Chapter 248
She glanced over at Thorne, who was sitting nearby, watching them. “Dad, can we eat here? How about we get some takeout and bring it back to eat together?” Thorne smiled and nodded. “Sure.”
Jasmine beamed with joy and clung to Charlene even tighter,
Helena and Irma had plenty to talk about, keeping the conversation lively, while Charlene mostly listened, interjecting now and then with a comment or two.
After a while, Jasmine began to feel tired. She turned to Charlene and asked, “Mom, when do you think you’ll be done with work?”
Not wanting Helena to overhear, Charlene scooped Jasmine up and carried her over to the couch in the hospital room before answering, “I’m not really sure, sweetie. But if nothing unexpected happens, I’ll probably get busier.” “What?” Jasmine was taken aback, clearly disappointed by the news.
“Then when will you have time to take me skiing?” she asked, still holding onto the promise.
Charlene thought for a moment. “Maybe next month.”
“Really?”
“Yes,” Charlene assured her. “When I have some free time, I’ll let you know.”
“Okay!” Jasmine brightened up at this.
Remembering something from the night before, Jasmine quickly inquired, “Oh, Mom, did you go shopping last night?”
Charlene paused but eventually replied, “Yes.”
“Really? So, the person I saw last night was you?”
“Possibly,” Charlene said, noticing Thorne looking at her from the corner of his eye.
It had been a while since Jasmine went shopping with Charlene. Even though she used to think of shopping as rather dull, she now found herself missing those trips.
“Next time you have some free time, can we go shopping too? And maybe hit the arcade for some bumper cars?” Jasmine suggested enthusiastically.
Charlene nodded. “Sure.”
Jasmine kept talking excitedly, while Thorne took Charlene’s previously used glass, emptied the now-cool water, and refilled it with warm water, placing it back on the coffee table in front of her. Charlene glanced at him and murmured her thanks.
Thorne replied, “You’re welcome,” settling down on the sofa beside them.
Irma and Helena had been deep in conversation, but seeing the little family gathered together, Irma paused mid-sentence.
Helena followed her gaze but didn’t comment, simply redirecting her attention elsewhere.
Irma sighed. “You know-”
“Once they’ve made their choice, we shouldn’t push them,” Helena interrupted gently.
Irma sighed again and let the matter drop.
Before long, the food Thorne had ordered arrived-a feast spread out across the table, clearly more than just
for two.
Thorne turned to Charlene. “Why don’t you join us?”
A
Charlene saw that half the dishes on the table were her favorites, and Thorne had thoughtfully placed them within easy reach for her. Then Thorne added, “Minnie, go invite Grandma to join us.” “Okay,” Jasmine replied, finally detaching herself from Charlene and trotting over to Helena, tugging her hand to lead her to the table.
Irma added, “Come on, have a little. Otherwise, I’ll feel bad asking you to come keep me company again tomorrow.”
Helena reluctantly joined them at the table. She hesitated for a moment when she saw all of Charlene’s favorite dishes neatly placed in front of her and cast a glance at Thorne.