Chapter 88
1000words
I heaved a sigh. 'Weren't we a bit harsh on him? He's still brilliant in his school work and he's learning a lot on his computer. Can we just leave him with his desktop?'
'Arrgggghhh!' Ethan groaned.
'Please, baby. You can take the other things away, but I think we could at least leave him with something.'
'Okay, fine. I'll leave him with his desktop. Only.'
'Okay.'
After half an hour, Ethan came back with EJ's stuff. Security was instructed to air out the bouncing castle and place it into the storeroom.
I was delivering the clean and folded laundry to the bedrooms. I walked passed EJ's room and heard him talking with Evan.
'I'm very sorry for what I did at school. It's just that other kids are teasing me and calling me all sort of names, so I fight back.'
'Have you told the teacher?'
'I did but she keeps telling me to ignore them. I can't just ignore them when they get all up in my face and tease me about being rich. Calling me 'Billionaire's King', 'Richy Rich Baby', 'Gold Spoon Head', and all sort of other names.'
'EJ, listen to me. Your teacher is right. You should ignore them because they're only looking for attention and you're giving it to them. I had the same experience when I was your age, and you know what I did?'
'What Evs?'
'I was nicer to them, especially the bullies. I brought them toys and cupcakes and chocolate and sweets and candies. I even got Mom to take all of us to a water park. The next day, they became my best friends and the bullying stopped.'
'So you're telling me I should buy candies for the guys?'
'No. I'm telling you that sometimes it's wise to give a peace offering. Kill them with kindness.'
'Not a bad idea. What should I tell Mom?'
'Tell mom that your class is having a fun day and you have to bring two boxes of whatever you chose to the event.'
'Okay. I'll go tell her now!'
I ran back to my bedroom. Ethan was signing some papers at his desk. I was putting the clothes away when EJ barged into the room.
'How many times do I have to tell you to knock,' Ethan immediately snapped at him, making him freeze where he stood.
'Sorry Dad. I came to tell Mommy something.'
I gave him a sly smile. 'Yes baby?'
'Mom, the classroom is having a fun day tomorrow and I have to bring two boxes of cupcakes.'
'Is that so? How come Mrs. Powells didn't give you a note?' I toyed with him, just to hear the clever excuse he'd come up with.
'Because she didn't have paper, so she said we should just tell our parents.'
'Okay. Two boxes of cupcakes you said?'
'Yes.'
'I'll drop them off for her tomorrow after I pick them up.'
'No! I was hoping I could go get it with you. There's a new flavor out and I wanna try it, but I can't remember the name of it. If I see it, I'll know.'
Evan had been coaching my poor child how to lie. I shook my head and gave him a big hug nevertheless. I knew what it was like to be bullied.
The next morning, after he was dressed for school, we headed to the supermarket where I bought two boxes of cupcakes, of his choice, then drove him to school.
'Have a nice day baby,' I said, kissing his small cheeks.
'Thanks Mommy, and same to you. I love you,' he said, taking off his seat belt and getting out, looking like a little boss.
I handed him the boxes of cupcakes, which he easily carried to his classroom.
That afternoon, when I picked him up, he had two children by his side.
'Mom, this is Jack and Alex. They're my new friends,' he said with a big smile.
Emma's POV
I watched my family sitting around the dinner table, eating the food I prepared. Ethan was at the head table, eating away at his delicious juicy steak. Evan was eating slowly because he was texting on his phone, which he hid underneath the table so I wouldn't notice. Emily was looking at the food carefully and always asking if it was going to make her fat or if it was full of calories. EJ was eating like the good boy he ought to be. His behavior had changed around for the better. He had made friends with everyone in his classroom and we had no more bad reports about his temper.
I couldn't help but look at what I'd accomplished with the man of my dreams. Never had I thought I'd be here in life, sitting in a mansion around a huge dinner table with my own family. Everyone in the foster homes and group homes told me I was worthless and I'd amount to nothing in life. No one loved me, cared for me or protected me-- even my parents deserted me.
I wished I could see all of those doubters now and show them that I did amount to something. I amounted to happiness, peace and tranquility. I amounted to a life that was beyond words, that I was fond of, and a life that I'd never change. There were obstacles along the way, obstacles that almost tore away this sight before my eyes. I wouldn't have had all of this if I'd given up and walked permanently away from Ethan without looking back.
'Mommy, can I go up my room and play now?' EJ asked, shaking me from the admiration of my family.
I smiled at him, seeing he had cleaned his plate. I allowed him to leave the table.
'Evan, stop texting and eat your food,' I said.
He gave me a 'how did you know?' look but put away his phone and continued eating.
