Chapter 57 Your Mother Is Not Dead

• Now that he was full, little Leo had time to investigate his surroundings as his mother put the food things inside the bag. It didn't take long for his eyes to encounter his grandfather's and he burped loudly as he focused on the man's face.
• "What's his name, Mara?", Mr. Johnson asked.
• "Leo," Mara answered. But suddenly, it occurred to her for the first time that her son had no surname! He would soon be old enough to walk and that would be followed by kindergarten. How would she register him in school? What name would he bear? The shameful and yet funny part was that she had no knowledge or remembrance – she was not sure which – of Mel's surname. But even if she did, she would not want her son to have anything to do with it for fear of him of turning out to be like Mel. The mere thought of it made her shudder. But if not Mel's, whose name would he bear? Certainly not hers. He had to bear a man's surname which was why she had to get married as soon as possible and to Leo too. She just could not think of getting married to any other man.