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Miriam was about to run after Benny when she noticed Teresa sitting on the steps , holding her stomach .
She asked , “ Teresa , are you okay ? Did you get a stitch ? ”
Teresa said with a frown , “ Maybe . ” After Jennifer suddenly showed up a couple of days and Irene came all the way to Everport , her mood was really bad .
Miriam said , “ Maybe you just need some rest . I’ll go grab you a bottle of water . Wait here .”
Miriam jogged off , while Teresa took slow and deep breaths .
The breeze felt wonderful . June in Everport wasn’t too hot . The summer heat didn’t hit until July or August here .
The view in the distance was stunning : all trees and hills . Nature was the best healer .
Little by little , Teresa’s stomach stopped hurting so much . Soon Miriam came back with a bottle of water .
Teresa said , “ I feel much better now , Miriam . Go check on Beríny . What is he doing with Michael ? ”
Miriam said , “ Alright . You’re really okay ? I’ll go see what they’re doing . ”
After that , Miriam ran off again .
Teresa originally wanted to pray for herself in the church . But right now , all she could think about was her kids . She did not want her kids , including Michael , to get hurt .
She prayed for both her children .
Here , people liked to tie red ribbons on which they had written the names of people they cared about to the tree branches . As Teresa tied a red ribbon to a branch , she didn’t notice that , right next to the big tree , another red ribbon was fluttering on the tree .
The name Jonathan was at the bottom of it .
Benny had gone up to a little supermarket on the mountain and came back with lollipops , ice cream , and all sorts of tasty snacks , all for Michael .
Benny asked , “ Mike , I’ve got a super serious question for you . Can you answer it ? ”
Benny put both hands on Michael’s tiny shoulders .
Michael munched on his ice cream and said in an adorable voice , “ Bunny , if you play a game with me , I’ll tell you ! ”
Benny said , “ But I don’t know anything about games . I just want to ask if your mom is Teresa . ”
Michael suddenly stopped licking his ice cream and looked at Benny warily . “ Bunny , why are you asking me this ? ”
Benny could clearly see how guarded the little guy was .
He thought it was getting more and more interesting .
His curiosity was practically bursting out of him now , like he was about to clear the final level , and the finish line was right ahead .
“ Don’t be scared . ” Benny leaned in and whispered to Michael , “ Just tell me , is your mom Teresa ? I promise I won’t tell anyone . ”
The little guy said , “ Ms. Johnston isn’t my mom . ”
Benny deliberately put on a stern face . “ Hey , kids don’t lie . You should be honest , just like me . I’ve always been honest since I was little . That’s how you grow up to be someone great . ”
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Miriam rushed over just in time . She scooped Michael up and glared at Benny . “ Benny ! What the hell ! What are you doing ? What are you saying to the kid ? ”
Benny stood up , looking especially frustrated , and stared at Miriam .
M
He said , “ Just tell me the truth . Is this kid Teresa’s or not ? I swear to God I won’t tell anyone else , ”
“ Will you give it a rest ? Teresa’s got a stomachache , and you’re still here saying meaningless stuff . ”
Bénny asked , “ What ? What happened to Teresa ? ”
Benny and Miriam hurried back , but Teresa was already feeling much better . Her stomach didn’t hurt anymore . It was just a stitch from walking too fast . She even bought sachets stuffed with fragrant herbs for Miriam and Benny .
Michael ran over to Teresa . She tied the sachet for him to his pocket .
Benny said , “ What about Jonathan ? Didn’t you get one for him ? ” He kept staring at Teresa and Michael . His suspicions only grew stronger .
Teresa shot Benny an annoyed look . “ He’s not getting one . ”
Michael immediately dug into his pocket and pulled out the sachet . “ Give mine to Mr. Lime ! ”
Teresa was speechless .
In a huff , she tossed the blue sachet she had hidden in her pocket at Benny .
She said , “ Here , take it . Don’t tell him I bought it . Just tell him you bought it . ”
Benny couldn’t help but laugh , “ You two are hilarious . I asked him if he wanted to come to South Mountain with us . He said no . I told him you’d be there , still no . But he asked me to give you and Miriam a ride . ”
But Teresa and Miriam didn’t even bother talking to Benny . They just walked away with Michael .
Benny was speechless . He hurriedly caught up with the two women and the kid .
The way down the mountain was much easier . Benny tried to scoop Michael up , but the kid was bouncing and jumping , more energetic than anyone .
Michael shouted , “ Bunny , let’s have a game ! See who’s faster ! ”
Benny’s eyes lit up – he loved a good race , which was a good opportunity for him . He said , “ Alright ! ”
Michael said , looking absolutely adorable , “ But you can’t use your scooter ! That’s cheating ! ”
Benny laughed , “ I’ll ask my dad to change my name to Benny Bunny . No scooter for me then !”
As Benny and Michael raced down the mountain , Benny glanced back at Teresa and Miriam , noticing that they hadn’t caught up .
He said , “ Hey , little bun , tell me who your mom and dad are . ”
Michael replied , “ Bunny , I don’t know who my mom and dad are . ”
Benny clicked his tongue , amazed that the kid was smartly
dging the question . How funny !
Benny asked , “ So , who do you usually call Mom and Dad ? They are your parents .”
Michael puffed up his cheeks , looking a little sad . “ I wish Mr. Lime were my dad , but he’s not . My mom , she … ”
Before he could finish , Teresa and Miriam had already caught up with them .
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Benny didn’t get the answers he was hoping for .
He whistled , “ I’ll go get the car . Wait here for me . ”
After Benny went to get the car , Teresa found a cab on an app and left with Miriam and the kid . Miriam texted Benny : [ Teresa and I are heading to the supermarket . No need to give us a ride . ]
In the cab , Teresa decided she wanted to stop by the hospital . She had a stomachache earlier and was a bit worried , so she wanted to go to see a doctor
When they were close to the hospital , Teresa made up an excuse and got out of the car .
Michael , who’d been asleep , opened his eyes just in time to see Teresa getting out of the car , leaving him behind .
He shouted , “ Mom ! Mom ! ”
He scrambled out of the car and ran after Teresa . “ Mom , where are you going ? Take me with you ! ”
Miriam followed behind the kid , sighing , “ He just has to be with you . As soon as he woke up and saw you were leaving , he started shouting to get out of the car . ”
Teresa explained , “ Last time , when I thought you had a car accident and left him at a former coworker’s place , it really scared him . ”
Just as Teresa finished speaking , a black sedan brushed past her . The man inside happened to hear Michael calling her mom .
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