A Forgotten Promise

Today was a new day but it was also a day like any other.   My wife woke me up as usual early in the morning with a light brush and a soft tone, so that I’d be able to take the children to school on my way to work.   My wife didn’t work. You’d think it might be best to let her accompany our daughter to school. But it must be said that the establishment was quite far and I didn’t want to trouble her. That’s right, she didn’t have to work outside but she wasn’t idle either.   Our home was situated in the countryside. Here, there were very few people and a vast landscape. Each household provided itself with its necessities by its own member’s labor. Of course, they could also go purchase what they lacked, or simply engage in some exchanges with the other households, never spending that much real money.   Because I was working every day at the office, she would be the one working in the fields to provide us with some food, following the local trend. Even if I go help her when I get spare time, I can’t help but feeling a bit of guilt as well as some admiration for her unmatchable tenacity. It won’t be wrong saying she was the main one supporting our family on her frail shoulders.   I myself didn’t have that strong of a frame, as all the farmers working here in the fields. Because I spent most of my time working indoor, my skin was still fair. I feel even shameful saying it was clearer than my wife’s. I owed her so much and she was still supporting me. She gifted me with such a treasure of a baby and I didn’t know how I should pay off this debt for the rest of my life.   Life in this small community was rather simple and peaceful. But because it was a bit too small of a town, it would be a waste to build a whole school in this desolate place. As most of the people remaining here were mostly elderly and eventually some young lads, sent here by their parents who could not afford to take care of their expenses while moving to the big cities.   Thus, I was charged with the responsibility of taking my daughter and some of the village buns to school as it was not that near. Eventually, it was not that big of trouble anyway. I also enjoyed spending more time with these children. They are so carefree and cheerful, as I should have been myself once in the past. Interacting with them brings me always such a wave of freshness that helps me put my mind at ease.   There is also this little girl, my true blood and flesh child that is making every day of my life worth being lived. Even if I didn’t have much time to spare for her, I would always accompany her to sleep at night while recounting here some stories. Then I would be reprimanded by my wife for spoiling her too much as that child would grow accustomed to it, and won’t fall asleep without having me by her side.   Then I would soothe my wife with a gentle smile and take her in my embrace, replying that she was the one who could not sleep without me. She then will pout but never push me away and thus we would simply go to bed, turn off the light and slowly slide in a world of dreams.   This morning, as per usual, I came out of bed in a bit of a daze and I went to wash my face so as to be fully awake. I, then, move to the kitchen and took a place at the dining table. There I found my little daughter who still has some sleepiness on her face, rubbing her big swollen eyes. When she saw me she would softly emit a small “Morning” before I would smile at her slightly while patting her head.   Next, my wife would bring us the breakfast she has just prepared and we would sit together around the table, enjoying peacefully this simple but delicious meal.   Before exiting to work, I won’t forget to kiss my wife on the cheek and thank her for today’s food. She would smile and tell me to take care. I would take Little Xie by her hand and head off to work. Little Xie has now 5 years old. I've always wondered how children manage to grow so fast. Actually, she's still not five. Her birthday will be in two days. I've already discussed with my wife what gift we can afford to give her this year. I'm not actually good at controlling my monetary expenses. It's fine on a daily basis since I don't actually go shopping so often. Additionally, I don't want to be constantly lectured back at home. In fact, I feel very self-conscious the more I'm aging now. In short, we did need to have that conversation in order to lessen the damage and avoid repeating a certain occurrence I don't really want to recall. To sum it up, my wife filters through my suggestions, and we agree on the most cost-effective product. In fact, we go this way each time there is a decision to be made. I'll never be short on ideas even if I can't really assume most of them. While thinking about all this, we were preparing to head out. Only this time, everything didn’t go as per usual. When I opened the front door, I instantly froze in place.   Only this time, everything didn’t go as per usual. When I opened the front door, I instantly froze in place.   Little Xie sensed that something wasn’t quite right as she felt my grip on her little hand tighten slightly. She then looked at the man standing before our doorstep with confusion and cautiousness written all over her face.   At that moment, I thought I had seen a ghost.   The man parted his lips and said: “… Long-time no see.”