Chapter 1523

Mason took his hand off the photo frame and walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window. He reached into his pocket, pulled out a cigarette and lighter, and lit one up. He took a drag and slowly exhaled a smoke ring. He gazed out at the night scene. The flowers in the yard had withered, and the leaves on the two large ginkgo trees had long fallen, though a few evergreens still stood resilient. The small yard felt like a reflection of life itself. Some things would come, others would go. By next spring, new buds would sprout, fresh grass would emerge, and new flowers would blow again. Time could take everything away, and it could change everything too. After another drag, Mason thought back to Jasmine's antics from earlier. His smile tinged with resignation. He couldn't really blame her—everyone else had found someone, and he was the only one still single. Though Mason usually seemed carefree, he was deeply sentimental. Otherwise, he wouldn't still be thinking about his high schoo