Seems like I haven’t lost much.
“People say that wishes made at the Lotus Temple will come true. Do you want to try?”
Arching his brows, Colin handed me some candles.
I did not take it. “I don’t have any special wish to make besides hoping that the living is well whereas the dead rests in peace. Everything is fated and pre-destined.”
Summer came running towards me. “Mommy, do you have anyone you long to meet? You can ask for your wish to be granted in your dreams.”
I chuckled and took the lit candle from her hand to place it on the incense burner. “I don’t need to ask for that, Summer. I can see whoever I want to see in my dreams, always.”
Tilting her head, Summer did not quite understand what I said. She gazed at Colin. “Mr. Johnson, what about you? Have you made a wish?”
“My wish is for you and Michael to grow up happily.” Colin grinned with a candle in his hands.
Right when we were leaving, sullen dark clouds gathered along the horizon while cold wind blew in our direction.
Colin offered me his jacket. “Your body is weak, don’t catch a cold.”
I declined with a polite smile.
He frowned and then covered me with his jacket nonetheless.
Grabbing Michael by the arm, Summer asked softly, “Michael, does your father not like me?”
A boy of few words, he lifted his head to look at Colin and then shrugged. “I don’t know.”
A child would never beat around the bush.
It brought a smile to Colin’s face. He did not clarify.
I took a quick glance at the jacket on my shoulders. My heart did not skip a beat. It’s just a regular care and concern gesture from a close friend. Nothing more than that.
We had something to eat before the children dozed off. Colin drove us back under the grey, inclement sky.
When he pulled over at the yard, he wanted to get down and carry Summer into the house.
I interrupted his action. “I’ll do it. It’s late, you should get going with Michael.”
He was slightly taken aback before regaining his senses and obliged. Although he was already in his forties, Colin still carried himself like a young man in his twenties.
Declining him politely and respectfully served as the best form of reply to his genuine heart.
Romance in the twenties was passionate and romantic. However, for the middle-aged, it was nothing more than predictable daily meals and a gentle nod or a polite smile.
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