"Nothing. I just felt like laughing so I laughed. Is anything wrong with that?"

"Uncle Jason, something must have made you laugh," pursued the ignorant Eleanor. "Share it so that we can all laugh with you."

A bitter look from Cheryl further stirred up Jason’s laughter that he had managed to subdue.

"That’s because you acted so nobly today that I couldn’t help but be happy with you,"

"Really, Uncle?" Eleanor’s smile was radiant, lighting up her entire face with warmth and joy.

"Mm hmm," affirmed Jason.

Elvis shook his head at his naive sister who had been led astray by their uncle.

He knew perfectly what had made his uncle laugh, but it wasn’t his turn to expose him.

"Mom had told us to be super nice to them and it wasn’t hard after all. I loved it," Eleanor bragged to everyone’s amusement.

"That is something you must never forget in life. You should always be kind to the less privileged and show them love."

"I will. Next time I also want to bring some of my toys and things I am no longer using to give to them."

"Next time?!" ’Here she goes again,’ groaned Jason.

All the adults burst out in laughter and the rest of the journey was very lively.

*******

The next day was a Sunday and Kathleen decided to take the children to church.

After the service, on their way to the car park, Eleanor recounted what transpired in their Sunday school class to their mother.

All of a sudden, they heard someone calling out to their mother.

"Kathleen..."

They stopped and saw Lauren hurrying over.

"Good morning aunt Lauren," the children greeted with a smile.

"Good morning darlings," she responded, taking in quick gasps of air. "You never told me you would be attending church with the children."

"When have you suddenly turned into an usher taking attendance that I should report to you?" 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

"That’s because you have caused me a huge headache today." Lauren said breathlessly.

"What do you mean?"

"My parents saw you and the kids and I hardly heard the rest of the sermon afterwards. They should be ..." but she didn’t get to finish her sentence as she was cut short by an excited voice.

"Kathleen, darling, when did you come back to town?"

Kathleen quickly bowed to the two elders that had appeared by their side. "Good morning Aunt, good morning uncle. Come on children, say hi to grandma and grandpa. They are your Aunt Lauren’s parents.

"Good morning grandma. Good morning grandpa," they both chorused.

"What adorable children you’ve got there. You never told us you remarried." Mrs Holmes bent down and held the two children in her arms, an adoring smile softening her features.

"Mom?" Lauren was afraid Kathleen would be embarrassed by her parent’s words.

"Thanks Aunt." Kathleen ignored the second part of the statement and chose to respond to the first.

"What are your names ,sweethearts?"

"I’m Elvis and my sister is Eleanor," Elvis answered as he tried to wriggle his way out of her embrace.

"Such lovely names you’ve got there." Straightening up, she turned to Kathleen, "When will you bring them to the house?"

"Em..."

"I won’t accept any excuse from you," she warned before Kathleen could come up with one.

"Darling, you don’t need to force her. You know she is a very busy woman and has so much to handle," Mr Holmes stepped in.

He could see the reluctance in Kathleen’s disposition and didn’t want her to be in a tight corner.

"Nonsense ! It is so boring at home with no child to run around and your daughter here is the least bothered about it."

"Kathleen, darling, can you help me find at least a boyfriend for your friend?"

"Mom!" If you don’t stop I’ll ask Kathleen to never come and visit you with the children."

"You unfilial child, how can you be so wicked? You have refused to give us a grandchild and you even dare to threaten me with Kathleen’s children." Mrs Holmes scolded.

Lauren had a smug look as she declared shamelessly, "For your information, i am their godmother, so I can do whatever I want with them."

"Tsk, godmother my foot," Mrs Holmes sneered.

"Why did you even give her that title? She scolded Kathleen.

"I’ve told her to bring home any handsome young man and we will gladly give her our blessings but she won’t."

Her voice dropped to almost a sob and she looked pitiful as she said, "Look at you, at such a young age, you are already a mother of two wonderful children. Why is my life so pitiful? she wailed, attracting curious glances from some of the passers by.

Lauren and Kathleen: "???"

"Grandma, don’t cry," Eleanor comforted. "My mother knows a lot of handsome uncles that she can introduce to our godmother."

"What a darling you are." Mrs Holmes wiped a nonexistent tear from her eyes as she kissed Eleanor’s cheeks.

"With your mother’s help I’m sure it will not be long before I become a grandmother again. But I also hope your mother will not disappoint an old woman like me."

While saying that she sniffed and peered at Kathleen who was rendered speechless by her apparent blackmail.

She only smiled after extracting a promise from Kathleen to help her and to bring the children to see her the next weekend.

"Now you understand what I go through in the hands of that woman and her husband," Lauren lamented as soon as her parents left them.

"I finally see why you would rather run around the world than stay home."

"Are you now willing to take me under your wings?"

"Who is taking you under her wings? I think we should start strategizing on how to get you a handsome husband. He doesn’t have to be rich, as your money can cover for both of you."

Lauren was almost crying as she held onto Kathleen’s arms, "Seriously! Are you sure you are still my friend?"