Chapter 27 — After Divorce, We Learn to Love Again

Seven years ago today... It was the twenty-ninth day of December seven years ago. The two were born in a small villa in the northern suburbs of city A. There was no hospital. There is no doctor. Only Aunt Chu, Thanh Hoa and I were in so much pain that we almost fainted. Seven years later. The two of them studied in first grade at the best international school in Tinh city. An An's math has been studied up to the third grade curriculum. Lac Lac is the youngest player on the school soccer team. That night, I organized a small birthday party at home for the two of us. Invite a few close friends from class over. The cake was chosen by Lac Lac. Chocolate flavor. On the top of the cake, use fresh cream to write the words:

"Happy 7th birthday to An An and Lac Lac."

The decoration on the side was chosen by An An. A cat made of coated sugar. In the living room, children ran back and forth. Laughter echoed throughout the house. Aunt Chu and Thanh Hoa were busy bringing food from the kitchen. I stood next to the children. Holding a glass of fruit juice in hand. Right at that moment. The doorbell rang.

"Mom, let me open the door!"

Lac Lac rushed out quickly. Co Tram Chu stood outside the door. Neat vest. Neat tie. In his hands he carried two large gift bags. One bag is a birthday gift for An An. One bag is a gift from Lac Lac. Lac Lac screamed. I rushed forward. Hugging Co Tram Chu's leg tightly. An An raised her head from the sofa. Saw someone standing at the door. The corners of the lips curled slightly. Then he bowed his head again and continued to assemble his LEGO set. Pretend like you don't notice. But about thirty seconds later. I put down the LEGO set. Slowly step forward.

"Dad is here."

"Happy birthday baby."

"Thank you, dad."

An An held out her hand. Not to receive gifts. I want to shake hands. Co Tram Chu looked at that tiny hand. Then slowly squat down. Hold my child's hand. An An's hands are very small. Fits neatly in the palm of your hand.

"Daddy's arms are still too big."

An An seriously commented. Co Tram Chu burst out laughing.

"I still remember."

"I remember everything."

That's right, this baby. I stepped forward.

"Why did you come?"

"Today is not the day I get to visit my child."

"I texted you."

"But you didn't answer."

I opened my phone to look again. There is indeed an unread message.

"Today is your birthday. Can I come?"

The message was sent at nine o'clock in the morning. It is six o'clock in the evening. He waited nine hours. Can't wait for an answer. But still come. He walked in. The birthday party continues. When it was time to blow out the candles, An An and Lac Lac stood in front of the cake. Lac Lac shouted loudly. An An closed her eyes and clasped her hands in front of her chest. Lac Lac also closed his eyes, his lips moved, not knowing what he was mumbling.

"Done!"

The two of them opened their eyes at the same time and blew out the seven candles together.

"What do you two wish for?"

Lac Lac blurted out:

"I want a new pair of soccer shoes!"

An An did not speak.

"What about An An?"

"Can't say."

"If you say it out loud, it won't be funny anymore."

Having finished speaking, she returned to the sofa and continued to build the LEGO set. After the birthday party ended, the classmates were picked up by their parents one by one. The living room gradually became quiet. Lac Lac sat on the carpet playing with a new gift — a remote-controlled racing car given to him by Co Tram Chu. An An sat reading a book. I cleaned up the battlefield after the party. Co Tram Chu helped me wash the dishes. That scene... So normal. Jar So often that I have to remind myself... That's not my everyday life. After washing the dishes, he dried his hands. The two of us stood in the kitchen, between us was an island table.

"It's time for you to go home, isn't it?"

"I have an early flight tomorrow morning."

"Be careful on the road."

He turned and walked out the door. While passing by the living room, An An suddenly looked up from her book. He stopped.

"Dad, do you want to know what my wish is?"

"Didn't you say that if you say it out loud it won't be right?"

An An closed the book.

"My wish is..."

"I hope you can stay a little closer to us."

The living room suddenly became quiet. Lac Lac's control car still made a buzzing sound, running around on the floor. Co Tram Chu squatted down, looking at An An's eye level.

"Do you want dad to be closer?"

"So dad won't have to fly to visit us every time."

"Flying is very tiring."

"Every time Dad comes, there are dark circles under his eyes."

"Lac Lac also thinks so."

"It's just that she's too shy to say it."

Behind him, Lac Lac shook his head frantically, his face red. Co Tram Chu looked at An An. Then looked at Lac Lac. Finally turned his head to look at me. I leaned against the kitchen door frame, still holding the dish towel in my hand.

"I also heard your thoughts."

I spoke up.

"What about you?"

"Do you want me closer?"

The towel in my hand tightened a little. An An and Lac Lac both looked at me. Plus Co Tram Chu's eyes. Six eyes.