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.

moment, she noticed Joey did not go to pick his

You don’t want a balloon?”

up at her with surprise. “I get one,

frowned. “Of course. Why wouldn’t Mommy get

up. “Thanks, Mommy!” he said, beaming at

did he walk to the old man selling the balloons. However, he stood waiting until the twins finished choosing their balloons

he was, Corinne could not help

was in the older kindergarten class then and would be

sensitive. When he was still a toddler, he would express himself and talk to Corinne nonstop despite not

was happy 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

up, Corinne knew all of the suffering he kept to himself, and it always made her heart ache to see him

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