ocean-life Chapter 11: She Was at Somewhere Safe and Warm
Chapter 11: She Was at Somewhere Safe and Warm
Chapter 11: She Was at Somewhere Safe and Warm
After finishing their supper, Leslie insisted on washing the dishes and the wok. She refused when Calix said the items could be left to Aunt Wendy tomorrow.
"Do you want her to wonder why there're two sets of cutleries and rice bowls?"
Leslie's question made Calix feel silly of himself. He had momentarily forgotten that only he could see her right now.
Surely, Aunt Wendy would ask if there was any guest who came late at night. Calix could lie about it but, he didn't want to.
"...yes, just wash them. Go."
Sighing like an old man, Calix waved one hand, telling Leslie to continue what she wanted to do. Then, he randomly scratched the back of his neck.
Leslie held back from laughing. She gathered the bowls and cutleries before heading to the sink. Along the way, she grabbed the wok and spatula used by Calix.
Soon, water fell from the faucet, submerging everything. Leslie made sure the cutleries, rice bowl and wok were cleaned thoroughly before placing them on the draining rack. The last step was wiping the sink counter.
"I dislike leaving dirty dishes overnight," said Leslie, recalling what she usually did in her previous life, "I prefer my sink empty of anything before going to bed."
Leslie loved to keep everything as neat as possible. She taught Calliope to tidy up her toys after playing and also to make her bed in the morning.
Instead of giving orders, Leslie tried to lead by example. She often started by asking Calliope if the little one wanted to give a helping hand to her mom.
Leslie hoped to instill good behavior in Calliope from a young age. Even though she was a child without a father, it didn't mean she couldn't grow up to be a good person.
Calix was standing next to the kitchen island as he watched Leslie washing the dishes. Her words were spoken softly yet, they were audible enough to reach him.
"Well... my grandma taught me the same," Calix smiled sheepishly, "It's just I'm too lazy to wash the dishes."
Calix didn't mind cooking but, not washing the pots and pans. He usually left them to the maids. The most he would do was put them inside the dishwasher.
"It's okay. If one does the cooking, the other should do the washing."
Calix blankly nodded. He silently looked at Leslie who was wiping her damp hands with a clean towel.
That... aside from him, other people would see the towel moved in the air, right?
Sigh, Calix wondered when rumors about his home being haunted would spread.
Leslie was unsure what would happen during the dinner gathering but, she hoped to get more knowledge as well as Charlene's memories.
Because Charlene and the Li family were not important characters, the novel only had tiny bits of information. Perhaps, they would gain some influence in the later Chapters following the marriage deal yet, Leslie hadn't reached those parts.
"Hurm, let's wait for tomorrow."
Shrugging, Leslie told herself to take it easy for the rest of the night. Nothing good would come out if she let herself be in distress.
Glancing around the spacious bedroom, Leslie found Mimo lying on the mattress, right next to Charlene's body.
"Mimo, is Poppy still in a good state?"
Leslie's question quietly echoed inside the bedroom. She slowly approached the bed as the thought of her daughter lingered in her mind.
Mimo jumped to its feet. Its black beady eyes were staring back at Leslie. The fox toy didn't have a mouth but, she felt as if it was smiling to her.
|Poppy is sleeping somewhere safe and warm.|
The light in Leslie's eyes softened. Bending down, she picked Mimo up and gently cradled it in her arms.
"I pray that she'll always be safe and sound until I find her again."
Mimo lifted up both of its front paws. It softly touched Leslie's arms.
|We'll find Poppy, Leslie. I miss her too. I want to play with her again.|
Among all of Calliope's toys, she cherished Mimo the most because it was her only link with her deceased father. Perhaps, it was the reason why Mimo also was so attached to Calliope.
Leslie said nothing anymore yet, the smile on her lips carried her hope. With a slight tilt of her chin, she placed her gaze on the closed French windows.
The moon was bright, beaming all over the night sky.
The spring night air was cool yet refreshing, bringing hope for a new beginning.
This was a new world to her yet, somewhere, her little daughter was kept safe.
For now, it was enough.