Beyond the Divorce

As we entered the living room, Ava and Jenny's laughter echoed through the building. The once-silent courtyard now buzzed with life.

Since coming here, my mother had been completely liberated, no longer burdened by kitchen duties.

She quickly stood up and looked at us. "You're finally done with your work."

My mom's eyes were carefully scrutinizing my face.

"Next time, please eat dinner without waiting for us. Things get busy, and we'll only keep everyone hungry," I said. "We'll call ahead the next time we're late."

My dad emerged from the bathroom, looking like he had just finished working.

The kitchen staff respectfully approached Atlas. "Sir, can we start serving dinner now?"

Atlas quickly nodded. "Yes."

Then he turned to my dad, asking, "Dad, did you just finish work too?"

My dad smiled contentedly. "Yes! This place is amazing. There's so much to do. Oh right, can you do me a favor?"

While accompanying him to the dining room, Atlas nodded and said, "Tell me."

you have some gardening books? Could you get me

That's not a problem.

now. You can bring it to me after work. I want to

"Dad, you should have just told him to find you a mentor. Then

right. We can do that. I'll have someone start tomorrow. Dad, you'll be in charge

heartily, looking much more spirited than before. He was

another image of a dad appeared in my mind,

dad now? I wondered if he was doing

turned into

what plants were missing. Everyone was excited. My favorite was magnolias, and t suggested to my dad that we plant

were often

month later, the garden received many rose and magnolia saplings. These roses were said to be rare varieties brought in by air freight from

would spoil

After all, Melanie's

to answer the phone, and she sounded breathless. "Chlo... I'm sorry, I was feeding the

how is he doing?" I asked

said, then sighed

also felt a