Chapter 201
Picking up the Transformer toy that had fallen and broken on the floor, Keith placed it carefully on the bedside table, "No matter what," he said quietly, "she's still our mother. We don't have to love her, but we must respect her."
Owen, rubbing his red eyes, didn't reply.
Keith knew the conversation had hit a dead end. He paused before switching topics, "Those two kids who visited you two nights ago, are they from your preschool?"
Owen's mood lifted instantly. A smile crept into his eyes, "Yeah, that's Todd and Angela. They came with Haley to see me..."
"Angela?" Keith's gaze lifted, "The little girl's name is Angela?"
"Yep. Keith, let me tell you, Angela is super cute. She's not much of a talker, but her eyes...they say everything. Big, and shining. When Angela looks at me, I feel like I've got the whole world..."
Owen's eyes lit up with excitement.
Touched by his brother's emotion, Keith nodded, "Next time, we should invite Angela over for dinner."
"Really? That'd be great! But all my toys are cars and airplanes; Angela might not like them. Keith, could you help me pick up some toys that girls like, maybe at the toy store or department store later? When I get out of here, I want to invite Angela to come over!"
Keith had an important meeting soon, yet he agreed, "Sure."
After hanging around for another half hour, Keith left the hospital room.
Emily was waiting at the end of the hallway, her face etched with impatience, but upon seeing Keith, her expression shifted to one of hurt.
She walked up to him, and with every step, her heels clicking on the floor, "Keith, is Owen feeling any better? Can I go in to see him now?"
"Mom, better wait until tomorrow," Keith said, his lips tight, "He's asleep now."
Disappointment crossed Emily's face. "Alright, then, I'll come back tomorrow."
She reached out, taking Keith's hand, leading him towards the hospital's exit.
Keith felt uncomfortable within her grasp but forced himself to not pull away.
As they neared the hospital entrance, they inevitably stumbled upon three familiar figures.
Haley, leading Todd with her left hand and Angela with her right, approached the hospital entrance. The path forward offered no room to avoid the looming encounter. Haley's stride halted.
She cast a glance towards Emily before her gaze slowly dropped to Keith. There was no mistaking it; the boy was Emily's son. The intimate grip of their hands spoke volumes. It made sense then, that this child stood in for Emily in confronting her. For some reason, witnessing this scene left Haley with an uncomfortable pang in her heart, a subtle sting.
Her eyes swept silently over them, edged with a scrutinizing stare. Emily, visibly flustered, couldn't even bear to meet Haley's gaze. Without a word, she hurried away with Keith in tow.
"Mom, you're hurting me," Keith protested once they were at a distance, releasing his wrist from her grasp, now marked with a red pinch.
"I'm sorry, Keith!" Emily bit her lip, guilt masking her features. "Seeing Haley a moment ago... I was so scared that she might lash out at me... I didn't want you to see me at my weakest, Keith. I didn't mean to," she murmured regretfully.
Keith glanced back briefly, catching a glimpse of Angela's pink dress disappearing into the hospital.
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