“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.”
the offer, Mrs. Lane. We’ll
See you soon!” Grace chortled happily, elated that the younger girl had agreed
phone away and gave Sonia a resigned look. “Well, it
and pick out gifts for your parents.” With that, she linked
the mall, they finally picked out an elegant cloak for Grace and a tasteful necktie for Curtis. Then, they
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
Sonia pulled up in front of the
same as it had before. As
when she heard the sound of the car pulling up.
Lane,” Sonia greeted with
embraced, Charles stood by the side and drawled sarcastically, “Don’t mind me, Mom. I’m
when I say I’m getting tired of it. My attention is on Sonia now. Come here,
was somewhat amused by the remark. “No, I
Grace insisted. “Your
little more slender than usual,” Sonia placated. “Alright, that’s enough fretting, Mrs. Lane.
Grace took her by the hand and led her into the
Sonia noted that there was no one else at home but them,
matter. Sonia, why don’t you tell me how you’ve been for the past six years.” Ever since
detail the life she had had with the Fullers, though she kept it brief to
edge of the coffee table in a physical show of frustration and snapped, “I knew those Fullers were rotten! You should have told us
bit into an apple. “That’s what
and the rage he felt never went
through her. Tears pricked her eyes as she said, “I didn’t want
stand up for her 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 of mind than have them resent her in the long
I going to do with you?” Grace gently prodded the younger girl’s forehead and
Grace was frustrated, but she smiled good-naturedly as she wrapped the
and smoothed Sonia’s hair with
the air curiously. “Mom, what do you have on the stove?
her thoughts, and her eyes lit up with panic. She rose to her feet in a flurry and
longer, she rushed toward the kitchen to salvage the chowder simmering in the pot, and thankfully, she made it in time to keep
go, Sonia. Have some juice while you watch a bit of television; I’ll be in
nodded with
“Come and help me out
believe what he had just heard as he pointed at
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