Chapter 21
Inside the pottery studio, everything had calmed down.
Jennifer mechanically worked the clay in her hands, and her knuckles were pale from the pressure.
Clara sat quietly beside her, glancing over every now and then with visible worry.
“Ms. Jennifer…” Clara finally couldn’t hold back. Her eyes were filled with concem as she asked, “You’re really sad, aren’t you? You don’t look happy at all.”
Jennifer paused for a moment before forcing out a smile. “No, Clara, don’t worry about me. Just keep working on your little bowl.”
Kevin quietly handed her a cup of warm water, setting it gently beside her. “Want to take a break?”
Jennifer shook her head, looking at the half–formed clay bowl in front of her.
Its lopsided shape mirrored how her emotions were at that moment.
The image of Yvonne’s and Yannick’s tear–streaked faces kept flashing through her mind. It weighed heavily on her.
“They look thinner,” she murmured, more to herself than to anyone else.
Kevin didn’t reply. He simply sat beside her in quiet companionship.
F 2 3 8
Sunlight streamed through the glass windows onto the worktable, and Clara’s tiny bowl glowed warmly under the light.
Clara thought for a moment and suddenly said excitedly, “Uncle Kevin, let’s make a gift for Ms. Jennifer!”
Kevin smiled and gently tousled her hair. “Sure. What do you want to make?”
Clara beamed. “A little house! Then, Ms. Jennifer will have a new home!”
That simple, innocent sentence made Jennifer’s nose sting with emotion.
Jennifer looked at the little girl who was carefully shaping the clay, and at Kevin, who was patiently guiding her. Suddenly, she realized something.
Without even noticing, these two had become an important part of her life.
Jennifer asked softly, “Clara, why do you want to make me a home?”
Clara looked up innocently. “Because you look sad. Uncle Kevin said home should be a place that makes you happy. I want you to be happy too.” Jennifer’s eyes reddened again.
Kevin awkwardly adjusted his glasses, and his ears reddened slightly. “Kids say the wildest things. Jen, don’t be upset.”
“Thank you,” Jennifer suddenly said. Her voice caught a little, but she quickly laughed through the tears, “Meeting you two has brought me so much happiness.” Clara immediately threw her arms around Jennifer’s neck, hugging her tightly. “Then let’s stay together forever. Just like a real family!”
Kevin froze mid–motion, and the clay slipped through his fingers.
He met Jennifer’s gaze, and both of them blushed at the same time.
He said gently, “Clara, you’ll make her feel pressured if you say things like that. She
”
“It’s okay,” Jennifer interrupted with a soft smile. She patted Clara’s head and looked at Kevin with a calm and warm expression. “I’d be honored to be a part of your lives.”
Two pairs of eyes instantly lit up.
Jennifer looked at the two of them and couldn’t help but laugh. The heaviness in her heart was slowly being replaced by something new.
It was something she hadn’t felt for a long time–peace.
