bChapter /bb361 /b

    He checked the mailbox, making sure there was nothing but the postcards and snacks he’d left earlier. Then he headed back to his ce next door,

    “Dad‘ why are you sote? Where’s Mom?” Jacob had been sitting on the couch, munching snacks to fill his stomach. He heard the noise, hopped off the couch, and ran to Brian.

    “Your mom’s gone home. Hungry? I’ll heat up your food. Once you’ve eaten, take the drawings you’ve done these past few days and go next door. Ask your mom to check them for you.” Brian lifted Jacob and walked inside as he spoke.

    Jacob’s eyes had dimmed when he saw that Brian was alone. Now, they lit up instantly. “Dad, I can go see Mom?”

    “Yep, but don’t stay too long.” Brian was counting on Jacob to do a little spying for him.

    He carried Jacob into the kitchen. He heated up the food while telling Jacob all the things he needed to doter.

    Jacob didn’t quite get it, but he nodded along. Anything to see Jessica sooner.

    Half an hourter, Jessica had just finished washing up and changed into her loungewear. She was about to take a nap when she heard a knock at the

    door.

    She opened it and saw Jacob standing alone outside, holding a sketchbook.

    “Mom, these are the drawings I’ve done over the past few days. Can you check if they’re good?” As soon as Jacob saw herb, /bhis eyes filled with expectation and he held up the book in his hand.

    Jessica couldn’t bear to refuse. She reached out to take it and stepped aside to let him in.

    “They’re not bad. The use of color is bold, but the overall tone isn’t harmonious. You need more practice.” Jessica flipped through each of the drawings andmented seriously.

    “Okay, Mom. I’ll keep trying.” Jacob nodded obediently and even promised Jessica.

    His attitude toward learning was so good that Jessica couldn’t find a single thing to criticize.

    She nodded, took Jacob to the couch, and spread the sketchbook out in front of him. Then she started going through his weaknesses one by one, exining how he could improveter on.

    Jacob listened very carefully.

    They stayed like that–one teaching and the one learning–in harmony for over half an hour.

    When Jessica yawned behind her hand for the second time, Jacob, who was paying attention to her, was quick to yawn too.

    “Mom, I’m really sleepy. I want to go home and sleep. Can I learn more next time?” he asked.

    It had been a long time since Jacob had acted this cute with her. Jessica couldn’t say no.

    “Sure. I’m a bit isleepy /iitoo/i.” Jessica closed the sketchbook, handed it back to Jacob, and got up to bsee /bhim bout/b.

    Jacob followed along obediently. They were already at the door when he suddenly remembered what bBrian /bbad told him. He looked up and askedb, /b“Mom, are you still mad at Dad?”

    Jessica paused. Then she realized Brian must have specifically told Jacob to ask. She pressed her lips together.

    She said, “No, I’m not. Go tell iyour /idad to stop overthinking things that baren’t /bthere. Right now, all I want biis /i/bbto /bsafely bhave /bbyour /bbbrothers /bor bsisters/bb./bb” /b

    She thought to herself, ‘So he should stop being so jealous. Wesley and I arepletely innocent. I breally /bbdon’t /bbwant /bba /bbrepeat /bbof /bbtoday’s /bbawkward /bbscene /b

    Jacob wanted to ask what Brian had been imagining. But seeing Jessica’s clearly unamused expression, he just nodded bobediently/b.

    “Okay. Mom, I’ll remember.” He said goodbye to Jessica, then opened the door, and went into the next apartment.

    Jessica watched him go inside. Then suddenly she met Brian’s intense gaze.

    Both froze for a second.

    Jessica looked away first and shut the door.

    bAD /b