The three of them sipped rose tea in the garden, chatting away. Maybe it was the gentle warmth of the breeze or the way the new
leaves on the trees looked so soft and green, but the whole courtyard seemed wrapped in a peaceful,forting glow.
Most of the conversation cfrom Eugene. Whenever Grandma Winters asked a question, he'd respond at length, never leaving
a silence unfilled.
Grandma Winters spoke slowly, but there was something soothing about her voice, a calm that settled over everyone. Sylvia joined
in every so often, though the afternoon sun beating down on her back made her feel drowsy and relaxed, as if the sunlight itself
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtwas slowly unwinding every last knot of tension.
Gradually, the shadows of the trees crept across the neat stone path, scattering flecks of shade over their feet. The breeze shifted,
growing cooler. Eugene stood up, fetched a blanket, and gently draped it over Grandma Winters’ knees, then tucked another
across Sylvia's legs.
Sylvia tried to protest, but Grandma Winters just chuckled. "Let him fuss over you, dear. That's what he’s supposed to do. Don’t
move."
Sylvia could never bring herself to refuse the old woman's kindness, so she sat back and let the warmth settle over her.
Then Grandma Winters turned to Eugene. "VIVI and Coco will be here soon. Go feed them, will you?"
Eugene explained to Sylvia, "VIVI and Coco are stray cats Grandma takes care of. Theye by around this tevery day for
their meal. I'll just be a minute."
"Go ahead," Sylvia smiled. "Don’t worry about us."
Eugene left to feed the cats, leaving Sylvia and Grandma Winters alone in the garden.
Though Grandma Winters’ eyes were clouded with age, they held a peacefulness Sylvia rarely saw. "Sylvia, | hope you know—
Eugene cares for you very much."
Sylvia hesitated, unsure how to reply. She managed a smile. "Mr. Winters is a good man. He looks out for everyone around him."
A shadow crossed Grandma Winters’ face. "| don’t have much tleft. What worriesmost is Eugene. His parents care more
about their business and money than they do about him. Who knows what kind of wife they'll try to find for him one day? I'm afraid
he won't be happy."
Sylvia blinked in surprise. "What do you mean?"
Grandma Winters smiled gently. "I'm ill, Sylvia. It's serious, and there's no cure. Eugene tries to keep it from me, but | know."
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