The Unveiled Rose

The rest of the family saw that she was opening up and all gathered around to tease her.

Apart from me and Reuben, Joyce wouldn't give anyone the time of day.

I mulled over this as I ate my breakfast.

If just fixing her hair into a little braid made her so happy, she'd chat up anyone, then maybe, if I did more stuff like that, she'd start talking to others more, too.

After breakfast, Joyce took my hand and said goodbye to Reuben, who was lounging in the living room. "Daddy, I'm off to school."

Reuben had planned to head straight to work, but her words made him change his mind on the spot. "I'll drive you guys."

Joyce, tilting her head, couldn't figure out why Reuben suddenly decided to switch gears.

But Reuben just pulled up the car next to her. "Hop in."

Joyce was too young to sit in the front, so I joined her in the backseat.

As Reuben drove, he glanced at Joyce through the rearview mirror. "This Saturday and Sunday, I'll clear my schedule to hang out with you. Got any place you wanna go?"

"Yes!" Joyce started counting on her fingers. "My preschool friends all go to the amusement park in their free time! I want to bring Mommy along! So they all see, I have the best Mom in the whole world!" The more Joyce talked, the more her eyes sparkled until she burst into joyful laughter.

Reuben looked away from the mirror. "One day at the amusement park, and then where to the next?"

"Hmm..." Joyce thought hard but couldn't come up with a good answer.

She looked troubled. "Mommy, is there anywhere you'd like to go?"

I answered, "I'd like to visit the library."

Joyce made up her mind instantly. "Then we'll do what Mommy wants!"

Saying so, she snuggled into my arms and hugged me.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

I hugged her back.

Maybe it was because she'd been without a father and mother from a young age, Joyce clung to me as if afraid of losing me. Whenever we were together, she stuck to me like glue.

It was a sign of insecurity.

I lifted my hand, gently patting her back.

So, what I needed to do was be even nicer to her until she believed that no matter what happened, I'd never leave her.

...

We arrived at the preschool. I walked Joyce to the gate, reluctant to part with her.

"Mommy, can you stay for class with me?" she asked earnestly.

"I'm an adult," I replied sincerely. "I probably can't attend preschool."

Joyce looked a bit downcast. "Okay then."

I knew she didn't want to part so soon, so I had to cheer her up. "You focus on your studies, and when you get home, I will play with you, deal?" "Deal."

With my promise, Joyce finally turned and walked into the preschool.

I also got ready to leave, but a figure blocked my path.

It was Nigel, staring straight at me. "From now on, you better act like you did last night. No matter who calls you, don't come pick me up. Only then will Luna believe you truly don't want me. And then she'll treat me like her own son!"