Seven Times They Chose Him. The Last Time, They Lost Me Chapter 06

Seven Times They Chose Him. The Last Time, They Lost Me Chapter 06

He lowered his voice. “Without us, Leo is nothing.”

“Can those two little shops of yours support him? His tuition, his future-what are you going to give him?”

Aunt Claire’s hand pressed against the doorframe.

“I have money. My shops are enough to get Leo through college.”

“As for his school transfer, you signed the papers yourselves. Don’t go back on your word.

Dad stared at her like he didn’t understand.

“Since when-“|

“From the day my sister chose someone else’s kid over her own.”

“Every time you left Leo behind, I put a little more aside.”

Dad opened his mouth but said nothing.

Aunt Claire closed the door and locked it.

He stood outside for a long time. Eventually his footsteps faded. The neighbor was still cursing.

I poked my whole head out of the blanket.

“Aunt Claire, he’s gone.”

“Yeah. Go to sleep.”

When we checked out, the front desk lady gave me a piece of candy and told me to feel better.

Early the next morning, Aunt Claire took me to the Amtrak station.

While we were picking up our tickets, Mom and Dad showed up.

Their driver followed behind, loaded with bags and a bouquet of flowers.

Mom’s eyes were swollen. Dad looked like he hadn’t slept all night. He hadn’t shaved.

Mom blocked us. “Leo, let’s talk.”

“There’s nothing to talk about.”

Dad shoved a box at me. “Leo’s favorite LEGO. I bought the whole set.”

“And his favorite cake. Strawberry-”

I didn’t even look.

His hand froze. The box hung in the air.

The bow on the box was crooked. It was obviously his handiwork.

I hid behind Aunt Claire, my left hand gripping her shirt.

Mom crouched down and tried to touch my head.

“Leo, come home with us. Mom will cook for you. Every day. Mom will be there with you every day

from now on.”

Every day. The word sounded so good. But I didn’t dare believe it anymore.

“Ma’am.”

I shrank back, my voice small. “My hand hurts.”

Her hand stopped in the air. Her fingers curled. That hand had been serving me soup yesterday.

Aunt Claire took my hand and walked me toward security.

Dad shouted from behind.

“Leo Bennett! Are you really going to be this heartless? Don’t forget, without us you’re nothing! You’ll regret this!”

I didn’t look back. The old Leo had died on that operating table.

After security, I finally asked Aunt Claire.

“Aunt Claire, why did they only come after us when we were leaving?”

“They regret it. But regret doesn’t help.”

I thought about it and nodded.

“It’s like when I knock over milk. I can say sorry, but the milk won’t go back in the cup.”

“Right.”

I raised my left hand.

“Aunt Claire, I’ll be careful from now on. I won’t spill the milk.”

“Okay.”