“Photos, photos,” Paul muttered, unable to recognize who was before him.
Josie stepped forward, noticing a stack of documents in the red box. Below them were various trinkets, and even a medical license. She was somewhat taken aback, as she remembered leaving these items in Mason Garden back in Wavery.
The last time she saw them was when she was finalizing her divorce from Dexter.
Why are they here?
Paul continued to mutter about a photo. Josie grabbed his hand. “What photo? Tell me about it.”
“A photo of Jo with her hair braided,” Paul replied very seriously. “I can’t lose it…”
Josie paused. She roughly knew which photo Paul was referring to. She took out her phone, removed the phone case, and there it was, the tiny photo hidden underneath. Ever since she left two years ago, she had always carried it with her.
“Is this the one?” she asked, spreading it open in her palm.
Paul’s eyes lit up as he immediately grabbed the photo, clutching it tightly in his hand. “It’s Jo. I’ve found her!”
Afterward, he looked up, only to see Josie, whose face was full of sorrow. He froze. “Are you… Are you Jo?”
Even though it was a question, it nearly brought Josie to tears. “Do you recognize me now?”
Even though she knew that Paul’s moments of lucidity were fleeting, she still held onto a sliver of hope. She grasped Paul’s hand. “It’s me, Jo from the photo. Do you recognize me?”
Paul glanced at the photo, then back at her, struggling to recognize her. He then tightly gripped her hand. “Jo, have you returned from university for the holidays?”
Josie’s expression froze on her face. She took a deep breath, realizing something she should have known long ago.
“Yeah, I’m back for the holidays. I can spend quality time with you.”
“With me? Do you have enough money? How about you go on a trip? If you don’t have enough, I’ll give you some more.” Paul spoke cautiously, fearful of being overheard. “I’ve been secretly working an extra job without telling your mother. I haven’t handed in this salary. It’s all for you.”
His face was filled with tenderness.
Josie was on the verge of tears again. “Thank you, Pop.”
Paul was almost entranced as he gazed at her face, his eyes slightly open. “Why do you look so pale? Have you been overworking yourself at school?”
Josie forced out a smile. “A little. Pop, what would you do if someone hurt me?”
Paul said sternly, “Of course, I would fight for you. Who is it? Who hurt you? Is it that boyfriend you’ve been talking about? I’ve said it before, he’s not from our world! I’ll go find him.”
At least, he still remembers Morgan. Josie was caught between laughter and tears. She bent down to hug Paul. “So, if anyone dares to bully you, I’ll fight them to the end as well.”
Paul wore a look of bewilderment. Josie pulled out a tissue, gently wiping his eyes and the corners of his mouth, before slowly asking, “Pop, do you think those without mothers are pitiful?”
Josie hadn’t expected him to respond, yet he seriously said, “They are.”
“I, too, have no mother, yet I don’t feel sorry for myself.”
For the majority of her life, she had not experienced maternal love. Even after learning that Claudia was her mother, she had no intention of interacting with her much.
Paul laughed and teased her for being forgetful, “That’s because I played the roles of both father and mother, have you forgotten?”
Josie smiled, then suddenly remembered that Dexter had lost his father at a very young age. At the same time, he was also without a mother, with only his grandfather providing him with boundless love.
Now, his grandfather had also passed away.
