In the dead of night, Leonel found himself standing alone, swallowed by the shadows of the maple tree.
He held the glazed ball in his hand, memories flooding back.
The wind whispered past, carrying echoes of Alexisâ childhood voice.
âLeonel, come quick!â
âYou canât drown the little tree with so much water!â âOkay, letâs grow up together with this little tree.
â
âLeonel, come make a pinky promise with me.
â
Moonlight filtered through the branches, illuminating the tears streaking Leonelâs cheeks as he wept.
In the second hearing, Leonel finally laid eyes on Alexis.
Surprise hit him when he rolled up to the courthouse gate and there she was, stepping out of a white ride across from his.
It was the woman heâd been itching to see.
They hadnât crossed paths in ages and it seemed Alexis had shed some pounds.
As Alexis shut her car door, she spotted Leonel too.
He was itching to hop out and have a chat
with him but she beelined into the courthouse without a glance back.
âHey, hold up, Alexis!â Leonel called out, scrambling after her.
Hearing his voice, Alexis halted.
Leonel slowed his stride, almost like he was scared of spooking her.
He got within armâs reach, ready to say his piece, but words failed him.
He didnât know where to begin.
Finally, he muttered, âAlexis, Iâ¦â
But before he could finish, Alexis cut in, âSave it for later!â
Leonelâs heart sank.
He wanted to say more but Alexis was already walking away.
Throughout the next four hours at court, his eyes kept drifting to her.
He noticed sheâd shed quite a bit of weightâ¦
Back then, he used to say she rocked black hair better, so she always kept it dyed that way.
Now it was back to light brown-her natural hair color.
Leonel got what it meant and his face went ashen.
There was still no verdict after the hearing but the judge mentioned theyâd chew over the case before giving the final word.
Alexis didnât mind.
After a quick chat with Rex, she departed.
Once again, Leonel caught her in the parking lot.
âAlexis!â
Already at the driverâs door, Alexis turned as she heard him.
Keeping a cool facade, she said, âMy lawyer laid it all out in court, Leonel⦠Thereâs nothing else to say.
â