Helen’s POV:
When I got home in the evening, I found that Kendal was also there.He had collapsed on the sofa from
tiredness.
All the furniture and goods I had bought had been neatly assembled and the floor had been cleaned. It
seemed that George had called Kendal over to do most of the work, if not all of it.
Kendal deliberately spoke in riddles in front of Anya and Phil during the day, which made everyone
misunderstand our relationship.So now when I saw him so tired, not only did I not show him any
sympathy, but I took pleasure in his misfortune.It felt good to get even with him.
George took the bag from me and hugged me tightly.
"Are you tired?"
"Not at all."
George bent over and French kissed me, ignoring the fact that we had company.
Kendal complained, "Can you two show some respect to a single, lonely man like me? Don’t cross the
boundaries of decency!"
George ignored him and gently stroked my hair with his warm hand.
"Go and wash your hands.Dinner is almost ready."
George had prepared a delicious meal.
The three of us sat at the table and had dinner together.I had bought all the tableware online.
They were not expensive but I had selected them carefully to match the decor of our home.I dare say it
was beautiful.
Strangely, Kendal, the most talkative man I knew, was unusually silent tonight.He was not even
interested in the divine food that George had cooked.
Before I could ask him what was bothering him, he said sadly, "Last time we had dinner together, Cece
was also there."His tone was nostalgic.
Finally, he smiled bitterly.
Then it occurred to me what George had said.
Kendal was still missing Cece, and he was wallowing in self-pity over the past few weeks.
There were some things that I did not want to mention at first, but when I saw his morose expression, I
had to say it.
"Actually, Cece was moved by the way you chased after her.But when you unexpectedly blocked her
social media account, she cried for several days."
Kendal was stunned by what I said.It took him a long time to come to his senses.
"Did she really cry?" I nodded.
Although Cece was quite the introvert, she was a proud woman.I had known her for many years and
seldom saw her cry.
But after Kendal had blocked her, she was heartbroken and cried buckets of tears.
Kendal put down his fork and knife and picked up his phone.His fingers were trembling.
I wasn’t sure if it’s because his tiredness from cleaning the apartment that afternoon or because he
found out that Cece had cried because of him.He held his phone and stared at the screen, and finally
put it down in frustration.
"She has blocked my phone number."
He covered his face and his shoulders began to quiver.
George patted him on the shoulder and said, "Since you can’t forget her, then go and get her back."
After a long drawn silence, Kendal calmed down and smiled with self-mockery.
"Forget it.I’m tired of chasing after her for so many years.I think she must be annoyed with me now.I
guess it’s okay.I hope she will be happy in her future life." He raised his head and drank up the wine in
the glass.
His eyes darkened with depression.
This was the first time that I had connected so deeply with Kendal.I could understand his pain.
For years, I hadn’t recovered from the trauma inflicted on me by my father, Libby and Jane, so I dared
not go back to Philly.I would deliberately avoid my former friends and acquaintances from Philly,
including Kendal.I couldn’t help explaining on Cece’s behalf.
"In fact, it’s not that Cece didn’t like you.Your mother went to see her when she graduated from
college.At that time, she wanted to come to New York for you, but your mother suddenly paid her a
visit.Since then, she has never mentioned it again."
Kendal had been pursuing Cece for so many years.If she didn’t like him, she would have made it
known to him.
But when Cece finally made up her mind to kindle a relationship with Kendal, his mother appeared out
of the blue and said something to Cece.I didn’t know the details of their conversation save to say that it
must have been something unpleasant.
Cece was a proud girl, and she gave up the idea of being with Kendal after his mother’s visit.
The expression on Kendal’s face was quizzical.
I added, "You may want to ask your mother what her visit with Cece entailed."
"Ask my mother?" Kendal’s voice was hoarse and bitter.
"Do you want me to go to the gates of heaven and ask my mother about it?"
George put his hand on my shoulder and stopped me from continuing.I was stunned by what Kendal
had said.Had his mother passed on? Realizing that I had said something inappropriate, I hurriedly
apologized.
"Sorry, I’m so sorry.I didn’t know…"
"It’s okay.Death is a normal rite of passage."
When Kendal came out of his stupor, his face returned to normal.He looked at George with a
meaningful expression on his face.
George stared back at him.
It was difficult for me to gauge what they were thinking. They seemed to have a mysterious, tacit
understanding between them.
Even if they didn’t say anything, they seemed to understand each other’s thoughts.
In fact, the friendship between George and Kendal was very strong from their high school days.
Although they were not in the same class, they would still hang out after school.
Many things had changed over the years, but their friendship remained intact.
Noticing their close interaction and innate connection, I thought I should excuse myself and give them
some space to chat.I took the initiative to move away.
But George pulled me back toward him and knocked on my forehead gently.
"Where are you going? What are you thinking about?"
I didn’t answer, but my eyes wandered between these two men.
When Kendal looked into my eyes, he angrily pointed at George and asked, "Hey! Don’t you know his
sexual orientation by now? Even if you are dissatisfied with your sex life, that’s your problem to solve.I
won’t take the blame."
He rigidly crossed his arms over his chest, seemingly angry that I had such a ridiculous idea in my
head.
That wasn’t fair! I couldn’t help but roll my eyes, and laugh inwardly.It wasn’t my fault.
The two of them were too close, and I couldn’t help but overthink.
George smiled at him and scolded, "Finish your dinner and get out of here!"
"Okay, okay! I’m leaving."
After dinner, Kendal took the car key and left in a hurry.
Looking at his receding back, I couldn’t help but sigh.
"He hasn’t changed at all."
"That’s true."
George nodded approvingly, a smile forming at the corners of his mouth.
That night, George and I were in a good mood.
Before I fell asleep, I remembered that I had an appointment with the psychologist on Friday.
"Why don’t I cancel it? I’ve never felt better.Maybe it’s really because I was under too much pressure at
work at that time," I whispered, leaning against George’s chest.I couldn’t help but feel amazing.
Ever since George and I had gotten back together, all my mental problems just magically disappeared.
In recent days, I barely suffered from insomnia anymore.
Even when I was alone, I would not have any illusions.
"You have made an appointment and can’t just cancel it.Just take it as a heart to heart chat with a
friend."
"Okay, then I’ll go." I thought for a while and nodded in agreement.
After all, my mother had also suffered from mental problems.
Even though the situation was getting better, I didn’t want to get too complacent.
George leaned over and kissed me on the forehead gently.
"That’s my girl."
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