Divorce Time 29
Sweet-faced and adorable, Sally’s looks made everyone want to hug and kiss her on sight. She was far from unattractive or repulsive. Growing up, she always gained compliments.
So, when she heard someone say something so hurtful for the first time, Sally burst into tears, clinging tighter to Charlene.
Caught in a comforting embrace, Charlene reassured her, “Oh, Sally, you’re not disgusting. You’re beautiful and charming. Don’t you see that yourself?”
Upon hearing that, Sally’s mood lifted. She hadn’t responded when Jasmine felt her eyes well up with tears after noticing Charlene still holding Sally and praising her. “You…I, I don’t like you anymore. I don’t want you to be my mom!” With that, Jasmine attempted to run away, but Charlene quickly pulled her back.
Charlene was caught off guard by the harsh words. Although she was upset, she didn’t want to scold Jasmine in public and embarrass
her.
Holding her close, Charlene kissed her and said softly, “Let’s not be angry now…”
Jasmine was fuming, but feeling Charlene’s kiss, she felt anger halved and her heart filled with more grievance. She suddenly cried, “Then… you can’t hug her anymore or say she’s cute!”
Charlene realized Jasmine was jealous. It was funny to her. Jasmine acted like she didn’t want Charlene as her mom, but seeing someone else getting her affection was unbearable.
Charlene didn’t promise anything but kissed Jasmine again to soothe her, distancing both children from the crowd.
Seizing the moment, Jasmine pushed Sally out of Charlene’s embrace.
Sally was good-natured. Though she was fond of Charlene, she didn’t have the same possessiveness over her. And Jasmine seemed quite intimidating, making Sally afraid.
Holding Jasmine, Charlene spoke gently, “Minnie, I know you think you’re cool, and that’s wonderful. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Some might love a fierce, tomboyish charm, while others prefer sweetness and gentleness. You can’t insult others because their taste differs from yours. We should respect everyone’s preferences and aesthetics, okay?”
Charlene knew her daughter was exceptionally bright. What might confuse other children was easy for Jasmine.
Jasmine understood. She knew her behavior was wrong but couldn’t bear to see Charlene being affectionate with other kids.
lently pouting, Charlene tenderly wiped her tears with a handkerchief. “Making mistakes is okay as long as we learn from them. But we can’t talk to people like that again, okay?”
Feeling Charlene’s kindness, Jasmine’s mood lifted, and she nodded and sniffled, “I see.”
Charlene smiled, kissed her cheek, and addressed Sally, “Sally, this is Minnie, my daughter. She realizes she was wrong. Can you forgive her?”
Though Sally was initially wary of Jasmine, Charlene’s gentleness won her over, and she nodded obediently, “Sure, I can forgive her.” “Thank you, Sally,” Charlene said with a smile, then turned to her daughter, “Minnie, what should you say?” Jasmine looked up from Charlene’s embrace, “I’m sorry.”
Blushing, Sally replied shyly, “It’s… it’s okay.”
With the issue resolved, Charlene sighed with relief as she led the two children to the classroom.
The teacher took Sally away, and Charlene knelt to her daughter, speaking gently, “All is well now. Shall we go into the classroom?”
Unfazed by the earlier commotion or that she had been the center of attention for all the wrong reasons, Jasmine wasn’t embarrassed or too shy to enter the classroom.