It took Ben some time to calm himself down. Kevan patiently accompanied him, and even helped him unpack everything, putting the things back where they had come from.
Ben got someone to make them some hot tea before serving a full cup to Kevan.
"This is the new tea that Peighdale sent over to Old Mr. Rogers this year! It's a pity that he only drank it once …" Ben was originally introducing the tea happily when his voice grew smaller at the end, and his eyes turned red again.
Kevan took a sip. The rich and bittersweet taste engulfed his tongue, but when the tea slipped down his throat, he could savor a slight hint of sweetness. He did not like drinking tea. Compared to alcohol and coffee, which were stronger, tea was too bland for him.
But his grandpa used to drink tea like his life depended on it.
"Old Mr. Rogers always said that tea could calm the mind," Ben said through sobs as he pressed his chest with his hand. "After he passed, I've been drinking this tea relentlessly, but my heart still aches."
Kevan said nothing. He threw back the cup of hot tea. It numbed his tongue, but the ache from his heart remained unchanged.
Well, Ben was right.
Kevan put the empty cup on the table, and Ben filled it up for him again.
"I knew too … that Old Mr. Rogers had reached quite an old age, and that this would happen one day … But …" Ben shook his head and sighed heavily. "He passed without warning. When he was having dinner with Mr. Cody on the day of his death, he was quite energetic. Who knew …"
Kevan's eyelid twitched. "Cody came on the day Grandpa passed?"
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Sweet Subterfuge novel by Trina Duo