mandy lamented，“how do you know this is the best for me? I could have led another life.....”l

“I don't think it's the right attitude for life. It seems you will always be regretting over your each and every choice or decision.” there was an edge to his voice， but he stayed cool，“Stop paring with others' lives and stop moaning for more. the fisherman and his wife should have been contented with what they have received from the gold fish and they'd better not beg for more than they deserved.”

mandy remarked with a dangerous tone，“Are you telling me I don't deserve the best of life?”

Lock sensed something，“don't twist it. You know what I meant. You would never be able to figure out what the best is when you were sixteen.”

mandy murmured as if she had been in a dream，“how I wish to be sixteen again， care free.”

Lock came nearer to her， and hugged her， leaving his wheelchair behind，“the point is， whatever happens to you， from now on to sixty or ninety， you will always have us.”

mandy burst into tears，“I have nothing except you and the kids. I feel cold. this world looks at me with vicious eyes.”

“You can always count on us，” Lock promised，“I give you my word. there's no parting of us until one dies. Stay positive and cherish every minute.”

mandy leaned against Lock's shoulder， totally forgetting he should not have stood up and supported her weight.“I won't fall for it. they look as if worried for me but I guess they really enjoyed themselves seeing me almost crashed.”

she looked at Lock and was suddenly startled，“I was almost taken in....... I shouldn't have told them how I broke down......I would never let them receive the wrong message as if my life were a joke.”

“don't over respond.” Lock said，“they are your friends， and they showed concerns about our life. the more pathetic we look， the funnier it would be when they know what we're really like.”

“Yes， some of them did try to ruin my self-esteem and nearly convinced me to pity myself. how can one be so mean?”

Lock suggested，“I've e up with an idea. why don't we hold a party?” he hesitated，“does any of them have a family?”

“No， none of them do. people don't get married these days， I guess they are afraid to give mitments.” mandy formed a smile as though she felt sorry for her friends.

“So， that settles everything.” Lock smiled back，“we invite a bunch of kids.”

“do we know other kids besides those in oscar's kindergarten?” mandy asked.

“oh， of course we do，” announced Lock，“there are plenty of kids， Asian， Latino， and black in the children's hospital. this will be a fund -raising party for disabled children， and me as well.” Lock sat back into the wheelchair as quickly as his knees allowed to carry him， which amused mandy like hell.

“Since they are so kind， sure they don't mind donating some dollars for the good course?” Lock questioned.

“that's really nice of you. All of my friends would be very thankful if they are offered a chance to show that they really care for the handicapped.” mandy bit her lips， trying hard not to laugh.

“I suddenly remember I have one or two acquaintances on the press.” Lock sneered，“they would die to see me on the move again.”