Chapter 25
"Daddy, when are you coming home?" Tommy pressed his face against the windowsill, his eyes fixed longingly on the road leading out of the village.
Emily Johnson sat on the rickety oxcart, the curious gazes of the village women flickering toward her every now and then.
"Emily, what are you going to town for? Something special?" Mrs. Lee squinted, her tone laced with playful teasing.
Emily tightened her grip on the cloth bundle in her arms and smiled faintly. "Just some everyday necessities."
"Oh, I hear the city's bustling these days. You're not thinking of going back, are you?" another woman chimed in, deliberately raising her voice to draw attention.
Emily was used to these veiled remarks. Ever since she married into the village, the gossip had never stopped.
"Yes, it's been years since I visited my parents. I should check on them," she replied calmly. "I'm also going to the post office to see if they've sent any packages."
The women's expressions shifted instantly. Everyone knew Emily's family often sent valuable goods—just last month, she had received a large parcel of brown sugar and fabric.
Not long after the oxcart left the village, shocking news spread like wildfire: Emily was abandoning her two children to return to the city!
"Disaster!" Patricia Stone barged into the brigade office, breathless. "Dad, Emily packed a suitcase and ran off!"
John Stone Sr. nearly dropped his pipe. "What did you say?"
"It's true! The whole village saw her get on the oxcart with a big suitcase!" Patricia slapped her thigh. "I always said you couldn't trust a city girl!"
Without another word, John stormed toward his third son's house, Patricia trailing behind, already relishing the drama.
Meanwhile, David carefully hid the candy his mother had given him under the bed. Tommy sat on the doorstep, staring at the gate.
"Brother, when will Mommy be back?"
"Soon," David said, patting his little brother's head, though he wasn't so sure himself.
Suddenly, the gate burst open.
"Grandpa!" The boys jumped up in surprise.
John's face was dark with anger. "Where's your mother?"
"Mom went to town to get a package," David said, gripping Tommy's hand tightly.
Patricia huffed as she caught up. "Dad, don't listen to them! Emily ran away!"
"That's not true!" David's eyes welled with tears. "Mom would never leave us!"
Tommy burst into loud sobs, his face turning red. "Mommy... Mommy..."
"Enough!" John's roar made Patricia shrink back.
The yard was filled with nothing but the children's heart-wrenching cries. John looked at his grandsons, his mind in turmoil. With his third son away, what would they do if Emily really was gone?