The Day I Kissed An Older Man

As the twins’ mother, Corinne was worried they would cry at being left at the kindergarten, which happened a few days ago.

The twins were crying when she went to pick them up, but on this day, they came out smiling instead.

“That’s wonderful. Since you two have been so good, you can each choose a balloon you like.”

“Yay!”

“I want the bunny!”

The twins skipped and hopped over to the old man selling the balloons. The old man kindly bent down so that it would be easier for them to choose which balloon they wanted.

Corinne felt relieved to see the twins getting used to their days at the kindergarten.

noticed Joey did not go to pick his balloon. Instead, he stood alone with

the matter, Joey? You don’t want a balloon?” Corinne asked

up at her with surprise. “I get

Why wouldn’t Mommy

up. “Thanks, Mommy!” he said, beaming

the balloons. However, he stood waiting until the twins finished choosing

could not help

the older kindergarten class then and would be going to elementary

sensitive. When he was still a toddler, he would express

when the twins were born, too. However, the twins’ arrival also brought to light the difference in treatment between an adopted son and biological children. He then became more cautious in his behavior until he became almost too

heart ache to see him

timidly. She would prefer him to behave like kids his age, like acting stubbornly or throwing a tantrum or two. However, that was