Chapter 355
“It’s chicken soup, let me get you a bowl.” Pandora motioned for the housekeeper to head to the kitchen.
Vince’s mouth was practically watering just from the smell.
The housekeeper set the steaming bowl down on the coffee table. “Careful, it’s hot p>
Vince plopped down on a small stool and reached for the bowl, but the housekeeper quickly stopped him. “Not so fast, let it cool a bit first p>
Pandora laughed. “Let it sit for a moment p>
Viola smiled and picked up the bowl, giving it a gentle blow to cool it off. “Let me
feed you p>
Vince dodged her with a stubborn look. “I want to do it myself p>
Viola had no choice but to give in and let him go at it alone. She looked over at Pandora and started chatting. “Your granddaughter is so sweet, really. She’s a senior in high school and still comes home to spend time with you. My family isn’t like that at all. They went off to some beach resort for the holidays. It’s one thing if they don’t take me, but they didn’t even take Vince. He’s so little. This is when kids need their parents the most, but they just left him behind p>
Pandora just smiled politely, not wanting to get in the middle of it. It was always the same—people could complain about their own family all they wanted, but if someone else agreed, suddenly it was a problem.
She chose her words carefully. “They’re still young. They want to travel and have some fun. You’re the one with Vince every day, so he’s definitely going to be closest to you as he grows up. Look at me, the only one who visits is Claire p>
Claire dropped by all the time, but Pandora’s two sons and their families barely came around.
Viola seemed relieved to hear this. “You’re right p>
Everyone in the village respected Pandora’s medical skills. People were always stopping by with headaches and fevers, grateful for her help. Of course, that didn’t stop a few people from gossiping behind her back.
Viola watched Vince slurping his soup. “I just hope Vince will be as sweet to me as Claire is to you p>
Vince paused mid-sip, chubby cheeks shining with broth and a big oil ring around his mouth. “Grandma, I’ll be so nice to you-nicer than Claire p>
Viola laughed so hard her eyes disappeared into happy slits. “Good boy, my good boy p>
The two didn’t linger too long. After polishing off their soup, they headed off. The next morning, Viola showed up again, this time carrying a bunch of fresh pea shoots she’d just picked.
“Claire’s loved these since she was little. We grew a bunch this year, so I got up early and picked some for her p>
Claire especially liked them cooked in soup.
Pandora took the greens with a smile. “Thank you. Our garden has plenty too, but I appreciate it p>
Viola shook her head. “Yours are for here. These, she can take back to the city with her p>
Pandora mostly just gardened for the family, planting all sorts of vegetables to keep them well fed.
“Alright, she’ll take these with her,” Pandora agreed. She never turned down a gift if it was for her granddaughter.
That morning, Claire slept in a little.
It always happened here. Something about the house just made her sleep deeper and dream better Rain pattered saftly against the windows as she joined Pandora by the fire. They sat together, the warmth of the flames and the peaceful sound of rain making everything feel extra cozy.
Claire started chatting about her latest patient. Pandora raised an eyebrow. “You stopped his bleeding with needles, but didn’t use your scalpel to get the shrapnel out? Why not p>
She sounded just a little
disappointed. Claire had started ber
medical training with modern
medicine but lately she was leaning.
toward traditional techniques, and Pandora couldn’t help but notice.
Claire smiled, picking at a loose thread on her sleeve. “I couldn’t just take over someone else’s job. Besides, that old military doctor was amazing p>
She knew Pandora was kind of competitive whenever it came to medicine, but Claire couldn’t help but admire both sides. There was something good in all types of healing if you looked for it.