Family of Four

“Mommy!” Leon yelled as he dashed into the house with Nicholas hurrying behind him. Without missing a beat, Leon ran straight to the kitchen and wrapped his arms around Anne’s legs. He said like a spoiled son that he was, “Mommy, I missed you all day! Daddy’s no fun anymore.”

“Give me a moment, Leon,” Anne said, glancing down as she stirred a pot on the stove. She didn’t want oil splatters to reach him. She added with a frown, “Why are you in the kitchen? Did you wash your hands after being outside? And you are still wearing your shoes! I have told you before, the kitchen needs to be kept clean. We all have weak immune systems and I don’t want any germs coming in here. Go wait in the living room until I’m done.”

Leon’s eyes widened as he took in his mother’s stern tone. It was different from her usual coddling self. Lately, she had been indulging him and treating him like he was the center of her universe. Now, he felt like he was being treated just like any other child and it didn’t s