Seeing their hesitation, Vincent reiterated with a hint of menace, “Take it. $10, 000 is just enough for Yohan to buy a toy. There’s no need to argue over such a small sum of money.”
“Alright, let’s consider this matter settled.” Don’s mother reluctantly accepted the check and cautioned Estelle, “You should ensure this doesn’t happen again.”
Estelle replied with a gracious smile, holding Yvonne and Christina in her arms, “Thank you. Our children will continue attending the same kindergarten, so it’s best if we can get along.”
Turning to her kids, she asked, “Now that Uncle Vincent is here, which game would you like to play?”
The children chimed in unison, “Basketball!”
Feeling awkward, Vincent touched the back of his head and explained, “I’m afraid that’s not a good idea. Mr. Hans instructed me to look out for you, and he might be displeased if I take over his role today.”
Estelle sighed and asked Yohan to look after the girls. She approached Vincent and made a heartfelt request, “Could you please do me a favor for the children’s sake? Regardless of what’s happening between Cristofer and me, he’s their father. Don made a scene earlier, and many children must have heard him. Because of this, I don’t want my kids to be singled out or teased in kindergarten.”
Vincent cared for the children and knew them well, so he hesitated momentarily before agreeing, “Alright, I’ll help out. But if Mr. Hans gets upset, please explain it to him on my behalf.”
“Thank you,” Estelle replied gratefully, willing to do whatever it took. She added, “He won’t find out unless we tell him.”
Vincent then walked over to the kids, took off his blazer, and rolled up his sleeves. Yohan led him to the basketball court. The teacher explained the rules, provided them with a box of basketballs, and said, “You can begin. You have ten minutes.”
Yohan was agile, making the basketball game quite manageable for him. Estelle and Vincent tried their best to lift him higher, and Yohan successfully scored all the baskets. Yvonne and Christina cheered him on enthusiastically, chanting, “Yohan! Yohan! You’re the best!”
The teacher checked the time, tallied their scores on the blackboard, and stamped their card. She explained, “You’re currently the fastest. If no one beats your time, you’ll be the winner and receive a gift.”
Estelle glanced at the blackboard and saw that Don’s family was in second place. She gently rubbed her daughters’ heads and asked, “Are you feeling better now? Have you let out your frustration?”
Yvonne responded cheerfully, “I wasn’t frustrated. Let’s move on to the next game.” Holding Estelle’s hand, she led her to a wall where people were playing Pictionary. Cute bunny dolls were hanging on the wall, and Yvonne wanted to get one.
Christina walked with excitement, accompanied by Yohan and followed by Vincent. When she noticed that Don was watching them, she said loudly, “It’s not a big deal. There’s nothing my brother can’t do well. But someone here is only good at tattling to his parents about other kids. That’s not what a real man does.”
Don got upset and started crying upon hearing her words. Christina stuck her tongue out at him as if seeking revenge for Yvonne. Vincent and Yohan stood beside her. Yohan gently patted Christina’s head and gave her a bottle of yogurt, which she began to drink quietly.
Next, the three kids worked together and set records for many games with Yohan’s organization, Yvonne’s carefulness, and Christina’s vigor. After the event ended, they found they had almost won all the gifts.
The teachers happily gave them the gifts. One of them smiled at them and said, “I didn’t expect that you would beat other families. Thanks to your dad. You wouldn’t have won so many gifts if he didn’t come in time.”
Helping them carry the gifts, Vincent immediately shook his head and explained, “No. No. No. I’m not their father. I’m their father’s assistant. I’m just doing my job today.”
“What?” Surprised, The teacher said, “Sorry, I’m an intern, so I don’t know all the parents here.”
Feeling embarrassed for a few seconds, Estelle calmed down and waved her hands. “It’s alright. It’s not a big deal. Come on, guys. Say goodbye to your teachers, and we’ll go home.”
The kids then said goodbye to the teacher, glossing over the embarrassing topic. After that, they went out of the kindergarten and started counting their gifts. They were all excited when they saw that the trunk was almost full.
Estelle’s biggest wish was that her kids could have some fun today, and she was satisfied now as the children were standing beside Vincent and chattering like a party of magpies. “Okay. Don’t bother Uncle Vincent anymore. Let’s go home and then see what you’ve won, okay?”
“Sure,” Yohan said as he opened the car’s right rear door. Being the older brother, he was accustomed to letting his two little sisters enter the car first.
Yvonne glanced at the trunk and tugged at Vincent’s blazer. “Uncle Vincent, can I have that Iron Man toy?”
“This one?” Vincent asked, holding up the popular toy that many boys liked. After Yvonne nodded, he handed it to her.
“Thank you,” Yvonne replied with a bright smile before running back to the kindergarten.
Rather than stopping her, Estelle followed to see what Yvonne had in mind. Yohan and Christina also returned, leaving Vincent behind as he was still arranging the gifts in the trunk.
Yvonne went back to find Don. He hadn’t won any games after losing in basketball, so he was leaving without any gifts. When he spotted Yvonne, he rolled his eyes and muttered, “You don’t have to come back just to flaunt your gift.”
“I’m not here to show off,” Yvonne replied, shaking her head as she handed him the Iron Man toy. “I want to make up with you. My mom says it’s normal to argue, but making up and being friends is important.”
Estelle had told them this during storytime, and Yvonne had remembered it well. Estelle smiled with satisfaction and said to Christina and Yohan, who were nearby, “You should also try to be kind and make friends with other kids like Yvonne.”
Don was taken aback when he heard Yvonne’s words. He had initially laughed at Yvonne and Christina, but now he seemed uncertain about how to react. He scratched his head in confusion.
Yvonne, however, didn’t give up. She took a step closer to Don, holding out the Iron Man toy. She explained, “My brother and sister shouldn’t have pushed you, so I want to give you this gift as an apology. I hope we can be friends from now on.”