She continued, âPeople change and stuffâs different now.
â
After saying that, she seemed lost in thought.
Albert sat at the desk, gazing at her quietly.
Her face, illuminated by the Light, seemed serene and not as radiant as before.
Maybe age had caught up with her or she was in a different place now.
When she looked at him, he couldnât detect any affection or bashfulness in her gaze.
Suddenly, Albert couldnât bear it any longer.
This hurt more than finding out she had a new boyfriend.
It seemed sheâd moved on from him.
Right then, he was probably just another old man with money in her eyes.
How could he compete with that young, robust doctor named Axell?
Albert fetched a pack of smokes from the drawer.
He hardly ever smoked these days, with Jeslyn to care for, but now he craved one.
Jessie got up, saying, âIâll go check on the kid.
â
Albert didnât object.
With a lit cigarette between his fingers, he watched her disappear in the haze of smoke.
He seized a chance to be alone with her on purpose.
Truth be told, he wanted to ask about her and Axell.
But when she stood before him, he couldnât bring himself to.
This was their moment, just the two of them.
Why bring up another guy?
Albert lingered in the study, smoking away.
At eight oâclock, Elsie knocked and entered.
He looked up, asking, âDid she go?â
Without a doubt, he meant Jessie.
Elsie had been with him for ages and had witnessed him and Jessie through thick and thin.
She had once believed they were meant to be but she was mistaken.
Years later, Albert hired her again to care for his daughter, while Jessie had moved on with a new beau.
Elsie hesitated outside.
She knew Albert preferred privacy in his study.
Standing by the door, she reported, âYes, sir; she left at eight on the dot.
â
Outside, the car engine revved.
Albert listened in silence for a moment.
Then Elsie continued, âMiss Greenâs had it rough too.
Youâ¦
You should perhaps just let go!â
Albert took a drag of his smoke.
Slowly, he inquired, âDidnât you tell Jeslyn that Jessie would be her new mom?â
Elsie blushed.
âI didnât know she had a new boyfriend.
â