Jessamine dropped loose coins onto it and mockingly told him the guests were collecting money to send him back to an orphanage.
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Chapter 15 / 17
Chapter 15
At eight, Tobin attended another engagement reception.
Different couple.
Different garden.
He saw a bowl of coins near a fountain used for wishes.
He stopped.
I noticed.
“You okay?”
He nodded.
Then:
“Can throw?”
“Sure.”
He took one coin.
Closed his eyes.
Tossed it into the water.
No shaking.
No rattling dessert plate.
No adult watching for symbolism.
I asked:
“What did you wish?”
“Secret.”
Good.
The object had become ordinary again without intervention.
That pleased me more than any planned reclamation could have.
Then he asked for cake.
Actual cake.
I gave him a piece.
May you like
He took two bites and abandoned it for strawberries.
Children disrespect symbolism beautifully.
