“But I’m fine. There’s no need…”
“Mom, we’re already here. We might as well use our time wisely.” Joshua and Bonnie persisted.
Hence, Dolores was forced into getting a medical check-up.
The result that came out after showed that she was healthy. Joshua thought that the doctors might’ve
made a mistake, and the results were wrong.
He quickly explained the situation to the doctor-in-charge.
Dolores couldn’t sit by idly anymore, “Joshua, what did you say?”
“Uh, you guys were washing the bedsheets that night. Dad said you…”
“You bought that?” Dolores understood it all now, “You said that Bonnie was not feeling well. That was
just an excuse to get me here for the check-up, right?”
Joshua admitted, “Yeah, but we did it because we care about your health.”
Buzz. Dolores’ phone, which was in her pocket, rang suddenly. She picked up the phone, and Charles’
voice came through, “You’re not here yet?”
Dolores looked at the time, then only did she remember that Charles had asked her out today, “I don’t
think I can make it today.”
She was still in the hospital now. Plus, it was way past the time they agreed to meet.
“Why not?” Charles chuckled, “That jealousy-filled man in your house won’t let you meet me?”
“Nah. Something urgent came up and I can’t leave now.” Dolores knew Matthew’s motives clearly. This
was what he wanted.
Why else would he have lied to the kids that she wetted the bed, and made them trick her into coming
to the hospital then? He didn’t want her to have time to meet up with Charles.
“Mom, who’s that?” Joshua had a hunch that it was Charles and asked deliberately.
“I need to go. Talk to you next time.” Dolores hung up the phone hurriedly.
“Who’s that?” Joshua asked again.
“Just an old friend.” Dolores pulled him, “Let’s go and look at Bonnie.”
Joshua didn’t give up and asked again, “The Charles guy?”
Dolores looked at him, “Don’t meddle in adults’ matters.”
Only to get a snarl from Joshua, “I’m an adult too.”
“You’ll always be a kid to me.” Dolores was mad, not at Joshua, but Matthew.
‘How could he say that to the kids?’
They found Bonnie, who was done with her check-up. It turned out that she wasn’t pregnant.
Joshua was looking forward to the results, genuinely hoping that Bonnie was pregnant, but she was
not.
Dolores could sense her son’s disappointment and comforted him, “You guys are still young and have
so much time for kids. Don’t rush it, and most importantly, don’t stress Bonnie out.”
“I know.” Joshua understood it.
“Let’s go home.” Dolores headed out first.
Joshua followed behind. He put his arm around Bonnie, whispering in her ear, “I was hoping you’d be
pregnant for real.”
Bonnie pursed her lips, “You want to be a dad this early? We’re still so young.”
“It’s not early at all. I made a deal with my brother. Whoever has a child first doesn’t need to care about
the family’s matters. There’s so much stuff to manage. I don’t want any of that.”
“Think about it. How amazing would it be if we could travel the world together, and there’s someone at
home working to make money for us?”
Bonnie nodded, “That sounds good.”
“That is why you need to work harder and get pregnant soon. My brother doesn’t even have a girlfriend
yet. He’s going to lose so bad.”
“Hey!” Bonnie pinched him, “Watch your words. We’re out in a public place now.”
“No one can hear us.” Joshua, still had his arm circled around Bonnie, said, “Let’s go.”
After catching up with Dolores, Joshua ingratiated himself with her, “Mom, it’s already 1.00 p.m. Let’s
have lunch before going home.”
“We’re eating lunch at home.” Dolores was a little harsh. Yes, she was angry, but towards Matthew.
Joshua, upon seeing that his mother was unhappy, listened to her words, “We’re relieved since you’re
healthy.”
Dolores did not say anything.
“Mom, are you angry?” Bonnie held her hand.
“I’m not.” Dolores patted her daughter-in-law’s hand in return, “I’m fine. Don’t overthink it.”
Bonnie nodded, “We’ll rest assure when you and dad are healthy.”
A while later, they arrived home.
Everyone got down from the car.
Matthew was the only one at home at this time. The others had gone out.
“I’m going to prepare lunch.” Bonnie pulled Joshua and said, “You’re coming with me.”
Joshua replied, “I need to tell dad about mom’s health. He needs to know that she’s okay.”
“Are you dumb?” Bonnie glared at her husband, “I’m guessing they were washing the bedsheets the
other day because of some other reason, and not because Mom isn’t healthy.”
“You mean… Dad is the sick one?” Joshua asked, widening his eyes, “Did he push the blame to Mom
because he was embarrassed about it? And Mom got mad because of that?”
It was apparent that Dolores was angry earlier.
“I don’t know either. You should clarify it later.” Bonnie opened the door to the refrigerator, thinking of
the dish she should make for lunch.
Joshua just stood there. He had always been quick to grasp a situation, but he was confused now.
He didn’t know what to do.
On the other hand, Dolores was just sitting at the edge of the bed, staring at Matthew without saying a
word.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Matthew poured himself a glass of water leisurely and sat down
on the sofa by the window.
“Matthew Nelson, did you have to do that?”
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