The Ghost in My House Was Me - Chapter 6: Chapter 6
You are reading The Ghost in My House Was Me, Chapter 6: Chapter 6. Read more chapters of The Ghost in My House Was Me.
We step out. Kevin reaches for my hand, but I pull away. His face flushes with embarrassment, though he stays silent.
Tommy bounds ahead of us, cheerful as ever.
He's been in high spirits the whole ride—his dad has "forgiven" me, after all. Never mind whether I wanted that forgiveness.
I remember the days when it was just me taking care of him. Tommy would mope and sulk whenever Kevin wasn't around. Back then, I thought he just wanted a real family—so I swallowed my pride and played nice with Kevin, all to see him smile.
But now I realize—he only ever wanted his father.
I failed. Spectacularly.
I'll admit it.
Tommy stops short in front of the hotpot place.
A "For Rent" sign hangs crooked on the door.
Three months. That's all it took for this place to go from packed to abandoned.
Time really works miracles.
A bitter laugh escapes me.
Kevin's expression sours. Tommy's lips tremble, tears welling up.
Kevin's pride stings. He snaps at Tommy, sharp and cold.
"Why the tears? You think this is the only hotpot joint in the whole damn city?"
What Kevin doesn't get is—A-City has plenty of hotpot spots. There are three within walking distance of our place. But this one? This was the one.
The one Tommy had his heart set on.
So even if we stuffed ourselves at every other restaurant in town, there'd still be that ache—the regret of not coming sooner.
Just like our marriage.
I waited. He kept putting it off.
One disappointment too many, and the place shut down for good.
Now he's pounding on the door.
But the inside's already hollow.
Tommy bounds ahead of us, cheerful as ever.
He's been in high spirits the whole ride—his dad has "forgiven" me, after all. Never mind whether I wanted that forgiveness.
I remember the days when it was just me taking care of him. Tommy would mope and sulk whenever Kevin wasn't around. Back then, I thought he just wanted a real family—so I swallowed my pride and played nice with Kevin, all to see him smile.
But now I realize—he only ever wanted his father.
I failed. Spectacularly.
I'll admit it.
Tommy stops short in front of the hotpot place.
A "For Rent" sign hangs crooked on the door.
Three months. That's all it took for this place to go from packed to abandoned.
Time really works miracles.
A bitter laugh escapes me.
Kevin's expression sours. Tommy's lips tremble, tears welling up.
Kevin's pride stings. He snaps at Tommy, sharp and cold.
"Why the tears? You think this is the only hotpot joint in the whole damn city?"
What Kevin doesn't get is—A-City has plenty of hotpot spots. There are three within walking distance of our place. But this one? This was the one.
The one Tommy had his heart set on.
So even if we stuffed ourselves at every other restaurant in town, there'd still be that ache—the regret of not coming sooner.
Just like our marriage.
I waited. He kept putting it off.
One disappointment too many, and the place shut down for good.
Now he's pounding on the door.
But the inside's already hollow.
End of The Ghost in My House Was Me Chapter 6. Continue reading Chapter 7 or return to The Ghost in My House Was Me book page.