Chapter 309
As soon as Edison’s car rolled up to the edge of the village, the kids spotted him right away.
“Edison’s back!” someone shouted, and within seconds a crowd of children came running over. The older ones peeled off, eager to spread the news to Pandora.
They swarmed around Edison’s car, calling his name, some even yelling out “Grandpa Edison” because of how the family tree worked here. It was such a funny little scene that even Claire, not just Jenny, found herself smiling at the novelty of it all.
“These kids look really well-dressed and clean,” Claire remarked, keeping her voice low as she watched the group. “They’re nothing like what I thought rural Solenia would be like p>
Edison stepped out and popped open the trunk, pulling out a big bag of candy. He started handing it out, making sure every kid got a good handful.
“So, what did you think Solenia’s countryside was like?” he asked, glancing over with a grin.
Claire shrugged. “All of the news I’ve seen back home paints a really bleak picture. Like, they always show children in ragged clothes, barely any shoes, toes sticking out, never even wearing socks p>
Jenny nodded, remembering. “That’s what I’d heard too p>
“Those days are long gone,” Edison said, passing out the last of the treats. “Solenia’s changed. Young people from the villages go to the city to work or study, and a lot of them come back to help build up their hometowns, run businesses, help their families make a better life p>
He gestured at the cheerful, energetic children. “Nobody here goes without something to eat or wear. The village kids all go to school now p>
Jenny smiled. “You can tell. They seem so happy p>
None of the kids looked cold or hungry. The old stories just didn’t fit anymore.
“Hey Edison, how come you came back with Claire?” one of the kids piped up, eyeing Claire with curiosity. It was Jim, the boy Claire had helped at the family reunion.
Jim clearly wanted to get closer to Claire but hung back, a bit nervous. Edison, who hadn’t been around for that event, just answered simply.
“Well, Claire goes to school in Apex, and I work there too. So we just came back together this time p>
Jim scratched his head, not sure if he understood, but he took it in. “I want to be like Claire and study in Apex when I grow up p>
Claire couldn’t help but laugh. She ruffled his hair. “Then you have to work hard in school. Only the best students get to go study in the city p>
Jim blushed and ducked his head, leaning closer to her hand. “Like Cindy did p>
He’d always heard the adults talk about how smart Cindy was, and how she’d passed the entrance exam for a big schoolin Apex Claire’s Stile didnt fade. Just like Cindy p>
They made their way back to the James Estate, driving up the winding
lane. Thanks to the older kids, Pandora already knew Edison and Claire were on their way home. Patti had come over too, ready to help Pandora get lunch ready, since Pandora never really cooked.
Edison’s grandmother, Vicki, also came along to lend a hand. Everyone in the family called her Vicki, She looked a little older than Pandora and had been tending the fire in the kitchen when she heard Edison’s voice. She came out right away, her sharp eyes immediately landing on the foreign girl standing quietly just behind Edison.