“It’s not you I’m looking for; I want to speak to Sonia. Is she there with you?” Grace asked on the other line, prompting Charles to glance over at Sonia.

“She’s here,” he answered.

 

“Pass the phone to her.”

Having made a noise of agreement, Charles handed Sonia his phone while saying, “Here, it’s my mom.”

Sonia took the phone over and greeted pleasantly, “Mrs. Lane.”

“Sonia! I’ve missed you so much.” Grace beamed as soon as she heard Sonia’s voice on the other end of the call.

 

Sonia, on the other hand, smiled as well. “I’ve missed you, too, Mrs. Lane.”

“You could always drop by to see me, you know,” Grace pointed out, feigning dejection.

 

“Sorry, Mrs. Lane. I’ve been tied up with tons of stuff recently. I barely have time to breathe,” Sonia winced and said apologetically.

“Well, you could come over for a meal right now if you have the time. I’ll bust out a few of my best recipes for you,” Grace cajoled kindly.

Sonia was just about to say something when Charles—who had been eavesdropping—spoke up instead. “Mom, I’m bringing my darling for seafood.”

Grace, however, was insistent as she countered, “You know how restaurants never run a quality check on their seafood supplies, and it’s not as if they could do better than me when it comes to cooking.”

Lane. We’ll go over to your

Grace chortled happily, elated that the younger girl had agreed to drop by for a

gave Sonia a resigned look. “Well, it looks like we’re going to have to give the seafood

pick out gifts for your parents.” With that, she linked arms

the boutiques in the mall, they finally picked out an elegant cloak for Grace and a

with the Reeds, and their relationship was more family than anything else. In particular, Grace had been best friends with Sonia’s mother. As

long before Charles and Sonia pulled

had dropped by in six years, though she noted that the house looked the same as it had before.

when she heard the sound of the car pulling up.

Lane,” Sonia greeted with a bright

drawled sarcastically, “Don’t

“I see you every day, and believe me when I say I’m getting tired of it. My attention is on Sonia now. Come here, Sonia, let me take a good look at you!”

was somewhat amused by the remark.

Grace insisted. “Your

little more slender than usual,” Sonia placated. “Alright, that’s enough fretting, Mrs. Lane. Shall we

course. Come along, then.” Grace took her by the hand and led her into

was no one else at home but them, and she

the past six years.” Ever since

easily with a nod and began to detail the life she had had with the Fullers, though she

of frustration and snapped, “I knew those Fullers were rotten!

an apple. “That’s what I

fact that she had kept mum about her abusive marriage wounded him, and the rage he felt

through her. Tears pricked her eyes as she said, “I didn’t want to make you worry over

have been able to get them to stand up for her throughout her marriage to Toby, but they couldn’t come

gently prodded

that Grace was frustrated, but she smiled good-naturedly as she wrapped the latter’s arm like an affectionate

gesture and smoothed Sonia’s hair

he sniffed the air curiously. “Mom, what do you have

with panic. She rose to her feet

to salvage the chowder simmering in

you go, Sonia. Have some juice while you

Sonia nodded with

Charles a look. “Come and help me out in the

he had just heard as he pointed at his nose. “Are you serious, Mom? What could

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