"Crystal, I'm really worried about you," Martin Riley said, trying to express his concern. But Crystal Foster placed a gentle hand over his mouth.
"Martin, I promise I'll come back safe and sound. I won't let anything happen to me."
She paused for a moment before continuing, "The truth is, I don't want you to come along because I'd be worried about you too. If you're with me, I'd be too focused on you to concentrate on the free clinic work."
She stood on her tiptoes and gave him a quick kiss on the chin. "I'll be gone for a week at most. Just stay home and wait for me, okay?"
With her sweet voice and playful expression, Martin surrendered immediately, though he still couldn't shake off his worry and reminded her a few more times.
Otto, however, was not so easily convinced. Upon hearing that Crystal was going away, he stuck to her side for days, almost like he wanted to glue himself to her.
"Mommy, where are you going? Why can't Otto come with you?"
