It was her mother’s birthday, and Alice loved these family evenings. But this time, someone was missing—her grandfather Ted wasn’t invited. Even asking a simple question “Why?” made her mother shout, which was rare. Still, Alice knew her grandfather needed help, and she was ready to give it.
Alice sat at the dinner table, the warm glow of candles flickering around the room and casting shadows on the walls. Her parents, Lisa and Terry, were smiling and chatting, celebrating her mother’s birthday.
The table was covered in delicious dishes—roast chicken, mashed potatoes, and freshly baked bread.
The smell of the meal filled the air, comforting and familiar, yet Alice couldn’t focus on the joy around her. She sat quietly, picking at her food, her thoughts far away.
