Stella Grace was reading a book. There were a lamp and a pot of tea on the desk. Her shadow was cast onto the bookcase and he felt warm looking at her. His eyes softened a little subconsciously. He raised the corner of his mouth and called, “Natalie.”
Stella looked at him and saw Ralph.
Ralph pursed his lips tightly and looked at her awkwardly. His eyes were flickering and his hands were twisted uneasily.
Stella smiled and said, “You’re back.”
“Are you going to talk to him?” Jasper Milton asked.
Stella nodded and said, “Sure, I’ll call you later.”
“Okay,” Jasper turned around and went out.
“Dad,” Ralph shouted, but Jasper ignored him. He took a deep breath and looked at Stella. When he realized that Stella was also looking at him, he took a step back subconsciously.
Stella didn’t say a word and continued to read her book. She flipped through the pages, one after another.
Time seemed to stop. He stood while she read.
Ten minutes later, Ralph walked toward Stella slowly and stopped in front of her.
Stella closed the book and asked softly, “How old are you?”
“Seven years old,” Ralph said. He lowered his eyes, not meeting her gaze.
“Seven years old. So, you are still a child. Let me guess, the conversation between us will determine whether you will stay or leave, right?” Stella said directly.
Ralph looked at Stella in surprise, “Will you drive me away?”
Stella took out a piece of paper and said, “Tell me why you want to stay here.”
“If I were to stay here, I would be able to see my father often,” Ralph said.
“Your father will go to the military base every day and he will also go on business trips. He will probably only be home for about 20 days a month. You go to bed at 8 p. m. During those days he would also have other things to do, so he may be only able to spend time with you for five minutes each day. That’s a total of 100 minutes a month. Will you be satisfied with just that?” Stella asked.
Ralph nodded, “Please don’t drive me away.”
“If I could fulfill one of your wishes, what would you wish for?” Stella drew a sun on the paper.
“I wish for my parents to be together,” Ralph said.
Stella smiled lightly, “If you were to stay with your father, then your mother would not be able to stay with you. If your father and your mother are together, you would not be able to be with them. Which one would you choose then?”
Ralph thought for a moment and said, “I choose for my parents to be together.”
“Where will you go then?” Stella asked.
“I can live by myself, but my mother is sick and she needs someone to take care of her,” Ralph said worriedly.
Stella drew green grass, red flowers, big trees, and kids on the paper.
“If, and I mean, if, one day, you found out that your mother doesn’t love you, will you stay with her? Or will you go back to your father?” Stella asked again.
Ralph’s eyes turned red, “My mother doesn’t want me anymore. She doesn’t want me to stay with her.”
“So, even though you knew that she doesn’t love you, you still love her, right?” Stella handed him the paper and pencil case.
Ralph looked at Stella, puzzled.
Stella smiled and said, “Color this picture.”
Ralph lowered his head and started coloring.
Stella looked at him and thought of her young self. Although the reasons were different, the result was the same. Her father married a new wife and gave birth to a new child and eventually abandoned her.
Her mother was not a good person. However, she was naturally sympathized upon because she was the victim who was hurt through the entire situation.
In fact, this little guy was very similar to her.
Stella looked at the painting he drew, “Do you hate me?”
Ralph stopped and held the pencil tightly. He paused for three seconds and said, “Dad said that you had nothing to do with my mother parting ways with him, so I don’t hate you.”
“Ralph, I like you because you are kind, responsible, and sympathetic. You could also differentiate love and hate clearly. It’s normal for you to not like me. I don’t want you to lie just because you want to stay,” Stella said sincerely.
“I don’t like you indeed. I had never liked you from the beginning,” Ralph clenched his fists and said.
“Because from the beginning, you thought that my existence will destroy the relationship between your parents. It’s true. The relationship between your parents is getting worse. So, I can understand your feelings. But I have something to say, so listen to me clearly,” Stella told him.
Ralph looked at Stella warily.
“First, I know that you don’t like me. You just want to be with your father and not with me.
Second, you are still too young to understand the relationship between adults as well as the love and hatred they share amongst each other. It is too deep for you to understand at such a young age. I hope that you know that the best thing you should do now is to study hard and grow up well. When you grow up, you could then learn everything – who your father is, who your mother is, and who you truly are. We all love you very much. However, sometimes, things develop beyond our expectations.
Third, I have a good suggestion to discuss with you. Your father will find another place for you. You will be taken good care of by someone else. If you stay here, the time you could communicate with your father is only 100 minutes a month. I promise you that after you go there, your father will still accompany you for 100 minutes a month.
Fourth, we’re not sending you away because we don’t love you. It’s because I know that you will not be happy here. I want you to be happy. When you grow up, you may able to understand. Are you able to accept what I’ve just said?” Stella said patiently.
“Is that place in a foreign country? I don’t want to go abroad,” Ralph said worriedly.
“It’s not a foreign country, just in A city,” Stella told him directly.
“Will I still be able to see my mother?” Ralph asked expectantly.
“Ralph, you think that your mother is the best mother in the world. As we have different standpoints, we think that your mother will hurt you. But even though we hold such sentiments, you still carry your own judgment. But because we love you, we will take your will into consideration. If you’re good, I will help you request a visit once a month, but it also depends on whether your mother is willing to see you. Is that okay?” Stella discussed it with him.
“Okay, that’s settled then. Tell Dad not to send me abroad, I will behave myself well,” Ralph promised.
Stella rubbed Ralph’s head and said, “Take good care of yourself and don’t abuse yourself anymore. Only those who love you will care and worry about you. When you hurt yourself, you’re also hurting those who love you the most. Those who have no care for you and hate you will be happier when they see you getting worse. Do you understand?”
Stella took off her scarf and put it around Ralph’s neck, “People have a soft heart. Go ahead and live a positive life.”
Stella took the paper from him. The trees were green, the grass was green and the flowers were red.
She smiled slightly and rubbed Ralph’s head again, “You should look for your father now. He will definitely make the best arrangements for you because he loves you more than you could ever imagine.”