Chapter 83 She Resigned
As the Ferris wheel ascended, Jennifer, awestruck by her first Ferris wheel ride, gazed around in excitement. This reminded Juniper of her and Magnus's first date, which had also included a Ferris wheel ride. Jennifer believed that wishes made at the wheel's apex with a loved one held special power. Six years earlier, an eighteen-year-old Juniper held the same belief.
At the peak, Juniper kissed Magnus, dreaming about their future—marriage, children, and growing old together. It was amusing to think about now. They did have a child, but marriage was out of the question, and growing old together was a fantasy for someone with no time left.
Finally, at the highest point, Jennifer leaned in and planted a kiss on Juniper's cheek, "Mom, I want you to be with me forever!"
Forever.
Tears swelled in Juniper's eyes as she pulled Jennifer close into her embrace. Her tears flowed freely as she pressed Jennifer's face to her chest, resting her chin on the little head below.
Her voice was tender as she spoke softly, "Honey, even if I'm not around, you need to be happy and fulfilled. Your dad may seem aloof and not talkative but don't hold it against him. Make sure to get along with him. He loves you just as much as I do. It's just that he may not be as expressive. You can talk to him about anything. He's a strong and powerful man. Whatever you want to do or wish to have, he'll make it happen for you."
After she finished these instructions, she wiped away her tears, steadied her emotions, and then slowly let go of Jennifer.
Atop the Ferris wheel, Juniper took out her phone, leaned her head against Jennifer's, and snapped a selfie.
"I'll post this photo on your Facebook. Whenever you miss me, you can look at it."
Jennifer pouted unhappily, "Why do I need to look at a photo? If I miss you, can't I just come and see you?"
Juniper held back her tears, joking to cheer her up, "Well, you can't see me every day, can you? You don't want to skip school, right?"
"That's true! Once summer vacation is over, I have to go back to school. Then I can only see my mom on weekends! Why do I have to go to school?"
"Mom doesn't know either, maybe they think you kids are too idle, so they give you something to do."
Juniper held her, her thoughts drifting as her eyes turned red. She dared not look at Jennifer, fearing her daughter would see through her façade.
After a day of fun, in the evening, Juniper took Jennifer out for a Kid's Meal at KFC. Then they went home to bake an apple pie.
As she watched the oven in the kitchen, Jennifer went to her small bedroom to look for something. In the rush of her last visit to her father's house, many of her belongings were left behind, including her big yellow duck stuffed animal.
Once the pie was ready, Juniper packed it carefully in a container and put it in a bag.
"I just called Joseph. he should be downstairs soon. I'll take you down."
Juniper picked up the bag and was ready to change shoes.
But Jennifer sat on her big yellow duck stuffed animal, unwilling to move.
"What's the matter? Tired?"
The child frowned and said, "I want to sleep with Mom tonight before I go."
"Tomorrow is Monday, and Mom has to go to work."
"Didn't you work before? Why can't I stay at home and sleep? Mom, why don't you stay with me at Dad's house for one night?"
Of course, that was not possible.
Juniper set the bag down, crouched down, and looked at her daughter's eye to eye.
Patting her little head gently, she coaxed, "This is the first time you've come to meet me, and your dad might be worried if you don't want to go back. He's just starting to spend time with you and might be scared of losing you. Go back this time. What if your dad is waiting at home to have dinner with you?"
Hearing this, Jennifer felt it made sense.
"All right, I'll take the Baked Apple Pie back and eat it with him."
Joseph picked up Jennifer and left.
Juniper returned to the house alone, feeling suddenly hollow inside.
At Royal View, Jennifer dragged along her big yellow rubber ducky, clutching the Baked Apple Pie she had brought back.
Magnus was sitting at the dining table.
The table was laden with a heap of dishes.
"Daddy, I'm back!" Jennifer's cheerful voice softened Magnus' heart.
She ran over to Magnus, holding the tote bag, and excitedly shared, "Daddy, I brought back something tasty! Have you eaten yet?"
"Not yet. I was waiting for you."
She had actually eaten already!
But it didn't matter. She could pretend it was a late-night snack and have another meal!
"What's this?" Magnus asked.
"It's Mommy's homemade Baked Apple Pie! It's really good! Daddy, I specially brought it back to share with you. Try it!"
Magnus was tempted to refuse.
But Jennifer's little face was brimming with anticipation.
He couldn't possibly say no.
Jennifer propped her little hands on the table, curious, "Daddy, is it good?"
"Mmm, delicious."
"Then have another piece!"
Jennifer scooped the orange cat into her arms, "Potato, do you want some too?"
"Meow."
"But you can't. This is what Mommy made for me and Daddy to eat."
Hearing this, the man's eyes subtly changed.
Jennifer suddenly remembered a question, "Daddy, why is he called Potato?"
"This cat, Mommy found him in the park. She loves potatoes so much, she named him Potato."
Jennifer threatened Potato in jest, "So casual? But I love potatoes too! Potato, if you don't behave, I might just cook you!"
Magnus glanced at the child, his thin lips curving slightly.
He sat across from Jennifer to eat.
The once cold and lifeless villa finally breathed with a hint of warmth.
On Monday morning.
Juniper handed in her resignation directly to her department manager, Scott.
Scott looked perplexed, "You've been doing so well. Why quit all of a sudden? Are you dissatisfied with your salary?"
Juniper shook her head, "No, it's just for personal reasons that I can't continue. In my time at SY, I've learned a lot. My resignation is due to personal choices, nothing to do with the salary or the company."
Her statement was official enough to be beyond reproach.
Scott glanced at her resignation letter, "Why don't we do this? I'll hold onto your resignation application for now and not submit it to HR. Take a few more days to think it over. If you really want to leave, I'll help you with the resignation process."
"Thank you, but I really do want to quit."
"No problem. If you've got other things to handle, you can go ahead."
Juniper was stunned. This new manager, Scott, was truly lenient with her.
For the past couple of weeks, she had taken several days off, and Scott had never reprimanded her.
As Juniper left the office,
Scott hurriedly called Joseph.
"Hello, Paul. Juniper just handed in her resignation."
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