13
At graduation, I returned to my high school.
The children’s innocent eyes made me proud
to be a teacher.
I’d become a tree, bearing abundant fruit.
I never forgot Mrs. Davis, and made her my
godmother.
I visited her often, always leaving with a full
stomach.
My relationship with my parents improved
slightly, limited to occasional WeChat chats.
On my birthday, Dad drove Mom to school.
Mom’s condition was stable.
Except for some slow reactions due to
medication, she was fine.
They brought a trunk full of gifts and a
custom cake with my name.
Dad placed the boxes in front of me, proudly
introducing them:
<
“Your mother planned this for a long time,
saying she must celebrate your birthday this
year, making up for the past twenty-
something years! Dad prepared everything,
bags, clothes, jewelry, do you like them? Oh,
and a car!”
Looking at the new car keys, I smiled wryly.
“Sorry, I don’t like these.”
“Yes, my Carolyn doesn’t like these.”
Mom spoke softly, gesturing to Dad.
Dad clapped, seemingly enlightened.
“Silly me, Carolyn, now that Dad’s retired and
Mom’s better, we’ll spend all our time loving
you, okay?”
I was confused for a moment.
Then I realized he was referring to my
eighteen–year–old wish list.
I didn’t explain, simply saying:
“No, that wasn’t me, it was Lily.”
That day, Mom and Dad apologized countless
That day, Mom and Dad apologized countless
times.
They bowed their heads, weeping, asking
what I wanted.
I didn’t say, letting them feel guilty.
Time had passed, I didn’t care anymore.
That evening, Mrs. Davis brought a pot of
beef stew, filling the room with its aroma.
The salty, savory flavor returned.
My eighteen–year–old wish had come true.
[The End]
