Never Late, Never Away Chapter 2831
“Mom!” Lucius yelled at the top of his lungs, his eyes sweeping his surroundings for the sight of his mother. Unfortunately, all his desperate calls were left unanswered.
Meanwhile, Joan and Jake had already returned home. “Jake, do you think the kid really knows me?” She looked at Jake, who was sitting next to her on a sofa, with curious eyes.
Of course he does, he’s your son! Jake assumed a casual expression and studied her face carefully in fear that she might regain her memories at any moment.
“He’s actually my friend’s son. His mom just passed away, and you happen to bear a resemblance to her. That’s why he has mistaken you as his mom. Poor kid, he must miss her a lot,” Jake continued his elaborate deception.
Upon hearing his convincing explanation, Joan heaved a sigh of relief.
Back home, Lucius flew into full-blown panic mode and kept recounting his encounter at the beach to Delilah.
“Lucius, please stop it. Your mom is dead. You’ve got to stop fooling yourself,” Delilah comforted the distressed child while trying to prepare a meal in the kitchen.
But what I said was all true! Lucius grew more agitated at Delilah’s response. “Grandma, I’m not lying! I’m serious, Mom is not dead. I saw her today at the beach!”
Nevertheless, it was difficult for Delilah to take a child’s word for it without witnessing it herself.
“Grandma, why don’t I take you to the beach tomorrow?” Lucius suggested, hoping that Delilah would believe what he said if she saw Joan in the flesh.
“I don’t think so, Lucius.” Delilah turned him down straight out. She was occupied by work and had no spare time to entertain what she believed to be a child’s imagination.
Nonetheless, she finally gave in to Lucius’ incessant begging and agreed to take him to the beach. When they were there, they waited a long time but saw no sign of Joan. It pained Delilah to see Lucius pin all his hopes on a stranger who might or might not show up.
This poor kid must have missed Joan so much he mistook a stranger for his mother.
“Okay, Lucius, it’s getting late. We should head back now,” Delilah stated while gesturing to the boy to leave.
“Grandma, can we please stay for a while longer? Mom must be somewhere nearby.” Lucius became distraught again.
Well, he deserves one last attempt. Delilah could not bring herself to reject the child’s desperate plea. She soon relented, and they continued to walk up and down the beach searching for a familiar figure. As night fell and their mission inevitably failed, the two took a cab home.
Back home, Lucius was filled with despondency as he lay on the sofa, deep in thought. I have no doubt the woman I saw was Mom.
“Alright now, you still have school tomorrow. Time for bed.” Delilah rubbed gently on his head.
The child let out a resigned sigh and went into his bedroom. However, Lucius had no desire to sleep as he lay wide awake on his bed and gazed out at the moon outside the window.
Mom, why won’t you come home?
Meanwhile, Joan let out a sneeze while staring at the clear moon from the yard.
Jake hurried over with a jacket and draped it over her shoulder. “Let’s go inside before you catch a cold.”
“I’m fine. Perhaps someone is missing me.” Joan sniffled and let out a laugh. Could it be that kid? A flicker of sorrow flashed across her eyes at the thought of the child she met at the beach.
For some reason, the woman started to miss him. It was my first time seeing him, but when he leaned into me, his scent was just so familiar. Oh, I must be overthinking it.
She pinched her thigh in an attempt to shake off the strange feeling.
Jake said gently, “It’s getting windy now. Let’s head back inside.” The couple then retreated into the living room.
As the night deepened, Joan stared at the withering flowers outside the window and became a little sorrowful.
“Joan, I think it’s about time we start planning for our wedding.” All of a sudden, Jake held onto the woman’s hands and proposed in a serious tone.