10
The car arrives.
We get out. Kevin tries to hold my hand but I dodge him. He looks embarrassed but says nothing.
Tommy skips ahead of us.
He’s been happy the whole way, because his dad has forgiven me. Whether I want to be forgiven is irrelevant.
I think of how I used to care for him alone. Tommy would be sad and upset whenever Kevin wasn’t around. I thought he wanted a complete family.
So I swallowed my pride with Kevin for Tommy’s sake, to make him smile.
Now I see he just wanted his dad.
I’ve failed so miserably.
I admit it.
Tommy stops in front of the hotpot restaurant.
A “For Rent” sign is posted on the door.
In just three months, it’s gone from bustling to closed down.
Time really is magical.
I can’t help but laugh.
Kevin’s face darkens. Tommy’s mouth puckers, about to cry.
Kevin’s pride is hurt. He harshly scolds Tommy.
“What are you crying for? Is this the only hotpot place in all of A–City?”
Kevin doesn’t know that A–City has many hotpot restaurants. There are several just in our neighborhood. But this one was different.
This was the one Tommy wanted.
He wanted this specific one. So even if we ate at other hotpot places, there would still be regret.
Regret for not coming sooner.
Just like our marriage.
I waited for him to come. He kept delaying.
After too much disappointment, the shop closed for good.
Now he knocks on the door.
But it’s already empty inside.