When the engine was already running, it seemed to occur to him that we still existed.
"Find a place to wait it out," he said offhandedly. "I'll drop Rain off and come back for you."
"Vivian, if you want to take this out on me, fine. But don't punish Ian for it!"
I glanced into the back seat. It was crammed full of the gifts he'd bought Rain, no room left for anyone else.
Boxes I couldn't even count, each one wrapped to perfection.
I'd seen them in his study once, every single one wrapped slowly and carefully by his own hands.
Seven years of marriage. Ian was five.
The only gift my son and I had ever received was a music box Rain hadn't wanted.
The car peeled away, leaving nothing behind but exhaust fumes.
Soaked to the skin, I had no choice but to hurry Ian into a convenience store by the road, the two of us a sorry sight.
Chewing on a warm rice ball, I asked suddenly, "Would you be okay starting preschool in a new city, sweetheart?"
He didn't answer right away. Instead he asked, "Will Daddy come too?"
I shook my head. Ian gave a small, uncertain nod.
So I pulled out my phone and accepted the transfer.
If the marriage was beyond saving.
Then maybe letting go was the better choice.
By the time the downpour eased and the sun blazed back out, Vivian still hadn't come for us.
I was used to him breaking his word. I didn't bother waiting any longer and just hailed a cab home with Ian.
The second we stepped inside, Ian's face changed.
He didn't even stop to take off his shoes. He bolted straight to the trash can and snatched up the empty box inside.
"Mom, my limited-edition figure is gone..."
My son's eyes went red in an instant, staring at the empty box, on the verge of tears.
My stomach dropped. One person came to mind immediately.
When I called Vivian, he admitted it without hesitation.
"I took it. Tell me how much it cost and I'll send you the money."
"Chloe Whitlock kept pestering Rain for that one and Rain couldn't say no. Cut her some slack."
I almost laughed in disbelief. Through gritted teeth, I said, "You think this is about money?"
"That gift was something my mom bought for Ian. Who gave you the right to just hand it off to someone else?"
My mother is an illiterate woman from the country who doesn't even know how to ride the subway.
But because Ian once said he liked it, she snuck out on her own and asked around until she found the address of the mall.
A hundred-degree day, six hours in line under a brutal sun, just to barely snag this one.
Ian had cried when he got it.
But Vivian only said, light as air, "I'll cover whatever your mom paid as a shopping fee. Happy now?"
"Stop making a scene. Chloe's about to cut the cake. Don't ruin her birthday."
I was about to snap back when Rain cut in, sharp and impatient. "Katherine, I'll pay double, all right? Stop getting on his nerves."
"His experiments haven't been going well lately. He's already worked up over it!"
"It took me forever to cook him soup and porridge just to settle him down. Can you please not set him off again?"
The call clicked dead.
But I couldn't unhear his last words. "There, there. Don't be upset."
After getting Ian settled, I hailed a cab straight to the Whitlock house.
Through the window, I could see Vivian and Rain standing on either side of Chloe, watching over her as she made her wish.
Someone nearby asked her what she'd wished for.
Chloe smiled sweetly and pulled Vivian's and Rain's hands together.
"I wish Uncle Vivian and Auntie would be together forever, and stay by my side forever!"
The room erupted in teasing cheers. Rain's face flushed scarlet in an instant.
Vivian cleared his throat twice, stealing a glance at her.
Even as I shoved the door open with a bang, their clasped hands never came apart.
The moment they saw me storm in, everyone fell silent.
Vivian instinctively pulled Rain behind him, glaring at me with cold eyes.
