“I’m sorry, Benny,” Archie apologized to his brother when the crowd shifted their attention away from them. “It was my fault for not holding your hand tightly enough that you got lost in the crowd.”
Benny gazed at his brother and said casually, “It wasn’t your fault, Archie; it’s too crowded here. Besides, I wasn’t lost, and it was fun playing the drums, anyway!”
Archie frowned for several seconds before nodding slowly. “I will hold your hand tightly next time,” he promised, “and never allow something like this to happen again.”
Benny nodded vigorously as he squeezed his brother’s hand.
Estella came over to join the fun. “Me too! I’ll hold both your hands!”
The little girl clutched Benny’s hand as she spoke.
Touched to see the three children walking hand in hand with similarly solemn expressions, Roxanne smiled gratefully. “Come, Benny,” she said gently. “Thank Mr. Farwell.”
Benny appeared to be surprised by her words.
“Mr. Farwell was the one who found you,” Roxanne said.
The boy glanced up at the man before him.
As Lucian was standing with his back against the moonlight, Benny could not see his expression at that moment.
Nevertheless, the boy obeyed his mother by expressing his gratitude. “Thank you, Mr. Farwell.”
Lucian nodded noncommittally. “No problem. You were clever enough to wait here.”
The boy was taken aback by his father’s compliment. He stroked his nose awkwardly.
The crowd on the beach thinned out after the fireworks show,
Despite Roxanne’s reservations, she took the children for a walk at the beach, considering that they might be suill fearful.
The weather was lovely, and the water was placid. As the children wanted to go to the beach, Roxanne let go of their hands and allowed them to run toward the shore while
she waited on the side.
accidentally got lost because there were too many people just now. If anyone sees someone looking for a child, please help me inform my mommy that I’m here. My mommy is very pretty, so it will be easy to identify her!”
Benny contemplated briefly after saying that. Then, he added, “Perhaps there will be an uncle searching for me too. Everyone can also tell him that I’m here. He’s distinguishable too because he is very tall and handsome. There are also two children around my age beside them.”
Roxanne was amused by Benny’s description of them.
Even Lucian wore a faint smile as he listened to Benny’s speech.
Perhaps the four of them were too eye-catching. Soon, people were turning their heads in Roxanne, Lucian, and the two kids’ direction.
Benny also noticed them, and when he spotted Roxanne, he held the microphone and called out in excitement, “Mommy!”
The crowd made way for Roxanne and the others to reach Benny’s side.
“Mommy!”
Benny jogged over happily with the microphone in his hand when he saw Roxanne.
She bent down while beaming and pulled Benny into her embrace. “You scared me, Benny. Luckily, you’re so smart.”
Benny gently patted his mother’s back and said, “I’m sorry, Mommy. But don’t worry about me because I’m very smart. I will not follow the bad guys.”
When Benny realized he had gotten lost just now, he had immediately run toward the band, following the music, because he thought he would be safer there. He had planned on borrowing the microphone from the band to find Roxanne.
Fortunately, the band members were kind and friendly. After they had been made aware of Benny’s situation, they had agreed to his request with alacrity.
Benny turned on his heels and sensibly expressed his gratitude to the band members. Thank you all.”
They responded with a smile, “You’re welcome. We’re glad as long as you are safely reunited with your family.”
The band members even added a friendly reminder to Roxanne, “Your son is very gifted in music, If you can afford it, we suggest you send him to a music academy to receive proper lessons.”
Roxanne grinned in agreement.
