“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.”

for the offer, Mrs. Lane. We’ll go

formalities. See you soon!” Grace chortled happily,

his phone away and gave Sonia a resigned look. “Well, it looks like we’re going

and pick out gifts

their rounds through the boutiques in the mall, they finally picked out an elegant cloak for Grace and

anything else. In particular, Grace had been best friends with Sonia’s

before Charles and Sonia pulled up in

as it

car pulling up. Her eyes lit up at the

Sonia greeted with a

by the side and drawled sarcastically, “Don’t mind me, Mom. I’m just your biological

rolled her eyes as she said pointedly, “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!” She clasped Sonia’s hands in hers and slowly

somewhat amused by the remark.

have,” Grace insisted. “Your face is

now I appear a little more slender than usual,” Sonia placated. “Alright, that’s enough fretting, Mrs.

took her by the hand and led her

one else at home but them, and she couldn’t help

past six years.” Ever since Grace watched

answered easily with a nod and began to detail the life she had had with the Fullers, though she kept it brief to save Grace the

knew those Fullers were rotten! You should have told us how badly they were treating you, Sonia. If you had told us, then we would have stood up for you and

he bit into an apple. “That’s what I told her,

abusive marriage wounded him, and the rage he felt

concern, Sonia felt warmth course through her. Tears pricked her eyes as she said, “I didn’t want to make

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

you?” Grace gently prodded

that Grace was frustrated, but she smiled good-naturedly as she wrapped

gesture and smoothed Sonia’s

then, Charles frowned as he sniffed the air curiously. “Mom, what do you have on the stove? I think it’s

with panic. She

salvage the chowder simmering in the pot, and thankfully, she made it

you go, Sonia. Have some juice while

Lane.” Sonia nodded with a

and

could hardly believe what he had just heard as he

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