Lilah offered him a supportive smile. "Go ahead, we'll be fine.

Jerrold and I will wait here for you."

"Thanks." Gerard nodded, and then leaned down to Jerrold's level.

"Buddy, I need to step away for a little bit for work. Can you stay here with your mom until I get back?"

“Sure, Dad," Jerrold replied, his grip on Lilah's hand tightening but his demeanor calm, ready to enjoy the rest of the day just with his mom.

Gerard spun around and walked off.

Lilah watched him leave, and then turned to Jerrold, saying, "Hey Jerrold, where do you want to go next? Let's move."

She grabbed his hand and headed toward the bustling crowd.

Remembering the last time Jerrold had been kidnapped in the mall, she was extra careful.

An hour passed. It was almost noon and Gerard still hadn't shown up.

Worried, she asked, “Jerrold, you hungry yet? Want to grab a bite?"

"Sure." Jerrold nodded.

They went to a fried chicken stall. While waiting in line, Lilah told Jerrold, "Stay close, okay? No running off."

Jerrold nodded seriously.

After a while, they finally reached the front of the queue.

As Lilah paid, Jerrold glanced around and saw a girl across the way who seemed familiar.

The girl held a stick of cotton candy, and then a chubby boy beside her snatched it away. They argued, and suddenly the girl burst into tears.

Jerrold dashed over.

As he approached, he heard the chubby boy teasing, "Cry louder, silly.

Maybe I'll give your cotton candy back if you cry harder. Come on, come and get it!"

Jerrold marched over to the chubby boy, fuming. "What's your deal?

Give her back the cotton candy."

The chubby boy, feeling miffed that someone smaller was telling him what to do, snapped back, "Who do you think you are? You got some nerve talking to me like that. What's it to you anyway? Did I steal from you? Back off, or I'll mess you up!"

At home, everyone bowed to his every whim, showing him respect.