Part 26

I knocked on the white square package in my hand before taking out the filtered object and placing it in my mouth. "I thought Dr. Gladwin doesn't smoke." The mocking voice beside me made me turn. Freddie looked at me with his questioning gaze.

I'm not an active smoker, but occasionally, I smoke when stressed or when gathering with friends where cigarettes serve as one of our bonding tools. You know, a cigarette and the conversations of men. And right now, stress is my reason for smoking.

"How's Robby doing?" I asked casually.

"He's fine. How about the foundation? Enjoyable, working with the kids?" he replied.

I nodded. Yes, replacing Freddie to check on the kids at the foundation back then made me grateful for the blessings I have now. A complete family, the love of my family, a successful and well-paying career. It's vastly different from their situations.

But forget a