In My Desperate Time

After picking up the child, I go back home with Frances.

By the time we get home, it's almost ten.

Old Mr. Louis is usually asleep at this time.

So I don't expect to see him still awake and chat with Hilda on the sofa when I arrive at the door.

Thinking of my promise to old Mr. Louis, I stand at the door and don't know if I should go in or not.

Old Mr. Louis doesn't see me. But hearing the sound, he certainly knows that we are back.

He sits up straight and says in a deep voice, "You have to do what you promised me. I'm still here, so you should know what to do."

Of course, these words are for me.

I have nothing to retort, and I don't intend to.

"Grandpa." Frances' face darkened. He wants to say something, but I stop him.

I hand Earl in my arms to Frances and whisper to him, "Go in. I'll be there soon. I'm good."

shakes his head and stands still at the door,

Earl is still so young. How

and say to Frances in a low voice, "Go in with Earl. I don't want him to

looks at Earl in his

Old Mr. Louis,

it's already late. You should go to

what I

finishes speaking, he goes upstairs. Old Mr.

for a while. But it's already midnight. After standing at the door for half an hour, I get

time for you to sleep," Hilda looks at me and

she looks at me, her eyes are filled with

that she wants

says, "I'm in the mood

chat. I can't stand the cold wind anymore but can only watch the

my body is getting stiffer and stiffer, and I feel

to fall asleep, old Mr. Louis finally stands up

slowly goes back

my life. I run