"...But I want you to promise me something, okay? No matter what happens, don't blame yourself for anything. Please, mom."
He paused for a moment again, then added:
"Promise me."
Still without responding, she shifted her position on the sofa. Gerald sighed softly and shook his head. Then, he stood up from the sofa and headed over to the sink to rinse his face. Once done with that, he grabbed an extra clean towel and dried himself dry. Afterwards, he turned around, walked to the kitchen table, and set down the towel and the glasses of juice there. After setting his glass on the table, he headed back over to the couch and leaned over to pick up his mother's cup. While carrying his mother's cup into the kitchen, he realized that the tea that he had put in earlier was still warm.
"Maa-cha
