Chapter 1224: A Grave (part two)

"She is Leena, my wife. I brought her here so you can meet her. We weren't able to inform you when we got married since we were in a hurry." Kevin shot Leena a warm gaze and smiled. He knew that Leena was not like other wealthy ladies. Thus, he was sure that Leena would not hate this place. That was why he brought her along.

"Hello, Mamie. Nice to meet you." Leena greeted the old lady with delight. Her curiosity about Kevin's relationship with the old woman was eating her but she didn't ask. She was sure that Kevin would tell her everything anyway since he brought her here.

"Nice to meet you, Leena! How beautiful you are!" Mamie took Leena's hand kindly and looked at her lovingly.

"Thank you for your compliment." In reaction, Leena said in a shy tone and bowed her head.

"Let's go in first." It was Kevin who broke the exchange of pleasantries between Mamie and his wife. He couldn't be happier that Mamie seemed to like Leena almost instantly.

"Oh! Right! I'm so happy that I forgot to let you in. Why do you bring so many presents every time you come?" Mamie grumbled at Kevin and took over what he had in his hand for fear that he would be too tired.

"It's not easy for me to see you, so I must bring what you need." Kevin knew that she didn't usually go downtown and couldn't afford to buy expensive things. Thus, he bought what she needed every time he went to see her. He felt better seeing her okay.

Alas! I actually don't need so much stuff since I live alone. I haven't used up what you bought me last year. There would have been more left of it if I didn't give some to my neighbors. Don't buy me anything next time. It is tiring to bring so much stuff," scolded Mamie as she feigned anger. However, it was impossible to hide how much she loved Kevin with the way she looked at the guy.

"It's okay. As long as you are happy, I am not tired," Kevin replied brightly. He was still smiling when he gazed around the shabby room. His smile melted in an instant when his sight landed on old furniture. He felt sad with the thought that Mamie lived with these things. He had proposed to replace the furniture there every time he visited, but Mamie declined. Her explanation was that the pieces of furniture there were her memories and she had grown to love them.

"You silly boy! How can you not be tired? Go and show Leena around. I'll cook for you." Mamie had the frankness and simplicity of rural women. It wasn't even difficult to see how warm-hearted she was with just the way she talked.

Mamie, let me help you!" came Leena's voice as soon as she heard about cooking. Adorable as she was, she wanted to help.

"Oh, no. You stay with Kevin. This is the countryside and cooking in the country is not the same as cooking in the city," explained Mamie as she patted Leena's hand. She was happy that Leena didn't hate her humble home. Just looking at Leena's tender and delicate hands already gave her the hint that Leena wasn't just an ordinary person. It was the reason why she didn't dare ask her to help with cooking.

"Really? Is there any difference?" Leena asked doubtfully and then turned to Kevin. She was hoping for him to tell her more about what Mamie meant.

In reaction, Kevin pinched her high nose and thought that she was very lovely and charming at the moment. Then he said,

Mamie is right. Cooking in the countryside is about making a fire. You don't know how to make a fire, do you? How about you help me instead?"

"Help you?" Puzzled, Leena's eyebrows furrowed as she asked. She didn't think she understood what Kevin said.

"A lot of things are broken in this yard. I want to fix them. Do you mind passing me the tools as I work?" Fixing the tiny knick-knacks for Mamie had been a yearly duty for Kevin. He did these things yearly. There was no man in Mamie's family so many things were usually left undone.

"Kevin! Every time you come, you have to help me. I'm so embarrassed." Mamie said a bit shamefully. She was too old to do many things and it left with no choice but just to let Kevin do as he wanted.

"Oh God! Mamie, stop being polite to me! I'm your son, and that's what I should do." The man tried to sound casual but his eyes gave his real feeling out. He suddenly remembered how his dead comrade lay in his arms during a battle. It was heartbreaking and he wasn't able to control his eyes from turning a bit red.

"I know you are my son. Oh dear! It's already noon, right? You must be hungry. I'll cook for you." Mamie was sad too. Thus, she hurried to walk away and just reasoned that she should cook. Her sadness was suddenly occupying the whole house and Leena could feel it from where she stood.

"Are you all right?" Leena asked Kevin worriedly. She had been watching him since this morning and still, she didn't have a clue about what he was thinking.

Yes, I am fine. Let's get to work!" Trying to control his tears, Kevin looked up and blinked his eyes. A few seconds after and he was able to recover himself. He then walked out of the house quickly without even looking back.

That moment made Leena realize that Kevin and Mamie might have shared something really sad. Otherwise, they wouldn't have acted that way. She knew, however, she couldn't ask. Thus, she just silently walked next to him and helped him by handing him his tools. She was mummed the whole time. Her curiosity was eating her inside out but she just smiled at him every time their eyes met and pretended to be calm.

That afternoon, Kevin and Mamie took her to a country graveyard. Standing before one of those graves there finally made Leena understand how heavy and sad things were for the two. The tall trees around the place played as silent spectators to them, together with the mild wind and afternoon sun.