The Unlucky Turn by Mark Twain 325
Milford patted his mother’s back. “Mom, rest assured. At the very least, Yvonne is physically safe with Leilani. I’ll have someone keep an eye on her from a distance just in case.”
Meanwhile, after hanging up with Milford, Yvonne’s mood had clearly plummeted again.
Leilani gently patted her shoulder, offering silent comfort.
Yvonne wiped away her tears and forced a smile. “Leilani, I’m fine. Let’s go in.”
As the elevator slowly ascended, Yvonne leaned against the cold metal wall, her voice raspy. “Leilani, am I being too selfish?”
For the past four years, while she was paralyzed in bed, Gloria had been the one taking care of her. Making Gloria sad didn’t sit right with her.
Leilani shook her head. “That’s not being selfish. That’s having boundaries.”
She looked at Yvonne with a steady gaze. “If a person can’t even care about the truth, then what’s the point of living?”
Yvonne stunned for a moment, then nodded heavily. “You’re right.”
She had already caused Leilani enough trouble today. She was afraid that if she stayed depressed, she would just be a drag on Leilani. Yvonne took a deep breath and plastered a big smile on her face. “Leilani, I’m okay now.”
Leilani glanced at her, and a thought suddenly crossed her mind. She looked at Yvonne and spoke abruptly. “How about… we don’t go home just yet?”
Yvonne blinked, looked up at her, and let out a confused “Huh?”
She didn’t understand what Leilani meant. They were already in the elevator. Where else would they go?
The corners of Leilani’s lips curled up, her eyes full of mirth. “I want you to accompany me somewhere.”
“Where?”
“The shooting range.”
Yvonne blinked again, looking bewildered. “Now?”
Leilani nodded. “Yeah. I suddenly feel like firing off a few rounds. Just keep me company, okay?”
Yvonne paused, then realized Leilani was giving her an outlet to vent her emotions. She felt a sting in her nose, and her guilt deepened.
Compared to Leilani, what did her little grievances amount to? Leilani had been framed, spent four years in prison, was abandoned by everyone, and lost everything. Yet she never wallowed in misery or gave up on
herself.
And what about herself? Just because she suffered a little injustice, she was crying and trying to escape reality.
Yvonne took a deep breath, her gaze firming up. “Okay, let’s go to the shooting range!”
She couldn’t be this emotional anymore! So what if she ran away from home? It wasn’t the end of the world. She needed to be like
Leilani-strong!
…
Half an hour later, at the shooting range.
The sharp crack of gunfire echoed through the enclosed space. Bullet after bullet hit the bullseye with precision.
Leilani took off her safety glasses and looked at Yvonne beside her. “You
70-12
want to try?”
Yvonne nodded. Nervous, she took the handgun and mimicked Leilani’s stance, aiming at the target.
“Bang!”
Yvonne’s first shot missed the target completely. She bit her lip, unwilling to give up. She fired again.
“Bang!”
This time, she grazed the edge of the target.
Leilani chuckled softly. “You need to firm up your wrist.” She walked behind Yvonne, gently holding her wrist to adjust her posture. “Slow
down your breathing. Aim, then pull the trigger.”
Feeling the warmth from Leilani’s hand on her wrist, Yvonne’s heart began to race inexplicably. She took a deep breath, followed Leilani’s
instructions, and pulled the trigger again.
“Bang!”
admin