ด้วยรักตลอดไป (With Love, Forever)

Jeff

It was a quiet afternoon at school—one of those slow, unremarkable days where the minutes seemed to stretch on forever. I was going over some notes for the next lesson when I saw a message pop up on my phone. It was from Jackson.

Jackson: Hey, just wanted to let you know Xinxin and I decided to take the day off. We're heading to the zoo.

A smile tugged at my lips as I read it. The kid had been through a lot recently, and seeing her get a break, even if just for a day, made me feel better. I typed a quick response.

Me: That sounds like a great plan. Enjoy the day! You both deserve it.

It wasn't long before Jackson replied again, and this time, there was a bit of mischief in his tone.

Jackson: Xinxin insists you come for dinner tonight. She said it's not a real day off unless you're there to eat with us.

I laughed to myself, imagining Xinxin with that determined little face, already plotting the evening.

Me: Of course! I'll be there. Just let me know when.

Jackson: Around 6. She's been planning it since we got here, so be ready for some serious dinner demands.

Me: I'm always ready for Xinxin's dinner demands. See you guys then!

I set my phone down, a light feeling settling in my chest. It was good to see them having some fun without the weight of everything else looming over them. They deserved a break.

At the end of the day, I wrapped up my work and headed home, already looking forward to the evening. As promised, by 6 p.m., I found myself at their door, a little knock announcing my arrival.

Xinxin greeted me with a wide grin, holding up her arms for a hug. "You made it!" she said, her voice brimming with excitement.

I bent down and scooped her up, smiling as she squeezed me tight. "I wouldn't miss it."

Jackson came out of the kitchen, wiping his hands on a towel. He raised an eyebrow. "Did you bring your appetite?"

"Always." I grinned. "But I heard Xinxin has some special demands. I hear she's been planning this."

Xinxin giggled hearing that. 

We settled down at the table, Xinxin in her usual spot, eagerly pushing her plate toward me. "Eat! Eat! You have to try everything!"

And just like that, the evening continued in the same spirit—laughter, good food, and the easy rhythm of friendship. 

"So," Xinxin asked, looking at me with big, earnest eyes. "What do you think of my zoo?"

I winked. "I think it's a pretty great zoo, especially with such an excellent guide."

She beamed at the compliment, practically bouncing in her seat. "We saw everything!"

And for a little while, in the glow of the evening and the warmth of their home, everything felt just right.

Dinner came to a comfortable end, with Xinxin satisfied and full of energy, as usual. She leaned back in her chair, a contented sigh escaping her lips. I chuckled at the sight of her, her face still a little smeared with food as she absently twirled her fork around.

"Alright, kiddo," I said, rising from the table. "How about I help you get ready for bed?"

Xinxin blinked up at me, eyes wide with feigned shock. "But I'm not tired!"

I raised an eyebrow. "You sure? You're not about to tell me you don't want a bedtime story?"

Her expression softened instantly. "Oh, you'll read to me?"

I nodded. "Of course. You pick the book."

She grinned, already hopping out of her chair and running to grab her favorite storybook, the one about the brave little fox who could outsmart anyone. It was always a win when I read it.

Meanwhile, Jackson cleared the table, his movements slow and tired, but steady. He glanced up at me. "Thanks for doing this."

I smiled. "It's no trouble. She's great company."

Xinxin and I retreated to her room, where I helped her change into her pajamas, and we snuggled into the covers together. I read her the fox story with all the enthusiasm I could muster, making the animal sounds and voices for each character, much to her delight.

Once she was tucked in, I kissed her goodnight, promising her I'd be back tomorrow for another adventure. She fell asleep quickly, her little breaths steady and soft.

I quietly slipped out of her room and headed toward the living room, but I could hear the faint sound of clinking glass from down the hall.

It wasn't unusual for Jackson to take a moment for himself, but I wasn't expecting him to be sitting alone in his room, nursing a glass of wine. I paused by the doorway, leaning against the frame, watching him quietly for a moment.

He had a distant look in his eyes as he stared into the glass, his fingers lightly tapping the side. The weight of the day seemed to have caught up with him, his usual confidence replaced with something softer, something more vulnerable.

"You good?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, as though I didn't want to interrupt whatever thoughts he was lost in.

Jackson blinked and looked up, his face softening when he saw me. He gave a half-smile, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Just needed a moment."

I stepped inside the room, leaning against the doorframe casually, but something in the air felt different tonight—charged, maybe. It was hard to put into words, but there was a weight in the silence that hadn't been there before.

I crossed my arms, trying to keep the conversation light. "I didn't mean to interrupt. I was just checking in."

Jackson sighed, looking down at his glass before taking a small sip. "I've just been thinking... a lot. About everything."

I nodded, understanding exactly what he meant. There had been so many things hanging over us lately, all those unanswered questions about the future, about what was coming next. It was easy to see why he'd need some time to process it all.

But for some reason, in this quiet moment, I felt an unexpected tug, like I was seeing him in a new light—a side of him that was stripped bare of all the protective layers he usually wore. It was rare to see him so vulnerable, so open.

I cleared my throat, unsure how to address the sudden heaviness between us. "You're not alone in this, you know."

His eyes met mine again, and for a brief second, something flickered there—a softness, a quiet understanding.

"I know," he replied, his voice barely audible, like he was speaking the truth he hadn't allowed himself to fully believe. "I'm lucky to have you."

The words hung in the air between us, and though we didn't say anything more, something shifted—something unspoken. I felt it, the pull of familiarity, of connection, something deeper than just friendship, but I couldn't pinpoint exactly what it was.

I should've left the room, should've given him space to finish his drink, to process whatever was on his mind. But instead, I lingered for a moment longer, catching my breath, letting the tension pass between us, almost tangible in the dim light.

Finally, I cleared my throat again, breaking the silence. "I'll leave you to it. Let me know if you need anything, okay?"

Jackson gave a quiet nod, lifting his glass slightly in acknowledgment. "Thanks, Jeff."

I stayed for just a second more, watching him take another slow sip, before I turned and stepped back into the hall, leaving him to his thoughts.

But as I closed the door behind me, I couldn't shake the feeling that something had changed. And for the first time in a long time, I wasn't entirely sure what it meant.