Chapter 71
80%E
Alex let out a snarky sound through his nose, looking up at the sky and giving Joanna a sideways glance.
Layton saw Alex acting obnoxious and quickly stepped in to smooth things over. “Yes, Mrs. Thompson, this is Alex. He grew up alongside Ellie.”
A few years ago, Ellie’s mom came to visit the Warrens for the first time just when Layton was there. Alex’s mom made him call Joanna “Mrs. Thompson,” so he followed along,
Joanna smiled and nodded. “Hey, kiddo, please say hi to your grandpa for us. Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and since Ellie’s dad can’t move around well nowadays, we won’t be able to make it to your place. I brought some things for your grandpa, could you take them back?”
As she spoke, Joanna finally dropped the heavy burlap bag she had been carrying and handed it to Alex. Disgusted, he glanced at the contents and took a step
back.
“Don’t worry, Mrs. Thompson, I’ll take it,” Layton quickly reached out to grab it when he saw Alex refusing.
After finishing her conversation, Joanna walked over to her husband, glancing at her kids. “Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. You should take a day off and come back with us.”
“Go home!” their father said curtly as he turned around, leaning on his cane. Ellie watched her parents retreating, the weight of sadness causing her to cry out.
Her mom hadn’t said a word about what just happened. Knowing full well her children had been wronged, all she could do was swallow her feelings and pretend she hadn’t heard anything They couldn’t repay the Warrens for their kindness, and
further discussion would only make things worse!
any
“Dad.” Ellie grasped her father’s hand on the cane, noticing it trembled violently. “You guys have been in the car all day without even a sip of water. Let me take you somewhere to rest first.”
“Go home!” her father repeated firmly.
Ellie looked at her father’s aging face, tears brimming in her eyes. With her back turned to everyone, she cried silently as she looked over at Aaron.
Aaron, towering at about six feet, stood in front of their parents like a child who’d done something wrong. His eyes were red at the corners, brimming with tears, and that sense of helplessness made Ellie’s heart ache for him.
Wiping her tears away, Ellie supported her father. “Dad, don’t be upset. We’re going home.”
Not too far away, Layton watched as Ellie helped her dad and Aaron, both of them crying as they walked along the road. Unable to hold back, he murmured, “Such a shame.”
Alex stared at Ellie’s fading figure, irked, he stuffed the brand–new car keys into Layton’s hand. “Since you’re free, take them
home.”
Haley was taken aback. She hadn’t expected Alex and Aaron to get into it, resulting in such a scene, and now Layton was going to take Ellie’s family back to their hometown!
“Alex, what do you mean?” Haley asked.
11 01 Tue, Jan 28
