Sidney sat by the gravestone, talking to her mother about her inner thoughts. Although no one would answer her questions, she couldn't help but express them, wanting her mother to hear.
"In the past, I had to transfer several buses to get here, but now I have a driver, so I can stay a little longer."
"Alondra says I'm foolish. Do you think I'm foolish?"
"It seems like Dad and the others don't care about me anymore."
"I've always remembered your words, to be a good daughter. I've never gone against Shelby's words, but she still doesn't like me."
"If you were still here... you would see me getting married. Yeah, I'm married now," she said with a wry smile at the photo.
"Actually, he's a decent guy. He's never given me any trouble, and honestly, I think this kind of husband suits me just fine." Sidney explained.
"If I divorce him, it's fine. I'll leave and start over somewhere far away, but I might not be able to visit as often."
Sidney spent the whole afternoon talking to herself before reluctantly packing up and leaving. Although her mother hadn't been very responsible when she was alive, they were still two people who depended on each other, living together day and night, and sharing everything, including her love-hate feelings towards Esteban and the grievances in her heart. She had poured it all out to Sidney, who was just a teenager at the time. Sidney had been like a punching bag, silently absorbing the pressure and negative emotions her mother gave her. But she had never dared to tell her mother about her own pain because she knew her mother was already suffering enough, and she didn't want to add more pressure on her. That's why she never spoke of being discriminated against and bullied by her classmates in elementary school. Her troubles had always been hers to bear.
By the time she got home, it was already evening. Sidney changed into a new outfit and went to the kitchen to check on the cook, then looked inside the fridge. It seemed that the cake was gone. Sidney felt happy; she appreciated that the things she made were being enjoyed.
After dinner, Sidney was back to fiddling with the baking ingredients. She was confident that the second attempt would turn out better and more beautiful than the last. This time, while baking the cake, she also prepared some fondant. Besides roses, she challenged herself with other simpler shapes. When the cook saw her working again, he came over and told Sidney, "The cake you made is delicious. My daughter really likes it."
Sidney was surprised. The cook had a family? She had always assumed someone as serious and cold as him, who spent all his time here, must be single.
"Ms. Mccann, I didn't know you had a daughter. Where is she?" Sidney asked, her voice softening with sympathy. Having lost her own mother at a young age, she always felt for children who had to grow up without that presence in their lives.
"She's back at the hometown, staying with my parents."
This was the first time the cook was willing to talk to her about something other than meals, baths, or sleep.
"How old is she?"
"Ten."
Sidney felt sorry for her, but she wasn't the type to pry into others' privacy. She just nodded sympathetically and said, "Once this is done, you can take it to her. What kind of design does she like?"
"No, ma'am, that's not what I meant," the cook said, shaking his head shyly.
"It's okay, I'm doing it willingly. You know, I'm quite free all day. If someone enjoys eating it, that's the best!" She thought about how, when she was ten, her mother was still by her side. But now, the cook's daughter had to endure separation at such a young age, which made her heart ache, especially on a day like today.
Sidney tried to shape a cartoon character. It wasn't an exact likeness, but she had captured its essence. She spread some fruit jam and cream that the cook had prepared earlier between the layers of the cake and then took her time decorating it carefully.
By the time she finished, it was already late evening. She placed the cake on the dining table and told the cook to take it home whenever he had time tomorrow. The cook hesitated, neither nodding nor shaking his head.
"Don't be polite, I enjoy making these! It's troublesome when no one eats them." She told the cook to rest early. She, however, was a bit hungry and decided to cook herself a bowl of noodles. While cooking, she heard a noise from the living room. When she peeked outside, she was surprised to find that Jayson had returned.
Jayson entered the living room and noticed her right away, quickly sizing her up. Seeing that he seemed to have had a bit to drink, Sidney, out of courtesy, asked, "Want to get something to eat before bed?"
She had just asked casually, but to her surprise, Jayson nodded and agreed. This was completely unexpected.
