Chapter 16
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It was Sunday, and since Lucas attended a local university, Sundays were the rare days he could come home to visit his family.
Born into poverty, his parents had worked themselves into ill health through years of hard labor. By the time Lucas reached high,
school, they were no longer able to work.
His family had no savings, but Lucas‘ dedication to his studies had earned him scholarships and financial aid that helped cover
his education. It was that determination that allowed him to stay in school and eased some of his parents‘ worries.
When it came time to choose a university, Lucas opted for the best one in the city, close enough to home so he could visit his
parents regularly. Every week, he carved out time to be with them.
Today, as he climbed down from the attic, the clock read 4 p.m. His parents were in the living room, hurriedly packing the fruit he
had brought back into his bag, trying to return it to him.
Hearing him come down, their hands moved even faster.
Lucas sighed and stepped forward, gently stopping them.
Taking the fruit back out of the bag, he said with a mix of exasperation and affection, “Dad, Mom, I bought these for you. The
school provides me with meals and a stipend. I don’t need to hoard these. You both need to eat well and take care of yourselves.”
His father shook his head, clearly unconvinced, and tried to push the fruit back into Lucas‘ bag.
“Don’t think I don’t know,” his father said. “Even with those stipends, if you’re giving us the fruit, it means you’re not eating it
yourself. Fruit is expensive, and as a student, you’re already taking care of us. You need it more than we do.”
Lucas frowned, his tone firm but teasing. “Dad, you’re just making excuses. If you two keep refusing everything I bring, next time
I’ll drop it off and leave without even coming inside to visit.”
Feigning annoyance, he stuffed the fruit back into their hands and grabbed his bag as if preparing to storm out.
His parents exchanged a glance, helpless against his stubbornness, and reluctantly accepted the fruit.
When it was time for him to leave, they walked him to the door, reluctant to let him go. They wished he could visit more often, yet
they didn’t want him to make the trip too frequently and tire himself out.
Lucas was their only child, and their love for him was boundless. Knowing they had become a burden to him weighed heavily on their hearts, filling them with guilt and self–reproach.
But Lucas always dismissed their apologies with a smile.
