“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.”

“Thank you for the offer, Mrs. Lane. We’ll

no need for the formalities. See you soon!” Grace chortled happily, elated that the younger girl had agreed

call ended, Charles put his phone away and gave Sonia a resigned look. “Well, it looks like we’re

probably go and pick out gifts

cloak for Grace and a tasteful necktie for Curtis. Then, they made their way

had always had close ties with the Reeds, and their relationship was more family than anything else. In particular, Grace had been best friends with Sonia’s mother. As far as Sonia was concerned, Grace was like a second mother to

and Sonia pulled up in front

years, though she noted that the house looked the same as it had before. As such, she did not feel

house to greet her guest when she heard the sound of the car pulling up. Her eyes lit up

Lane,” Sonia greeted

side and drawled sarcastically, “Don’t mind me, Mom.

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 spun

the remark. “No, I haven’t, Mrs.

Grace insisted. “Your

slender than usual,” Sonia placated. “Alright,

by the hand and led her into the family

was no one else at home but them, and she couldn’t help but ask, “Is Mr. Lane

buddies. No matter. Sonia, why don’t you tell me how you’ve been for the past six years.” Ever since

had had with the Fullers, though she kept it

heard the last of the story. She slapped the 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 treating you, Sonia. If you had told us, then we would have stood up for

as he bit into an apple. “That’s what I

the rage he felt never went away. That being said, he was less angry with her than

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

Grace and the rest of the Lanes. She might have been able to get them to stand up for her throughout her marriage to Toby, but they couldn’t come to her defense all the time. Besides, they weren’t

to do with you?” Grace gently prodded the younger girl’s

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

at this gesture and smoothed

air curiously. “Mom, what do you have on

her eyes lit up with panic. She rose to

simmering in the pot, and thankfully, she made it in time to keep the

tall glasses of juice 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

Sonia nodded with a warm

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

heard as he pointed at

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