But his mind had already wandered elsewhere.
By the time the maid came to get him, he was just stepping out of the study, a wide smile on his face.
Knowing Roseanne wasing today, Corley had skipped work and came over specifically to wait for her.
But then...
As he walked into the dining room, he did see Roseanne. Before he could feel happy about it, however, he also saw Owen and Carlson sitting beside her. The smile that was halfway to his lips froze, then slowly ttened.
"Mr. Reynolds is here too?"
Owen looked up, a gentle and schrly smile on his face. “Yes, Roseanne invited me. It was an offer too kind to refuse, and it''s also been a while since I paid my respects to your grandparents."
The phrase "Roseanne invited me" struck Corley''s heart like a sharp needle. It was agonizing.
"Corley, hurry and sit down. Let''s eat," Geneva said.
"...Alright."
Roseanne was seated with her grandmother on her left and Owen on her right. There was only one empty seat left at the table. Corley had no choice but to sit across from her.
During the meal, the grandmother turned into a "food-serving fanatic," piling food onto the tes of the younger guests. Carlson stared at the small mountain of meat and vegetables in his bowl and just... started eating. He couldn''t refuse the old woman''s kindness!
Owen didn''t fare much better, but he was a bit more clever than Carlson. He picked up the serving chopsticks and started serving food to the grandmother. This reverse maneuver scored him major points. The old woman, while politely declining, began to eat what he served her,pletely forgetting to pile more food onto their tes.
Roseanne silently gave him a thumbs-up in her mind. Physicists really do have sharp minds.
After lunch, the grandmother excitedly led them to her strawberry patch. Yes, the greenhouse Carlson had seen when he arrived was used for growing strawberries.
They were perfectly in season.
"...They''ve grown so well! They''re big and red, and the best part is they''re homegrown, with no pesticides. Clean and fresh, so you can eat them without any worries."
"In a bit, you can each take a basket and pick as many as you want. Take them home to eat slowly."
“And leave some for theb, too. You have a fridge there, anyway."
The group followed the grandmother through the garden to the front of the greenhouse Inside their eve were met with rows of beautifully shaped, perfectly ripe red strawberries.
"If you don''t pick them, they''ll go bad in a couple of days anyway."
Roseanne picked one, rinsed it under a nearby tap, and popped it into her mouth. A
sweet fragrance of cream and strawberry instantly flooded her senses.
"Mmm! Delicious!"
The grandmother beamed like a child.
It was the first time Carlson had ever seen a strawberry patch inside someone''s home. Back in his vige, some people grew strawberries, but the fruits were always small and sau He had only ever seen strawberries asrge and perfect as these in pre-packaged premium gift boxes at the supermarket.
Roseanne handed a basket each to Owen and Carley. Then she took one for herself and began to diligently pick strawberries, her mind filled with thoughts of how happy Mamie would be to see them. Yes, Ishould pick plenty to bring back to theb.
"I''ll help you," Owen offered.
Corley came over to join in. "I''ll pick some, and you can take them with youter."
Roseanne looked from one to the other. "You two... you don''t like strawberries?"
Owen was speechless.
So was Corley.
While picking, Roseanne rinsed a strawberry and casually handed it to Owen, who was closest to her. "Professor, try one. They''re incredibly sweet."
"Alright." The man reached out, took it, and bit into it. "...It really is sweet."
“See? I picked it. Of course, it''s good."
"Howe you only give him one and not me?" Corley walked over, his voice tinged with mncholy.
Roseanne said, "Here, you try one too."
Owen smiled and asked, "How is it, Mr. Sullivan?"
"Sour," Corley said. Then he turned, picked up his basket, and walked away.