EVERGLOW

XVI. How to control damage

After about a week of tiptoeing around each other in the same house, Dylan and Yue fell into a routine that became less and less awkward. By tacit agreement, the tasks were divided between them. They ended up running a very smooth household, smoother perhaps than the one they had right after they married. They both did their chores meticulously, primarily to avoid unnecessary conversation.

Always the early riser, she was in charge of Cai's early morning feeding, and starting his coffee pot. Then she would take the baby out on the yard for a bit of sunshine when the weather was good. Or, when it was too chilly, a little tummy time in the living room while she checked emails and made phone calls to her agent and her publisher. By this time, he'd be awake, should have found the coffee, and started making breakfast for both of them.

That first day, his mother had arrived, already talking to him as he opened the door. She abruptly fell silent when she spotted Yue burping the baby behind him. Yue was at a loss on what to say, and was more than relieved when the older woman merely offered to hold the baby while they ate. She could tell the older woman had questions, but whether or not she'd asked them to Dylan, she never knew. She had been coming over to help him with the baby, and took Cai home when he had to travel for work.

"It's good that you're back now. You both can take turns staying here with her," his mother had said to her over breakfast. "Or it will be easier for you to take her with you."

They'd looked at each other, unsure of how to respond, still unsure of where they stood. Sensing that there was something about this new arrangement, she was quick to reassure them.

"Don't worry if you need to leave her with us again. We love having her at home."

Just when Yue thought the coast was clear, his mother walked after her to the nursery to put Cai back in her cot. She thought about backtracking and staying in the kitchen instead where Dylan was loading the dishwasher. Then she remembered that her in-laws lived close enough for daily visits. The talk was going to happen. She might as well get it over with while the surprise was still fresh.

"Mama."

She waited apprehensively as the older woman fussed over Cai's sheets and plush toys.

"Yue. I don't know what made you leave. He never said anything. Not to me. Or to my husband." She paused as she straightened and held her gaze.

"But I hope, for my son's sake, you'll have more reasons to stay this time." She reached down to stroke Cai's hair. "You're a mother now too. You'll understand."

Before Yue could say anything, his mother swept out of the room and went out the front door. She'd sunk on the small bed beside the cot, thinking for the first time about what exactly she had gotten herself into.

She and Dylan hadn't said anything more about the divorce. After she'd told him to start with the adoption, she'd thrown whatever was left of the papers she'd bought in the trash bin. She can print new ones when the time came.

She'd had to force herself to get up and trudge to the kitchen. Lunch was hers to prepare as he worked out in the basement, before it was time for Cai's midday feeding. She usually made western food. He ate them without saying anything.

Until the fifth day. He'd stared at his plate of baked chicken and mashed potatoes, without making any move to eat it. She tried not to worry about it, but the line was showing between his brows and she knew something was bothering him.

"I made sure the chicken is done. You should be safe from salmonella," she quipped with a hesitant smile.

He looked up at her, and they both wondered about what the other was thinking.