Ice and Fire

All day long, Cherry was absent-minded while working. She kept thinking about what Selina had told her earlier in the morning.

It was not until she left the building of the JS Group and got in her car that she finally called Wilson.

Wilson answered almost immediately. "Hi, Cherry, " he said.

"Wilson, are you still in the company?" asked Cherry.

"Yes. What's wrong?" Wilson had no idea on why she called him.

"I'm off duty now, and I'm going to pick up Joe from school and take him out for dinner. Tell Mom and Jacob not to wait for us for dinner when you get home, " said Cherry.

Wilson was a little surprised, and asked, "What happened? Why are you eating out today?"

"Nothing, " hastily said Cherry. "I'll be away on a business trip for a few days, and I want to take Joe out to a meal and tell him about it."

Pondering for a moment, Wilson considered that he didn't have anything left to say except a simple, "Okay."

After she hung up, Cherry drove straight to the school. Joe was very pleased to see her there, and after he got in the car he said delightedly, "Mom, I didn't expect you to pick me up today! I thought Uncle was coming to pick me up."

Cherry smiled while driving, and said, "I came because I'm free today. Joe, what would you like to eat for dinner? We'll skip the family meal and eat out tonight."

Hearing the good news, Joe cried out joyfully, "Really? Can we really eat outside?"

Cherry smiled as she looked at her cute boy, and said, "Of course, I already told your Grandma and Grandpa not to wait for us for dinner because I'm taking my baby out for a feast!"

Joe then stretched his arms and made a victory sign. "I'm going to have dinner with my Mommy alone! I'm so happy! Mommy, I want spaghetti!" said Joe cheerfully.

delighted

happily ordered with the menu in his hands while Cherry kept

Cherry only nibbled on her food and instead just watched Joe enjoying his meal.

Joe suddenly noticed that his mother had hardly eaten anything and that she was just staring at him.

aren't you

ate too much at lunch and I have no appetite now. Just enjoy

much food and he actually could finish it, but he wanted Cherry to

little food. You need to

more bites and then asked, "Mommy,

actually having a guess.

Joe, Cherry felt a little embarrassed, and said, "You've

real man, he said, "It's okay, Mommy, you can tell me. I can know, right? How am I supposed to guess

pondered for a moment. She then said, "Joe, I have to go out of town for

with her every night and see her every day. The thought made him sad.

softly replied Joe.

expression, Cherry quickly added, "Joe, I won't go if you're upset. I'll go to my boss tomorrow, tell her that

moment, he said, "No, Mommy, you should go, because your job is more important." He then suddenly looked as if he were very brave and strong, and said, "Mom, I'm alright, don't worry. You know what? I'm Joe, a real man! I'll just

pretending to be strong. She owed her lovely son too much, and although he was unwilling to

started to say, "Joe, I..." but was quickly interrupted by her son.

for my tests anyway. Uncle Wilson will pick me up from school, and if I can't fall asleep at night, I'll go to Grandpa and he'll tell me stories. His stories are wonderful!" It seemed that Joe had handled everything perfectly, and that Cherry had nothing

bitterly that maybe the only thing that she could do was to leave. She said, "Okay, my dear, but

definitely will!" replied Joe delightedly.

she could reveal her true feelings. She thought to herself, 'Joe, just wait for another few days.

into the living room they saw Wilson, who was

joyfully, "Uncle