Summer came to visit
They talked for a long time,
Summer realized that Jane was taking more
く
Chiangs.
Olivia had jumped off the roof.
She was alive, but paralyzed. She would spend
the rest of her life in a wheelchair.
Arthur was getting old and sick, so David took
over the family business.
David was in charge now.
But the family had no issues.
Jane listened.
“Summer, can you give something to David for
me?”
“Sure!”
David heard that Jane was adopted again.
She was adopted by a woman named Susan.
Susan owned a coffee shop.
David bought coffee there a few times.
Susan was outgoing and cheerful.
She gave customers gifts.
There were paintings in the coffee shop.
Not by a professional.
They were amateur.
But very lively.
A similar painting was in Olivia’s room.
It was a picture of a lake.
It was supposed to help Olivia’s mood.
It was a gift from Summer.
Olivia looked at it every day.
David went to the coffee shop.
It wasn’t busy. Susan was serving customers.
After David ordered, Susan tagged his cup and
asked, “What’s your last name?”
“Chiang.”
“Okay, Mr…” Susan stopped and said, “Mr.
Chiang.”
Susan brought the coffee over. “Mr. Chiang,
here’s your coffee.”
David saw that the latte art was new.
Susan smiled. “Sorry, this is the first time I’ve
<
8:04
tried it. My daughter helped me design it. I’ll get
better next time.”
David looked at the coffee and smiled.
“It’s nice. Your daughter is talented.”
Susan smiled. “Thank you. She’ll be happy to
hear that.”
David went again.
Susan wasn’t there. An employee said she took
her daughter to an amusement park.
In the amusement park, David saw Jane.
She and Susan were waiting in line for a
rollercoaster.
Even from a distance, David could see that
Jane was happy.
Jane, always be happy.
If you’re not happy, tell your mom.
Don’t keep it inside.
Summer tried to use her friendliness and smarts
to get warmth, but she just ended up hating
herself.” (paraphrase)
You look the prettiest when you smile.
They got off the rollercoaster.
Susan’s voice carried through the crowd. “You
didn’t listen. You got chips all over your clothes.
Don’t move, let me get them off. Is that a new
shirt? I’m taking you shopping later…”
A woman interrupted David.
She had been staring at David.
He was handsome, and his black shirt made
him stand out.
“You’ve been standing here for a while. Are you
waiting for family?” she asked.
David paused.
Then he shook his head and said, “She doesn’t
have family like that.”
The woman left.
On the other side, Jane was looking at him.
There were tears in her eyes.
Susan asked, “What’s wrong? Who are you looking at?”
Susan’s voice was gentle, like the beating of butterfly wings.
“Brother.”
(End)
