After hanging up, Roxanne headed upstairs to summon the children to breakfast. Estella was still in her bedroom, sprawled on her bed in a deep sleep.
Roxanne woke her and led her to wash up before knocking on Archie and Benny’s bedroom door. Already up, the two boys were huddled together to read the comments online.
Their respect for their father increased for how he had handled the incident when they saw that the posts had almost completely been deleted.
We’ll see who else dares to slander Mommy after this! Upon hearing the knock on their door, the boys. jumped and slammed the laptop shut before running to answer it. “You boys are awake! Come down and eat.”
Roxanne beamed with pride when she noticed her sons had already brushed their teeth. The boys nodded, shut the bedroom door behind them, and followed their mother down the stairs.
“I’m going on a business trip for several days starting tomorrow. Linda will be over to babysit. Be good and do as she says, understood?”
Roxanne brought up her trip to the children. during their meal, causing them to suddenly lose appetite at those words. “You’re going away, Mommy? Can we come along?”
As their mother had been staying home with them instead of being at work this whole time, her sudden declaration of going away for several days saddened the children. Estella was most reluctant of all. “Let me come along, Mommy! I can’t be without you.”
The child felt uncomfortable with the prospect of parting with her mother so soon. Roxanne gazed at Estella’s uneasy expression and felt her heart ache.
I know how hard I’ll be working once I arrive there, and I will not be able to give the children. the attention they need. It’s better for them to remain at home.
Spurred by that thought, Roxanne turned her down firmly. “I’ll be very busy with work, but you can call me if you miss me. I will always pick up.”
Still looking a little upset, Estella turned to face the two boys, hoping they would speak up for her. Archie and Benny gazed tenderly at their little sister, but they knew how busy their mother could be at work.
When they lived abroad, she would be gone for two to three days at a time, but not before handing them over to Linda’s care. “Be good, Essie. Ms. Linda is fun and will take good care of us. Mommy will be back before you know it!”
Archie stroked Estella’s arm. Estella puffed up her cheeks morosely before returning to her meal with her head bowed. Archie then turned to his mother. “What is your current business trip about, Mommy?”
Not intending to keep things for them, Roxanne recounted Jack’s conversation with her while emphasizing the deplorable state the nursing home was in and that she would be too busy to pay them much mind.
The children nodded obediently after being informed she would be working at the medical consultation. “Those poor elderly people. You must help them, Mommy. We will be here waiting patiently for your return.”
“I will await your return patiently too, Mommy!”
Estella chimed in. Roxanne was deeply moved by her children’s thoughtfulness. “Thank you. I will resolve matters as quickly as I can and hurry back to you.”
The children finished their meal obediently. occasionally giving her bits of morsel. The meal was a harmonious one.
