If I said that I did not want to eat, he would just continue to nag. Thus, I could only reply, “I’ve already eaten. Have you?”
“Yep, I’m eating now!” The sound of glasses clinking together could be heard from his end.
“Are you eating outside?”
“Yep!” he replied.
My hair was still wet, and when I leaned back against it, my back was drenched. I turned and asked, “Who are you with?”
He chuckled lightly and said, “A… girl!”
I pursed my lips. “Is she younger or older?”
“Younger!”
My eyes narrowed as I asked, “Is she pretty?”
“Yep!” he quipped.
My lips twitched. “Is she prettier than me?”
He grinned and said, “Both of you are pretty!”
I inhaled deeply and snapped, “Ashton, be serious. Otherwise, I’m going to hang up on you.”
He laughed loudly and clearly had no qualms about hiding his exuberant mood.
The laughter was pleasing to the ears. I had initially assumed that he was eating with some woman. But from the way he laughed, I could tell that I knew the person he was with!
A childish voice sounded out from the phone, “Mr. Fuller, are you talking to Mommy?”
My heart skipped a beat. It had been so long since I last heard Summer’s voice and held her in my arms.
Tears welled up in my eyes that instant.
Ashton handed the phone to Summer. “Mommy? Is that you? I’m Summer.”
My heart ached, and the lump in my throat prevented me from speaking for some time. A weight pressed down on my chest as I struggled to draw breath.
Due to my silence, Summer became anxious and said, “Can you hear me, Mommy?”
Tears started to flow down my face. Each beaded droplet of water seemed to sting me on its way down. I took in a shaky breath and replied, “I’m here, Summer. I… can hear you!”
Speaking to her brought on another tide of tears.
Summer was elated to hear my voice. She could not contain her excitement as she proceeded to fire off words, “Have you eaten, Mommy? When are you coming home? Mr. Fuller and I have been waiting for forever. Let me tell you a secret – I’ve planted many sweet potatoes in the yard. Grandma says that when they sprout, you’ll be back. They’ve already started growing. Are you going to be home soon, Mommy?”
I choked, and for a moment, I could not breathe. Tears cascaded down my cheeks endlessly as I nodded and said, “I’m going to be home soon. Once I’m done working, I’ll go home to you. Eat well, do your best in school, and listen to what Mr. Fuller says, okay?”
“Okay!” I could almost see Summer nodding earnestly. “I’m a very good girl, Mommy. I can recite many poems now, and I even know how to write and count. Mr. Fuller let me take piano lessons, and I’ve learned how to play ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.’ I’ll play it for you when you’re back. I know how to draw too. I drew a beautiful picture for you, so please come home soon, Mommy. My birthday is almost here. Mr. Jackson says he’ll invite Michael and Mr. Johnson to my birthday. It’s going to be fun. So, you have to come home quickly!”
I nodded and tried to fight back the tears. “Okay. I’ll definitely be back before your birthday. I promise to spend your birthday with you.”
Ashton seemed to be talking to Summer at that moment. “Alright, that’s enough for now, Summer. Let me talk to Mommy, okay?”
Summer was reluctant, so she said, “Can I ask you for a favor, Mommy?”
I nodded as my whole body trembled with the force of my suppressed sobs. “What birthday present do you want?”
“No. I want to ask if I can talk to you every day until you come home. I want to hear your voice. Grandma and Grandpa do too. Grandma cried a while ago because she misses you as much as I do!”
Her voice was full of innocence – pure and naive. I made a sound of agreement to hide the guilt that was gnawing away at me.
I left because I knew that I would not be able to provide Summer with the best quality of life. She would have a much better life with Ashton. However, I forgot that she was just a child. To her, I was the only family she had, and she was frightened that I would leave her.
After a while, Ashton took over the call. He must have known that I was crying. Thus, he lowered his voice and said, “She’s doing well here and is very obedient. Jackson and the rest will come to see her.”
I nodded and choked out, “Thank you, Ashton.”
“You’re my wife, and Summer is my daughter. There’s no need to thank me!”
I could not help but laugh and let out a breath of relief. “When the Lavelian Village project is done, I’ll return and spend Summer’s birthday with the two of you!”
