Chapter 312
Sherry let out a sigh. “Christian’s at his mom’s place.”
His mother’s cancer had come back, and it was pretty serious, so he’d gone to stay with her at her family’s home, Sherry was supposed to be checking into their hotel, but white driving there, she happened to spot Teresa walking on the sidewalk.
“Christian’s heading to the hotel later, though,” Sherry
Just then, Sherry’s phone buzzed. It was Christian. She picked “I haven’t even made it to the hotel yet. Guess who I just ran into? Teresa. Yeah, Teresa Johnston. Want to swing by? I’m at…”
“Oh, okay. Got it,” Sherry said before hanging up. Then she explained to Teresa that Christian couldn’t come because he was with his mom. Anyway, it wasn’t a good time. Teresa totally got it. Christian had his hands full taking care of his mom.
“Mike, why don’t you go make Sherry a cup of coffee?” Teresa asked.
“Aye, aye, Captain.” Michael spun around and darted toward the kitchen.
Sherry chuckled. “Mike knows how to make coffee?”
Teresa beamed with pride. “He makes it even better than I do! He can even do latte art, you know.”
“Wow, Mike’s such a genius,” Sherry said, impressed. “He knows so much for such a little guy.”
“He gets it from his mom. That’s why he’s always been so sharp,” Teresa said with a playful wink. “By the way, Sherry, I need to ask you for a favor.”
Teresa had been stressing about Michael’s preschool’s family sports day tomorrow. Being pregnant, there was no way she could do intense exercises. Teresa had been thinking about telling Ivy about having a child and asking for her help. Luckily, Sherry had shown up.
So, Teresa fibbed a little. “I just got my period. And besides, I’ve never been the athletic type, you know? I can’t do any running.”
“Say no more,” Sherry said right away. “I’ll swing
“Thanks so much, Sherry,” Teresa said gratefully.
tomorrow morning and be your stand–in.”
“I should be thanking you, Teresa. Thank you for not telling Mr. Lynn about Mike,” Sherry said.
Worry flickered in her eyes, and she gave a small, bitter laugh. “Otherwise, who knows what Mr. Lynn would do to Christian? He’s already having a tough time. And his mom…” Sherry sighed. “I just don’t know how much longer she can hold on.”
Teresa stayed quiet, her expression unreadable. Once Sherry had poured out everything, Teresa finally said, “Just… don’t tell anyone else I’m here. And thanks for stepping in for me with Mike.”
“Come on, what are friends for? Don’t you worry about a thing,” Sherry said. “I won’t tell a soul you’re in Everport. Not even Miriam.”
Sherry didn’t stick around long and left soon after. Teresa tidied up the coffee table. Michael asked, “Where’s my Children’s Day present, Mom?”
“You’ll get it tomorrow morning. It’s a surprise,” Teresa told him with a smile.
“What kind of surprise?” Michael pressed, his eyes wide. “Is it a toy car? Or sneakers? Or maybe roller skates?”
“You’ll just have to guess,” Teresa teased. “Get to bed early tonight, and if you’re up with the sun, you’ll see what it is.”
“Okay,” Michael said with a little sigh. With Teresa’s gentle voice tellin
him a bedtime story, Michael quickly drifted off to sleep.
After Michael was sound asleep, Teresa placed two gifts by his pillow, then tiptoed out, carefully closing the door behind her.
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1:18 FT1, 23 May
Chapter 312
Early the next morning, Michael woke up before seven. He stretched, spotted the gifts by his pillow, and grabbed them eagerly.
Teresa was up too. She opened his bedroom door and saw him playing with the toy car in his hands.
“Happy Children’s Day, sweetheart,” Teresa said, walking over to him..
“Mom, is this the surprise you were talking about?” Michael asked.
