Chapter 295
“You don’t like my cooking? Fine! Go find some old lady who can cook better! I’d be happy for the break p>
“What old lady are you talking about p>
“Hah! You think I don’t know? You go to the town square every night to chat with a bunch of old women. One of them must be your sweetheart p>
“I I was asking them what kind of birthday presents women their age like p>
“You’re planning to celebrate someone else’s birthday p>
“Your birthday is in two days p>
The old woman blinked. “My birthday? You remembered p>
“How could I forget p>
“Well, you should have just said so instead of making me think the worst p>
“I just wanted to surprise you, like the young people do p>
“So, what did you get me p>
“I was thinking of buying you a new pot p>
“Make it a big one. So I can cook you in it p>
“I only have a hundred dollars on me p>
“You dare to keep a secret stash of money from me p>
“I saved it up from selling empty liquor bottles p>
At this, the old woman turned to Penelope, gripping the back of the passenger seat. She launched into a long tirade about her husband’s drinking habits, how the empty bottles could build a mountain, and how he insisted on drinking despite his poor health. The old man, embarrassed, leaned toward Theodore and muttered, “Young man, never marry a fierce woman, or you’ll be oppressed for the rest of your life p>
Theodore smiled. “Haven’t you ever thought of fighting back p>
“I wouldn’t dare. I’m afraid she’d hit me p>
“You can’t win in a fight against her p>
“It’s not that. I just couldn’t bear to hit her back p>
By the time they dropped the elderly couple off at their house, night had fallen. The couple insisted they stay the night, which worked out perfectly since they had no money for a hotel. Dinner was a simple home-cooked meal. As the old man had hinted, his wife’s cooking wasn’t the best, but she placed a bowl of hot, steaming porridge in front of him with care. The old man in turn handed over all the money he’d earned that day from selling goods from the mountain, even turning his pockets inside out to prove he hadn’t kept a single cent for himself.
After dinner, they were shown to a room in the west wing. The bedding was freshly washed and clean. Penelope flopped onto the bed and rolled around happily. Seeing Theodore taking off his shirt, she asked, “Will we be like them when we’re old p>
Theodore lay down beside her and pulled her into his arms. “If we are, I hope you’ll give me a bigger allowance p>
“Hmph. What do you need so much money for p>
“To buy cigarettes p>
Penelope giggled, then rolled on top of him, her eyes narrowed playfully. “Smoking
is bad for your health. You should quit p>
Theodore flipped her over, pinning her beneath him. “What if I beg you p>
“How would you beg p>
He kissed her, his voice a soft murmur between their lips. “Wife, please, have pity on me p>
Penelope, who had been getting aroused, burst out laughing at his words. “For that, you get fifty cents p>
He bit her lower lip playfully. “You’re such a stingy old woman p>
“If I’m an old woman, then you’re an old man p>
“But you’ll still be beautiful when you’re old p>
“And you’ll still be handsome p>
Theodore looked at Penelope, and Penelope looked at Theodore. In that moment, they both knew with absolute certainty that they would be together until the very
end.
That night, Penelope slept soundly, but she was woken early the next morning by Theodore. The sky was still dark as he led her up a mountain path, following a trail of stone steps to the summit. As they watched, the dawn slowly broke through the darkness, casting a golden glow across the horizon The night
receded, and the sky began to
lighten.
Nestled in Theodore’s arms,
Penelope watched as the mountains were painted with color and the
morning mist thinned. Then, the fiery sun peeked over the edge of the world. Golden rays pierced through the clouds, shattering into a million shimmering fragments that scattered across the mountains, forests, and the distant, smoking chimneys of the village below.
“I’m seeing the most beautiful sunrise from my mother’s eyes,” Penelope whispered. She turned to face Theodore, the morning light illuminating his features, making him look as ethereal as a dream.