was little, my mom got sick too. She told me she’d come back when I grew up. And when I was all grown up, she really did reappear... but she had a completely different face."

Yvonne Miller’s face.

’How fitting.’

Annabelle reached out to wipe away his tears. "After that," she said gently, "during the time my mom was away, I worked hard every single day and studied a lot. When she came back, she praised me for being so independent and sensible. Pretty cool of me, right?"

"Yeah." The little boy manfully wiped his tears with the back of his hand. "Charles won’t cry anymore," he declared bravely. "Charles will work hard and study hard, just like you!"

"That’s the spirit."

Annabelle handed him another stuffed toy—a cute, cream-colored kitten. She smiled. "This is a reward for you. From now on, you have to be a good boy and listen to your dad, okay? Work hard and take good care of yourself. When your mom comes back, you’ll need to protect her, so you have to be a little hero, alright?"

"Okay." The little boy nodded emphatically. "I understand, Miss. Thank you."

After he spoke, the little boy seemed to remember something. He pulled a handful of candy from his pocket and slipped it into Annabelle’s pocket.

Then, he said conspiratorially, "Miss, this is my treasure, you know. Dad doesn’t let me eat candy, so I bought this in secret and have been hiding it in my pocket. I couldn’t bring myself to eat any, but today, I’m giving it all to you."

"Wow, all for me? You’re too sweet."

Annabelle didn’t know whether to laugh or cry as she looked at the candy now stuffed in her pocket. "Thank you, you little sweetheart," she said with a smile. "Thank you for your candy."

"Y-You’re welcome." He looked at Annabelle, his face beet red, and stammered, "Miss... um, can I... can I give you a kiss?"

Looking at his little face, all flushed and red, Annabelle felt her heart melt.

’What a little heartthrob, and so polite too.’

Looking at the cute little boy before her, much of the gloom that had been weighing on her heart began to lift.

"Of course you can," she said with a smile.

The little boy’s eyes lit up. He shuffled over shyly, threw his arms around Annabelle’s neck, and planted a big kiss on her. Then he spun around and ran off.