It was the third day of the holiday. Trevon, Natalie, Olivia, and Jasper arrived early at the cemetery, waiting for the members of the Turner family. They arrived early and cleared the weeds around the cemetery. The two children were diligent, working together, and neither Olivia nor Jasper was idle. Jasper also wiped clean the tombstones of Barron, Lena, and Jenny. He wiped them repeatedly, over and over, until he reached out to touch them, and his fingertips encountered no dust. Only then did he stop.
"Jasper, Olivia. Take a break," Natalie said, placing the flowers and some fruit baskets in front of the tombstones. Next to Barron's tombstone, there was an additional black one. After Harry's death, Natalie and Trevon went to collect his ashes. Since Harry was Barron's son, they decided to bury him not far away from Barron's resting place.
Tucker took away Elena's ashes and buried them in a place unknown to others. Every year, he, along with his wife and daughter, visited the cemetery where Elena had been buried. He also deliberately chose a different time to pay respects to Barron here. Natalie understood her brother's actions. Faced with their uncle, Tucker did not know what to say, so he simply avoided the time for visiting the cemetery. The disputes among the elders had nothing to do with the young generation. Natalie stopped pondering and spoke up, "Come over and pay your respect to your great-grandfather."
The two children responded, "Sure." They clasped their hands together praying, bowed, and then turned back to their original positions.
Soon, the footsteps of several people were heard. Looking over to the source of the sound, it was the Turner family. Natalie stood up and called out to the approaching people, "Hello, you guys are here. George has grown so much taller. It hasn't been long since we last met." Natalie smiled, patting George's shoulder, who was taller than herself.
The Turner family were all dressed in formal black attire. They were here to pay their respects to the deceased family members. In the era of the internet, during this kind of occasion, many young people could be seen either listening to music with headphones or engrossed in short videos and playing games with their phones. It was common to see individuals extravagantly dressed. Instead of showing respect, it looked as if they were at the cemetery to make a show, merely going through the motions.
At this moment, Christina and Joseph were wearing matching suits, and even George was wearing the same. George's height was the same as Joseph's, with facial features resembling Christina's. The aesthetic strengths of the couple converged on their child's appearance.
George's personality was like Joseph's. He was quiet, emotionally stable, and usually liked to dress casually. The politeness of all the children was excellent. They greeted the elders, and then the three children gathered to chat, with Olivia mostly doing the talking while the other two listened.
Daniel apologized, saying, "We planned the timing carefully, but ended up stuck in traffic. This is something that can't be accurately predicted. We'll have to leave even earlier next year."
Trevon comforted him, saying, "We just arrived a little while ago."
However, Emma glanced around at the surroundings and knew Trevon was lying. She speculated the Wilsons were at least an hour early and spoke softly, "We just came to pay respects. Sorry that we did not help much."
Natalie replied, "Grandpa and Lena know you came far away just to see them. They would surely be happy about it."
Christina squatted down to help take the things from Natalie's hand and arrange the flowers they brought. She leaned over and whispered to Natalie, "Jasper is just a copy of Trevon."
"George is a replica of Joseph, handsome, and has grown as tall as Joseph," said Natalie.
Christina smiled. She could not find any faults with her son. He hadn't caused her any worries from childhood to adulthood.
"Christina, you should have had another child at that time," Natalie commented.
"Joseph said one is enough. Don't be fooled by Joseph's gentle appearance. He can be quite assertive in some aspects, like childbirth. However, I also think one is perfect. I don't want him to worry too much," said Christina.
Joseph squatted down, knocked on Natalie's head gently, and said in a gentle tone, "Are you trying to deceive Christina into having a second child? I'm not young anymore. Should I still have another kid?"
Natalie laughed as she replied, "It's not like that. I know your thoughts. It was just a joke with Christina."
Daniel and Emma laughed while watching Joseph and Natalie playfully. As cousins, as long as their relationship was good, Joseph and Natalie could play around no matter their age.
Jasper and Olivia paid their respects in front of the tombstone for about ten minutes. When George saw them finished, he also went and showed his condolence.
The Turner family left without offering any condolences to Harry, not even a glance. Some things and some people could find solace, while others could not. To Daniel, the harm and plot resulting in his sister's death caused by Harry were unforgivable. Even if he were to step into the coffin, forgiveness would be unattainable for him. In the end, only the children called Harry "Grandpa." As for Natalie and Trevon, they just offered their condolences without saying a word. Natalie could not remember how she used to address Harry as "Dad"; it felt too distant.
An hour later, the group left and headed to the Lopez family's cemetery. In the afternoon, the Turner family went to the Yamin family's cemetery without taking a break, very busy.
Around three o'clock, they arrived at Athana Airport. The Wilsons, the Roberts, and the Yamins bid farewell to the Turner family. The children said goodbye to George, and Olivia invited him, saying, "George, come over during the summer vacation."
George replied, "Sure." He had already discussed with his parents about staying in Athana for the summer vacation, and they had agreed.
Joseph smiled at the affectionate group of children. "Mainly, George has to go to school tomorrow; otherwise, he could stay. There will be plenty of opportunities, and during the summer vacation, you can all come to Sapphire City to play." After saying that, he patted his son's shoulder.
Ava hugged Emma for a while and then hugged Daniel with reluctance. "Goodbye, Mom and Dad." Daniel and Emma were also reluctant to part with their daughter. They helped her tidy her hair. "Call Mom and Dad if you need anything."
Grace also invited Daniel and Emma. "Come over during the summer vacation. William has been looking forward to playing chess with you."
Upon hearing this, Charlie interjected, "This won't work. I talked to Daniel about playing chess this afternoon. You need to take turns; there has to be an order. You're behind; you'll have to wait in line at the back." He was addressing this to William. Everyone laughed as they watched the two old men banter, both well over a hundred years old combined.
William chuckled generously, saying, "Look at you. How petty. I am a decent man, never cutting in line. Right? Nona, Cyril."
Cyril did not answer, just shrugged. It was clear he did not agree. Nona sweetly held his grandmother's wrist and replied, "Yes, indeed."
Caleb said, "Next time you come to our place accept our hospitality. I apologize for not taking better care of you this time." Rachel smiled at Emma, also extending an invitation.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Turning Of The Tide (Natalie and Trevon)
The letters are jumbled! It is getting worse and worse! The chapters are missing - wedding of Sherri, arrival of the Turners at Athana and bullying of Ava! Please check thank you...
Why are you not updating after page 730..is it the end?...
Update please or is this the end?...
update please...