LLIONAIR

madness but he

SODE

t us call

UNITED STATE

HT YEAR

le man named Phoenix asked. “Well I am just trying to prepare lunch..or have you eaten at Ma’am Elise's place?" Ria asked. "No, ma’am Elise is not at home." Phoebe answered. “Okay now both of you should go inside the room and take a shower and after that you will eat your lunch—“ "Then we will tell you what happened at school today!" Phoenix completed her intended statement. Well that’s how they do all the time. Phoebe and Phoenix b

SHB

because our dad didn't have the money to buy us food.” "Phoebe if this is about food, I will buy enough for you and your brother. Your brother will be fine.” Ria said. “No, this is not just about the food.” Phoebe cried. Ria exchanged glances with ma’am Elise. “Then Phoebe, tell me what is wrong?" "Dad found out Phoenix was ill but he left us.” Phoebe sniffed. "What illness?" Ria asked. "Phoenix was diagnosed of Appendix and dad doesn't have the money to get his surgery done.” Phoebe explained. Ria’s jaw dropped immediately. “Do you know where your dad might be?" Ma’am Elise asked. "He is gone..he is not coming back again.” Phoebe mumbled. "What do you mean?" Ria questioned. Phoebe sniffed again. "I saw the note he left under the TV. He left because we are nothing but a burden to him.” She sobbed loudly. “Phoebe, perhaps do you know his workplace?" Ma’am Elise asked. "I went there already..but a man said he stopped working there about two weeks ago after he got fired for engaging in a fist fight with a customer. And he also got into trouble with the cops so he is probably hiding now.” Phoebe answered. Ria and Ma’am Elise were speechless not knowing what to do about the situation. So Ma’am Elise pulled the little girl in for a hug. Phoebe said was true, the doctor confirmed it that Phoenix had appendix and he needed to undergo appendectomy to remove the Vermiform Appendix immediately or he might die. Phoebe had pleaded with the doctor to save her brother that she was going to repay him after she had saved enough little did she know that hospitals don't work that way. Ria knew there was only one way to save Phoenix’s life which was using a part of the money she was sav

H FOR

cting Ma’am Elise to bring in the materials.” Ria replied. "Okay.” Phoenix got back to eating his food. Phoenix loves the sewing business and one of his favorite aspects of sewing is writing down measurement while Phoebe’s job is to take measurement according to Ria’s instructions and at times to confirm the numbers on the tape rule whenever ma’am Elise is not around and she was the one doing the measuring. Phoebe and Phoenix have known about these things even before their dad left. They always work together with Ria whenever their dad wasn’t around to watch them at night and during weekends. They all work together on weekends after Ria must have made sure that they are done with school school works. That excitement of calling out measurement whenever Ria is about to cut a dress makes the children do their school works without being told to do so. At ten now, Phoebe can mend dresses of her age and Ria feels indeed blessed to have them around her because the children have been really helpful to her. They all ate in silence for few minutes until Phoebe dropped her spoon and cleared her throat. "Miss Ria.” She called. "Yes Phoebe.” Ria answered. "Well...actually Phoenix and I have been thinking of everything you have done for us. I mean, you have been really good to us and you have done too much for us even what our parents couldn't do for us. Miss Ria, you enrolled us in a good school, you feed us three times a day and you even give us whatever we need. So we realize that you are just like a mother to us..and that’s why—“ Phoebe shared a look with her brother who winked a sign to signify that she should continue her words. “Phoebe—“ Phoebe interrupted Ria. “Phoenix and I have decided that we stop calling you miss Ria.” Ria arched her eyebrows. “So what do you plan to call me?” She asked. “We want to call you—“ Phoebe paused and urged her brother to say the word. "Mom.” Phoenix completed. "Mom?" Ria repeated. "Yes.” They both chorused. "We want to call you mom since you have decided to raise us as your own children. It’s so kind of you to accept us into your life.” Phoebe added. Ria was silent as the children waited for her to say something. “Perhaps you don’t like it?” Phoenix asked in a low tone. Ria waved her hand in the air. “No..no..that’s not—“ She blinked back tears that threatened to spill any moment from now. She has never thought of having any kid to call her mom but now her adopted children wants to call her mom. Phoenix exchanged glances with his sister when he noticed the sting of tears in his eyes. “You don't have to cry. We only need someone we can look up to as our mother and you fit in that picture.” Phoebe said as they moved closer to her side. Ria sniffed. “No, I am not crying. I am just a bit emotional at the moment.” She plastered a small smile on her face. "This is the best thing that Phoenix and I feel we