Ruby gasped, immediately pulling the blanket over both Ed's body and her own, leaving only their heads visible. She turned her body to shield Ed, who was luckily lying close to the wall. Ed instantly went still, his body stiff beneath the covers.AJ slowly walked in, clearly puzzled by the sight of Ruby completely covered. "Mommy, are you still sick?" he asked.AJ approached, and Ruby shook her head vigorously. "Don't come!" she exclaimed."Why not?" AJ looked disappointed."Sorry, but don't come any closer." Ruby forced herself to smile."Oh, is it contagious? Like chickenpox?" For the same reason, Ruby had previously forbidden AJ from approaching one of his friends."Mommy isn't sure, but it's better if you don't get sick, right? You're still recovering." Ruby prayed earnestly that AJ would leave soon."Hmm... are you cold?" AJ asked, still puzzled, why Ruby hadn't shown her hands or neck."Y-yes." Ruby stammered, feeling the nervous sweat on her back."Why are you here? Shouldn't y
"Nice. This is good." Ed observed the surroundings."Just say it. This is too simple for your usual environment," Ruby scoffed, not believing Ed's assessment.Her home in New York wasn’t bad, but it was far from what Ed had. Ruby focused on her business, not her house."I’m not criticizing anything. This house is comfortable, and AJ... seems to be enjoying it," Ed said, turning to look at AJ, who was jumping in the middle of the staircase to the second floor."Can you hear this?! It sounds like a mouse!" AJ shouted, demonstrating to Ed something he found amusing.The middle of the old staircase creaked whenever someone stepped on it, and AJ was doing it on purpose. The house wasn’t in perfect condition, as Ruby hadn’t gathered enough money for repairs. As long as it was usable, Ruby ignored any noises.However, witnessing AJ consistently leap at the same location was worrisome."AJ, you’re going to make it collapse," Ruby warned, but AJ just laughed and continued."AJ," Ed called out
"I don't want you to get your hopes up too much. When her memory isn't perfect, my mom can be a bit difficult to talk to," Ruby warned Ed as they parked the car.Ed nodded. "I understand."Ed had no experience meeting someone with Alzheimer's disease, but he knew enough about the condition."Come on, hurry!" AJ was enthusiastic, as usual, and pulled his mom and Ed by the hand."Slow down, AJ. You'll spill the coffee." Ruby, of course, had brought some food for Grace."I'll take it." Ed finally took the coffee, holding it more steadily."You're really excited to meet her," Ed said, ruffling AJ's hair and trying to calm his excitement."Yeah, Abuela is nice. Even if she doesn't remember who I am, she's nice." AJ never voiced any complaints about the situation because Jade, despite her memory loss, had never been mean to her."My mom never felt the need to be harsh with children. Grace says it's instinct," Ruby explained again to
“MAMA!” Ruby pulled her mother's wheelchair back instantly, while Ed wiped his face, his eyes squinting—stinging from the juice that had hit them directly.“Daddy, here.” AJ approached with tissues for him, then led Ed away. AJ seemed accustomed to Jade's sudden changes in behavior. He stepped back while his mother calmed down.“Mama, what’s wrong?” Ruby stroked her mother’s shoulder, which was moving and heaving with anger. She continued to glare at Ed with hatred in her eyes.“Tell him I’m not coming back! I won’t give up, Ruby!” Jade grabbed Ruby’s hand on her shoulder and pulled her closer.“Where is Gemma? Have you seen her? Bring her here! We’re leaving!” Jade began wheeling herself toward the door.“Mama, who is Gemma?” Ruby had never heard that name before.“Gemma! Your sister! Hurry! They’ll be here any minut
Ed released his embrace and stroked Ruby's head. He had come to Ruby's room with that purpose. He knew Ruby would be anxious.“Gemma... there's no doubt she's your sister. Just look at her name,” said Ed.“Hm?”“Gemma—it means a precious gem. It bears similarities to both your name and your mother's name, Jade. That name was chosen specifically. But it’s too early to conclude whether this Gemma is Liz. We need to ask your mother for more clarity.” Ed wanted Ruby to avoid making hasty assumptions.“I... Before this, I hadn't heard a single word about Gemma. Not even once. Why all of a sudden…” Ruby shook her head, unable to comprehend.“Because of Guadalajara. Have you ever discussed that city with your mother?” Ed asked.Ruby shook her head. “Not any city. Mom never allowed me to leave Veracruz. All my life, she urged me not to leave that city. I never went far. I only realized on our wedding day that I could get car sick—because that was the first time I traveled far.”Because her mo
“What do you mean you don’t know? How long has this house been empty?!” Esli was slightly agitated because Liz’s answers so far had been unsatisfactory. 'I don't know' had come up five times, but Liz didn't feel guilty.“Dad, I really don’t know! What am I supposed to tell you? Ed hasn’t come home for a long time. It’s been months!” Liz, who was lying by the pool, took off her sunglasses and stood up to face her father, annoyed at being disturbed. She wanted to enjoy her relaxing time.“He’s your husband! At the very least, you should know where he is, Liz. I was not angry with you when you didn’t sleep with Ed, but at least you should know where he is when I need him.” Esli shouted."You didn't say anything before, and now you suddenly come and demand that I do something! Don’t be ridiculous!” Liz retorted.“You haven’t done anything as Ed’s wife for years! Do you know how much money I spent covering up all of your craziness? Do you know how much money I've spent on paying off all th
“I want that one. One more.” AJ pointed to another flavor of gelato.“Isn’t this enough?” Ed gestured to AJ’s already full cup. It had three flavors and would overflow if AJ asked for another.“No, it’s for Mommy. This flavor. Coffee and chocolate.” AJ wasn’t thinking about himself.“Oh, okay.” Ed smiled and ordered a new portion.“Two more.” Ed didn’t order just one.“Who’s the other for?” AJ was now confused.“For me.” Ed moved AJ aside, paid for all the orders, and then held his hand as they walked out. The paper bag containing the gelato cups was in his left hand.“But you said you don’t like sweets.” AJ leapt over a puddle as they walked back to ADDF's main building.“I also want to eat with you.” Ed didn’t want to be left out.“Is Mommy still crying?” AJ asked again, his face turning red.“I don’t think so.” Ed wasn’t brave enough to bear the truth.Ed had left Ruby earlier, at her request. She had cried after hearing what Jade said, and naturally, AJ wanted to cry too. With a h
"Daddy, is Mommy sick again?" AJ asked, clutching his blanket, worried."No. She's just tired. For the next few days until we return to Zurich, I'll be with you when you go to sleep. Don't you like that?" Ed squinted his eyes."I do!" AJ laughed softly.He didn't mind, but he would certainly ask for a reason for the change. He didn't protest when Ed took him to his room; he only asked after Ed finished reading him a book."Go to sleep now; I'll turn off the light." Ed got off the bed, but his hand was held back as AJ grabbed his arm."Can I give you a hug?"A smile formed easily, warmth spreading all the way to his toes. Ed was too happy."Of course." Ed bent down and let AJ wrap his arms around his neck."Thank you. You're helping Mommy." AJ didn't know exactly how, but he knew Ruby hadn't really done anything since they returned from visiting Jade.Even at dinner—Ed ordered pizza—Ruby just sat there blankly, while Ed got the plates, forks, and everything else. AJ knew he was still a