NovelEnglishNeville didn't press the issue or bring up anything else that might make Stella uncomfortable.
Most of their conversation revolved around her upcoming competition and the concert she'd been invited to.
Before they knew it, noon had arrived, and the group decided to have lunch at a buffet restaurant.
Throughout the meal, Neville was constantly on his feet, bustling around to help everyone-grabbing glasses,
fetching forks, pouring water and drinks for the
table.
Keen stared at him in amazement.
While Stella and Marvin were off filling their plates, Neville grinned and leaned in. "Hey, Keen, why are you
looking atlike that?"
Keen's eyes darted away. "I... | wasn't. It's nothing."
Neville could easily see through the little boy's thoughts. With a gentle smile, he asked, "Letguess when you
eat with your parents, your mom is the one always running around, making sure everyone else is taken care of,
isn't she?"
Keen hesitated a moment, then nodded honestly. "Yes."
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Neville continued, "So what do you think? Does your mom like being so busy, or would she rather have someone
take care of her for a change?”
Keen thought about it, then answered in a small voice, "I think... she'd like someone to take care of her."
Even a five-year-old could understand something so simple.
Neville smiled again. "Keen, have you noticed how much your mom has changed since the divorce? She's
becso much more impressive and full of life."
Keen nodded.
Neville pressed gently, "So, if you had to choose between the mom from before and the mom she is now, which
one would you pick?"
A look of conflict crossed Keen's face.
He liked the way his old mom doted on him, always fussing over every little thing, and sometimes he wished
she'd go back to being that way.
But his mom now, though a little unfamiliar, was full of surprises. He liked her just as much maybe even more.
Keen struggled with the question for a long moment, then finally whispered, "Can | choose both?"
Neville chuckled. "Nope, you can only pick one. No being greedy."
Keen mulled it over seriously, then said, "I choose the mom she is now."
That answer didn't surprise Neville at all.
People are naturally drawn to strength-and children, even more so, in their simple, straightforward way.
Keen went on shyly, "I never realized Mom could do so many things. She speaks other languages, plays the
violin, and even paints. She doesn't fuss overthe way she used to,
but she seems a little happier now So, I'd rather have the mon she is now. I'm bigger now-I can take care of
myself. What matters is that Mom gets to be happy."
Neville paused, taken aback.
He'd always assumed Keen was just a spoiled little kid, but he hadn't expected this level of understanding.
Looking at Keen, he said, "Since
you
like your mom the way she is now, then you can't let your dad and mom get back together, if they do your mom
might end up unhappy again. You don't want that, do you?"
Keen nodded automatically, though something about the conversation made him feel uneasy.
Before he could figure out what it was, Stella and Marvin returned to the table. Stella had even brought back a
plate of Keen's favorite food.
Keen's eyes lit up, and instead of taking it for granted like he might have before, he said, "Thanks, Mom."
Stella smiled and ruffled his hair. "Eat up."
After lunch, the four of them went off to enjoy the rest of the afternoon together.
Meanwhile, Haynes arrived just as they were about to leave.
Using the tracker on Keen's
smartwatch, he found their location and made his way across the park to a lakeside path, where he spotted
spotted
Stella's familiar silhouette.
His heart skipped a beat, and he started toward her-only to freeze in his tracks
when he saw Stella and Neville standing in each other's arms.
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