Beyond the Divorce

I was about to argue with him again when Grandma Rose stopped us. "Let's eat."

My mom quickly agreed. "Yeah. Let's talk after breakfast."

Jim promptly started serving the food, easing the tension in the air.

My dad tried to change the topic and said, "I've planted those seeds in a sunny spot, just like the instructions said."

"Were the instructions clear?" I understood that my dad was trying to lighten the mood by bringing this up.

"They're very detailed. It looks like it's a precious plant. I'm looking forward to seeing it grow." He seemed to be in a much better mood now.

Ava immediately joined the conversation. "What did you plant, Grandpa?"

"I don't know yet, but it needs a lot of care to grow well, just like you," My dad teased. "Do you want to wait for it to grow with me?"

"Yeah. I'll watch it grow with you, Grandpa." Ava said eloquently. She could sense that Arnold was different today, and she kept looking at him when she said that.

made great progress in learning the local language, but she still needed help handling questions that were too complicated. The

about Rory. Everyone was fully focused on Anya's

instantly understood Grandma Rose's intention. We all listened to

was an unfamiliar number. I hesitated for a moment, then quickly

"Chlo."

I was furious. I immediately asked, "Have you arrived? Why didn't you tell me

here. The

from me Atlas's tone was low, with a hint of apology. "I'll be back soon. Don't be mad okay? I called you because I knew you'd

to bring him back myself. I want him to see me because my mom's dead!" I was getting emotional. "Why did

I had gotten angry

seized the opportunity to say, "I'm going, no matter how dangerous it is. I don't want to have

silence. After a while, Atlas said, "Fine. Before you set off, get a new phone and message this number.

"Great. I'll set

let me talk

took it and said,