Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

Suddenly, his gaze halted, and there she was, a familiar face - Sophia, Jenna's babysitter!

"Sophia!"

Gilbert immediately dashed towards her.

"Mr. Johnson?" Sophia, who was sitting on a park bench knitting a sweater, stood up in surprise upon seeing him.

"What are you doing here?"

"Where's Jenna?"

He paused, then added, "And Jenna's mom?"

"Huh?" Sophia wasn't sure why he was asking but pointed in a direction anyway.

"Jenna's mom took her to the ice cream parlor over there for some milkshakes."

"Got it! Thanks!"

After thanking her, Gilbert turned and hurried towards the ice cream parlor.

As he reached the street across, he stopped.

The door of the ice cream parlor swung open, and out came a little boy, followed by a young woman carrying a cuddly doll.

It was Jenna! Jenna snuggled into the young woman's neck, planting a shy kiss on her cheek before whispering something in her ear.

The woman burst into laughter, gently patting Jenna's back.

wrapped in each other's

fixed on the woman's face, a face

face he was familiar

Jenna's mom. And Jenna's

was he thinking? That Jenna could be Sherilyn's child? Seems

away from the young woman, Gilbert walked

into the car, his

It was Charles.

Gilbert, about the

aside

buyers. their information to

11

"Alright."

checked the

information about the other buyers... completely unfamiliar names, no mention of

Sherilyn got that

start

of the ice

it was the face he

her lips a her hair loosely tied in a low bun, still

Osely tied in a

holding Jenna, "Thanks so much, Auntie Dawn." "No problem at

The Jenna,