“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
formalities. See you soon!” Grace chortled happily, elated that the younger girl had agreed to drop
Sonia a resigned look. “Well, it looks like we’re going
time, anyway. Now, we should probably go and pick out gifts for
in the mall, they finally picked out an elegant cloak for Grace and a tasteful necktie for Curtis.
had been best friends with Sonia’s mother. As far as Sonia was concerned, Grace was like a second mother to her, having
long before Charles and Sonia pulled
though she noted that the house looked the same as it had before. As such, she did not feel out
sound of the car pulling up. Her eyes lit up at
Lane,” Sonia greeted with
sarcastically, “Don’t mind
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 spun her around, then concluded plaintively,
was somewhat amused by the remark. “No, I
have,” Grace insisted. “Your face
appear a little more slender than usual,” Sonia placated. “Alright, that’s
then.” Grace took her by the hand and led
the villa, Sonia noted that there was no one else at home but them, and she
his buddies. No matter. Sonia, why don’t you tell me how you’ve been for the past six years.” Ever since Grace watched the
the life she had had with
edge of the coffee table in a physical show of frustration and snapped, “I knew those Fullers were rotten! You should have told us how badly they were
bit into an apple. “That’s what
wounded him, and the rage he felt never went away. That being said, he was less angry
and Grace’s outward concern, Sonia felt warmth course through her. Tears pricked
throughout her marriage to Toby, but they couldn’t come to her defense all the time. Besides, they weren’t actually related to her, which meant her troubles would only grow to become an unnecessary burden for them. She would rather give them a peace
to do with you?” Grace gently prodded the younger girl’s forehead
Grace was frustrated, but she smiled good-naturedly as she wrapped
and smoothed Sonia’s hair
the air curiously. “Mom, what do you have on the stove? I
her eyes lit up with panic. She rose to her
toward the kitchen to salvage the chowder simmering in the pot, and thankfully, she made it in time to keep the
over to Sonia and said, “Here you go, Sonia. Have some juice while you watch a bit of television; I’ll be in the kitchen whipping up a couple more dishes, and we can dig
Mrs. Lane.” Sonia nodded with a
shot Charles a look. “Come and help me out
could hardly believe what he had just heard as he pointed at his nose. “Are you serious, Mom? What
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