Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

"Jenna, there's no boogeyman, sweetheart..."

Sherilyn was frantic, trying to soothe her daughter's fears. "Sherilyn."

But Gilbert shook his head at her, "Let me handle this..."

"?" Sherilyn was momentarily puzzled, unsure of what he could possibly do, but she nodded in agreement.

Gilbert bent down to look at the little figure cradled in his arms, starting softly, "Actually, there is a boogeyman, and I saw him too."

"Mr. Gilbert saw him too?" Jenna's eyes, filled with tears, looked up in surprise.

"Yes, I did." Gilbert, holding Jenna close, sat down at the edge of the bed, his voice gentle and reassuring.

"I did more than see him; I chased him away."

"Wow..."

Miraculously, Jenna's eyes sparkled with admiration, looking up to him as if he were a hero.

"Did Mr. Gilbert save Jenna?"

"That's right."

With her being so irresistibly sweet, Gilbert leaned down to kiss her forehead, "So, Jenna, you don't have to be afraid anymore. The boogeyman has been chased away and can't hurt you now." "Mhm!"

Jenna nodded vigorously, her little arms wrapping tightly around Gilbert's neck. "Mr. Gilbert is so cool!" Sherilyn, standing to the side, was speechless, her expression a mix of relief and bemusement.

She had been so worried about scaring Jenna that she kept insisting there was no boogeyman... So, this was another way to comfort her.

"Mr. Gilbert is hurt!"

Jenna noticed Gilbert's bandaged left hand, her eyes widening, "Did the boogeyman do that?" "Yes, he did."

Gilbert held his chin high, showing off his arm with a hint of pride.

This was a wound he got for his daughter, a badge of his love.

"Does it hurt, Mr. Gilbert?" Jenna's face fell, her lips pouting, ready to cry again.

"It does hurt."

Gilbert presented his left hand to her, "But if Jenna blows on it, it won't hurt anymore."

"Really!"

Jenna, without a hint of doubt, puffed up her cheeks and gently blew on his bandaged hand.

"Hoo, hoo... Go away, pain! Does it still hurt, Mr. Gilbert?"

"Wow! Jenna, you're amazing!"

Gilbert pulled his arm back, lowering his head to meet Jenna's forehead, warmth radiating from his eyes and smile. "Thanks to Jenna, it doesn't hurt at all now!"

"Yay! That's awesome..."

Sherilyn watched silently, unable to suppress a smile.

These two, one daring to tell such stories, the other believing them wholeheartedly...

Jenna clung to Gilbert, refusing to leave. In her eyes, Mr. Gilbert was her 'hero,' the only source of safety she trusted. "Jenna."

Sherilyn tried to put on a stern face, "Listen, Mr. Gilbert needs to rest."

"Mommy, but Mr. Gilbert..." Jenna protested, burrowing further into Gilbert's embrace.

"Jenna..."

"It's okay."

Gilbert, his heart going out to his daugled at Sherilyn, "

Jenna stay here. I enjoy her

company, and she's still

This convinced Sherilyn.

"Alright then." Sherilyn sighed softly, cautioning him, "If you're not feeling well, you must tell me."

"I will."

But as the night deepened and Jenna fell asleep again, Gilbert didn't utter a word of complaint.

Not until Sherilyn had carried Jenna to the

she

arext room and returned did belongs to en.FindNovel an

Gilbert, clutching his

arm, kneeling by the bed.

"Gilbert?"

Sherilyn rushed to his side in alarm, "What's wrong?"

"Sherilyn..." Gilbert looked up at her, attempting a smile that looked more like a grimace. He had intended to stay strong, but the words that came out were, "It hurts so much!" Considering the time, the anesthesia must have worn off completely.

Fingers to the heart, how could it not e hurt? His pain was so intense that his lips had turned pale, and his forehead was covered in

Susweat.