Ice and Fire novel Chapter 525

Tears gathered in the corner of his eyes.

Joe was sitting in the front passenger seat of Mond's car while his uncle drove. The two were silent as they travelled along the road and Joe was looking out the window.

"Uncle Mond," Joe spoke suddenly.

Glancing at his nephew, Mond continued driving. "Yes, what?" he answered. 'Does Joe want to speak with me?' he wondered.

"Is Aunt Jean a good person?" Joe asked in that sweet and innocent manner only a child could perform. He remembered how nice his Aunt Jean always was to him. He really believed she was kind to him because she really did love him, and children as well. He could still remember the smile he saw on her face every time she saw him. But now, the doctor at the hospital said she had died. How could he believe this?

Heaving a sigh, Mond considered his response. "Maybe," he finally replied. "In the past, she did some bad things because she couldn't understand some things. But she has been appropriately punished. In recent times, she has changed quite a bit and..."

He paused before continuing. "And I really thank her. Her soul is beautiful."

Joe said," Uncle Mond? You know, when I found out that Aunt Jean had bullied my Mommy, I hated her. But then, she showed that she didn't hate me at all. So I think she is a good aunt. She's a really good person." Joe really believed Jean was one of the best people in the world.

Mond nodded, not saying anything.

His thoughts returned to what had happened on the road just a few hours ago, and his lips quivered. "Uncle Mond, Aunt Jean died for me. That car was driving towards me. I would have been hit by the car first. She wanted to protect me, and now she..."

His voice breaking and trembling, Joe finally broke down and cried.

Mond didn't know what to say, he felt a little uncomfortable here. Joe crying definitely made him sad, but he was in uncharted territory here. But Jean had been with him for the recent past and no matter what purpose he had, he needed to admit the undeniable effect Jean had had on his life.

Blinking and occasionally glancing at little Joe, Mond patiently explained," Joe, don't cry. None of us expected this. Try not to be too sad, okay? Your Mommy is still in the hospital and she needs you to be brave and strong. She can be strong herself, but she needs the strength of you and your Daddy to help her. Do you understand?" Mond watched the road as he waited for his nephew's reply.

Joe nodded hard, tightened his lips and looked at his uncle. "Yes, I will do anything for Mommy. I won't cry, Uncle Mond."

Wiping his tears with his sleeve, he raised his head proudly. "I need to be strong. Strong for my Mommy," he declared.

"That's right! That's a real man!" Mond commended Joe. Even with this apparently successful interaction with his nephew, Mond still felt terrible.

Once they had parked Mond's car, uncle and nephew strode into the living room. Lily and Bill were still awake, waiting in the living room.

'Why is Mond here?' Lily wondered in surprise as she saw Mond walk in with little Joe. What was going on?

Bill was also astonished at the sight of Mond. He watched the two walk in and wondered if Mond was the kid he thought.

Glancing at Lily, Bill decided to remain silent since she had as well.

It hadn't escaped Mond's notice that Bill and Lily had reacted strangely to his presence.

"Billy, Lily, Uncle Mond just drove me home," Joe calmly explained. His usual cheerful demeanor was surprisingly absent.

With Joe's explanation, Lily came to her senses, asking," Well, Joe, how is Mrs. Cherry?"