Let Me Stay The Night

As soon as Christina spoke, she heard footsteps behind her.

Turning around, she found herself gazing into Nathaniel’s eyes.

What a coincidence! Nathaniel shows up every time we say something about him. Did he put a wiretap in this house?

Nathaniel lifted Lucas and slung his schoolbag onto his shoulder. “It’s time to go to school, Lucas.”

“But Camila is sick. I want to stay and take care of her.” Lucas pursed his lips and blinked, trying to appeal to his father.

“There are plenty of people at home to look after her. You need to get to school on time.” As he spoke, Nathaniel marched toward the door with Lucas in his arms.

Having not seen his mother for a long time, Lucas was reluctant to attend kindergarten. Besides, he could recite the syllabus with his eyes closed.

He was determined to remain by his mother’s side. To that end, he clutched his stomach and yelled, “Ow! My stomach hurts! I don’t think I can go to school.”

Nathaniel scowled. He was fine earlier, and now he’s having a stomachache at the prospect of going to school. Nice try.

“I don’t care what hurts. You will go to school,” he insisted, his voice becoming dangerously soft.

Lucas’ panic grew when his father was about to leave the house with him. “Help, Mommy! It hurts so bad!”

Watching him gnash his teeth in agony, Christina became convinced that he was telling the truth. Concerned, she ran after the pair and stopped them.

“Didn’t you hear him say that he’s not feeling well?” Christina strode over and snatched Lucas out of Nathaniel’s arms.

Like a koala, Lucas clung to his mother. Thank God for Mommy. She loves me more than Daddy does.

Nuzzling against Christina’s bosom, he did not dare meet his father’s gaze for fear of being discovered.

“Where does it hurt? Show me.” Christina carried Lucas in and sat him down on the couch.

not in pain, but he pointed arbitrarily nonetheless. “Here, and

illness is this? It looks

“Don’t worry, Lucas. I’ll take

grew anxious as well. She trotted over. “Don’t be scared, Lucas. I’ll bring

Camila’s innocent words. “You can’t share your medicine, Camila. Stomachaches require a different

nodded blankly. “I understand, Mommy.”

wildly. Lucas was witty and outspoken, while Camila was delicate and emotional.

the doctor. He’s coming to examine you and give you a

the prospect of getting jabbed, he gave a violent start.

is infinitely preferable

up. “It doesn’t hurt anymore, Mommy. I’d better get

another word, he got to his feet, looking good as new.

looking much better within

his motives, Christina held his hand tenderly. “I’ll call in sick for you if you don’t want to attend school,

earnestly. “I understand, Mommy.

family doctor

was well-behaved. She remained in her mother’s arms while she held onto her father’s hand.

the doctor to finish his examination. “She’s doing much better, but she needs to

Christina coaxed Camila to take her medicine and sketched while she

Camila began to feel drowsy and asked her mother to put her to sleep. Christina glanced

the trio lay in bed together. Amid the soft lull of nursery rhymes Christina crooned, the children soon fell

waited until the children were sound asleep before leaving

that Lina had called her many

asked Lina to send

After learning via a series of questions that it was nothing serious, she ended

password even after all those years.

her

we visited the