Marci and his grandfather exchanged a glance and Marci immediately grabbed the sofa armrest and wailed, "I won't leave! This is my home, why should I leave?”
“Mommy, I hate you! I better live with grandpa and grandma."
He kicked his legs and hid behind his grandmother, crying so hard he could barely breathe.
If I had seen Marci like this before, I would have been at a loss.
I would have hugged Marci and explained over and over again.
I would have knelt down and gently coaxed Marci, "It's all my fault."
But that time, seeing this child in front of me, I just felt so noisy and annoyed.
I rubbed my temples, for the first time ignoring Marci's tear-reddened face and my in-laws, only glancing at everyone in the room. "These procedures must be completed today."
My mother-in-law released my arm and pounced on Marci like a mother hen protecting her chicks, hugging him tightly—clearly determined to defy me.
"I'll see who dares to touch my precious grandson today."
My father-in-law frowned, probably afraid I was truly determined.
Then, for the first time, he sternly criticized Marci, "Marci, did you do something to upset your mother?"
"Kneel down before her and beg her not to send you away."
Marci hesitated, then bit his lip and knelt down with a thud. “Mom, I was wrong.”
“I shouldn't have made you angry. I'll never tear up your homework again, never say your voice is unpleasant again. Please don't send me away, okay?"
Recalling all the things I'd done to Marci before, I could bear even if he kowtowed three times, let alone just this kneel.
I didn't bend down to help him; instead, I took a half step back, avoiding his outstretched hand, my gaze sweeping over my in-laws' faces. "This child must be sent away today."
Jimmy, who was still in mid-air, couldn't contain himself any longer.
He charged at me like a madman, his transparent fists pounding against me repeatedly. "Chrystal, you vicious woman!”
“Marci has already knelt before you, what more do you want?"
"Let me tell you, Marci is a member of the Watts Family and he will bear the Watts surname for life."
Seeing that I was unmoved, he then lunged at Marci, his voice suddenly trembled with tears.
He reached out to touch Marci's head, but his hand passed through nothingness. "Marci, don't be afraid, Daddy's here. I won't let this vicious woman take you away."