Chapter 28

Joseph was unaware and let go of Samantha's hands. He slowly knelt, opened his arms, and smiled. "Here, Alex. Come to Uncle Joe." Upon hearing Joseph's voice, Alex suddenly turned around and dashed toward him. Alex kept shouting incessantly, "Uncle Joe! Uncle Joe! Uncle Joe is here! Alex loves Uncle Joe!" Alex leaped into Joseph's arms, and Joseph carried him up with a wide grin. "Have you been listening to Mommy when Uncle Joe wasn't around, Alex?" Alex nodded enthusiastically, resembling a bobblehead. "Yes! Yes! Carry me, Uncle Joe!" Alex extended his arms to Joseph. Joseph gently lifted Alex and cradled him. Yvonne felt relieved and complained, "Don't listen to him, Joe. He's only a good boy when you're here. He's usually like a little imp, always annoying me." Alex pouted and cupped his chubby hands around Joseph's ears. "Those are bad words! Don't listen to them!" Joseph smiled even wider. "Oh. So Alex doesn't want me to listen to Mommy's bad words about Alex, huh?