Ice and Fire

In the morning, with the sunlight filling into the room, Cherry opened her eyes sleepily and found Joe Shen's legs on her waist, his body sprawled on the other side of the bed.

Cherry looked at the clock on the wall. It was 10 o'clock!

Cherry shouted in a hurry, "Joe Shen, wake up, right now!"

Joe Shen, deep in his sleep, heard someone calling his name. He could not see who it was but his guess was on mommy.

With his eyes still shut, Joe Shen spoke with annoyance, "Shhhhh! I need to sleep a little longer. Don't disturb my beautiful dream, please. There's a beautiful girl in my dream."

Cherry looked at her son angrily, "Joe Shen, your computer is missing!"

As soon as Cherry said it, she saw Joe Shen opening his eyes immediately.

"Where is my computer? Who has taken my computer? Help me find it back, please!" Joe Shen sprang out of bed on his feet.

His concern for his computer angered Cherry even more. She asked in a fit of anger, "Joe, is your computer more important to you than your mother?"

It then occurred to Joe that his mommy was lying to him. He snuggled into bed, closed his eyes and tried to negotiate sleeping again. Lying on his comfortable bed, he said sleepily, "Mommy, you are the greatest mommy in the world."

"If you mean that, get up right now." Cherry saw that her son wanted to sleep again and her anger began boiling again.

Joe Shen couldn't tolerate his mother's noise any more. He grudgingly allowed himself to be dragged by Cherry into the washroom to wash his face.

When Cherry, taking Joe's hand, brought him downstairs, she was welcomed by the aroma of a delicious breakfast.

"Wow! Uncle does know how to cook!" Joe Shen shouted happily. Although he had been forced to get up so early in the morning, it was all worth it to enjoy the yummy breakfast. For this, he could forgive his mother for her bossiness.

"Your uncle has always been good at cooking, " said Cherry, walking Joe Shen into the kitchen.

kitchen. Pleased to see Cherry and Joe, he greeted them lovingly, "Good morning. Now, take a seat and have your

them sat at the

the delicious food, "Mommy, I think uncle's

right, "

him so that I'll have a dad who is good at

a fit of

of water so

the glass with gratitude and drank the water slowly to relieve the discomfort forming

said, "You talk such nonsense! He's your

can't you marry him? Why can't

you say this in front of me!" Cherry was beside herself with fury. She was worried that she would

Shen, "Joe, don't try to anger your mother. She's right. I'm your uncle, and you're

head with utter disappointment. He tried but still couldn't see things from the perspectives of the adults around him. However, he really wanted his mommy to be happy. He knew that uncle loved and spoiled him, and his mommy needed that support. After all, she had been living a hard life. At nights, he could often hear mommy cry. He knew that his mommy must really miss his father, the man who had broken her heart.

needed a family. In those past five years, she had had a very hard time accepting that it was herself who had inflicted pain on Joe. He deserved a harmonious family which included a father. Joe was smart and thoughtful, but the lack of a father had affected his life and would continue to do so in the future. She knew this and

to look at Joe first and then at Cherry. He feelings towards them was also complicated. To lift up their spirits, he said, "Joe, finish your breakfast, and I will take you

will be good, " Joe nodded slightly, although he still kept

food slowly. Aware of her son's upset mood, she still had no

Cherry, "Cherry, what will you

the outskirts." Even before returning to China,

but said

Shen knew that Emily had been one of mommy's closest friends. Mommy had told him some of Emily's stories too. He also knew that Emily had

and requested timidly, "Mommy, I also want

his son's anger had disappeared. She had always been proud

This time, she would visit Emily on her own. She had a lot to talk to Emily about. If Joe were present, she would have to hide some secrets from

me there next time. Don't forget that, "