Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

Gilbert sat on the edge of his bed, cheeks puffed out, feeling a sourness around his eyes that he couldn't shake.

It was supposed to be a sweet moment, yet why did everything taste so bitter in his mouth?

Sherilyn, I'm sorry...

Jenna, I'm sorry...

...

Late at night.

At Golden Oak Manor.

Gilbert stepped out of the shower, his skin still damp and shining. He switched on the TV and stumbled upon a documentary, hitting the play button.

"From the moment of conception, a woman's body undergoes a myriad of changes..."

He was watching a documentary on pregnancy and childbirth.

The room was dark, lit only by the faint glow of the TV screen that flickered across Gilbert's face.

He watched intently, murmuring, "So, pregnancy is this painful..."

Even with the support of husbands and families, the pregnant women in the documentary seemed to be walking a tightrope between life and death.

And then there was Sherilyn.

Gilbert covered his eyes with a hand.

years old! Alone in Crestwood, how did she endure those long ten months... And afterwards, those long three years, raising Jenna alone! She was just a little girl

was hard to imagine, a frail young girl, taking

that had eroded Sherilyn's love, but... his own

Gilbert suddenly stood up, grabbed a glass from the table, and hurled

glass shattered

his

forgive him...

Sunset

Sherilyn

hands were clasped

today's events, she no longer had to pretend in front of

actions, he wouldn't stand

with that came deeper

Could such bonds

she remembered the year she was kicked out of the

no money, not enough food, no breast milk, and

you don't deserve forgiveness...

...

The following afternoon, Sherilyn

to her apartment

after a stroll in the park

time she received a

"I'm

on

"Sherilyn, over here."

come over. Without a particular destination in mind, they found

"What'll you have?"