When Jacinta saw Winnie, she hurriedly asked the latter, “Are you done already? Can we go now?”
“Yes.” Winnie nodded as she picked up her pace to approach her grandmother. “Are you hungry, Granny? We haven’t eaten lunch yet.”
Jacinta said, “I was so hungry that my stomach hurt at the police station just now, but I don’t feel that hungry now. Why don’t we head home? I feel safer eating at home.”
“All right. Let’s eat at home.”
Winnie thought that she was too careless that day. Even without the appearance of Shania and Nate’s crazy fans, she might bump into Harold any time. I shouldn’t have put Granny’s life in danger by bringing her with me, but I think I’d better show myself in public more often.
As Winnie pondered about the day’s events, Josiah suddenly called.
She answered her phone immediately. “Dr. Houghton, what’s the matter?”
Josiah sounded lethargic on the phone. “Are you not at home this weekend?”
“Yeah, why? Do you need to see me?” As Winnie spoke, it suddenly dawned upon her that Josiah might be at her home. “You’re not at my house right now, are you?”
Josiah sighed. “Yes, I am. I’ve been ringing the doorbell for a few minutes because I thought you were home, but no one came to get the door for me.”
Winnie explained, “I’m out with my grandmother. What’s the matter? Can we settle it over the phone?”
“Oh, we can’t. I just left the hospital, and this morning, a patient gifted me a box of pomegranates before getting discharged. I didn’t want it, but he insisted that I accept it. Since Xavier told me to look after you before he left, here I am sending you a box of fresh fruits! This is probably one of the few times I’ll drop by your house, but it’s too bad you’re not home.” Josiah’s tone sounded somewhat amused and exasperated as he related what happened.
Winnie chuckled. “That’s it? It’s just a box of pomegranates. Just leave them at the hospital and split them with the others.”
Josiah sighed in annoyance. “Oh, shut up. I’ve already brought it here. How long more till you get back?”
“Why? Don’t tell me you’re planning to wait until I reach home?”
“You wish. I was on the night shift yesterday, and I’m so tired that I need to get some sleep. I’ll leave the pomegranates at the property management office. You can collect it later when you’re back.”
“Okay. Thank you, Dr. Houghton.”
“You’re welcome, Ms. Garland. Just think of me when you have something nice to share next time.”
Since Winnie and Jacinta weren’t planning on hanging around outside any longer, they quickly returned to Aqua Moana.
When Winnie passed by the reception counter of the property management office, she collected the pomegranates and opened the box after she reached home.
The pomegranates were twice the size of a knuckle, and their reddish skin was appetizing.
Winnie took a picture of the pomegranates and sent it to Josiah with a text message that read: The pomegranates look good. Seems like your effort in carrying them isn’t wasted.
She didn’t expect Josiah to reply to her message because she surmised that he must be sleeping at that moment. To her surprise, he replied: If only I get to have a taste of it…
Winnie immediately sent Josiah a voice message. “How are you not asleep?”
“I’m less drowsy after taking a shower, but I still need to sleep. I’m going to sleep until seven o’clock in the evening, then I’ll have dinner,” Josiah replied right away, his voice sounding a lot more energetic than when he called Winnie earlier.
“All right then. I won’t disturb you any further.”
After Winnie sent her last voice message, she started peeling the pomegranates.
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