EPISODE 22: One Smile at a Time
1303 Words
The Bennett residence had always been a lively home.
Not because it was noisy every day.
But because laughter had never been in short supply.
Daniel Bennett loved telling terrible jokes.
Grace Bennett had a habit of singing while she cooked.
Noah would always complain that his father deliberately burnt toast just so his mother would make him another one.
Little things.
Ordinary moments.
Moments that made a house feel like home.
Then...
Months ago...
Something changed.
The laughter became quieter.
The conversations became shorter.
The smiles became fewer.
Daniel and Grace never asked Noah to pretend he was okay.
They knew he wasn't.
So instead...
They simply stayed beside him.
Patiently.
Waiting.
Hoping.
Believing that one day...
Their son would smile the way he used to.
---
Late Monday afternoon...
The familiar sound of the front door opening echoed through the house.
"I'm home."
Noah's voice carried into the living room.
Grace looked up from the sofa where she had been reading a fashion magazine.
"Welcome home, sweetheart."
Daniel lowered the newspaper in his hands.
"How was school?"
Noah slipped off his shoes and smiled.
"It was good."
"Busy?"
"A little."
He walked over and hugged his mother from behind.
Grace laughed softly.
"What was that for?"
"No reason."
"I just felt like it."
Daniel raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
"So your old man doesn't get a hug?"
Noah chuckled before walking over and wrapping an arm around his father's shoulders.
"There."
"Happy?"
Daniel nodded proudly.
"Very."
"You may proceed upstairs."
Grace couldn't help smiling.
There was something different today.
It wasn't anything dramatic.
It was the way Noah walked.
The lightness in his steps.
The relaxed expression on his face.
As Noah climbed the stairs, he found himself humming a tune under his breath.
Grace looked at Daniel.
Daniel looked back at her.
Neither of them spoke.
But both had noticed.
---
An hour later...
The aroma of grilled chicken, garlic butter vegetables and mashed potatoes drifted through the dining room.
Grace placed the last serving dish on the table.
"Dinner's ready."
"I'm coming!" Noah called from upstairs.
A few moments later, he came downstairs wearing a simple black T-shirt and grey sweatpants, his hair still slightly damp from his shower.
He took his usual seat.
Daniel clasped his hands dramatically.
"I'd like to officially thank your mother."
Grace laughed.
"For what now?"
"For continuing to feed us."
"I've decided I don't appreciate you enough."
Grace rolled her eyes.
"You say that every time I cook your favorite meal."
"And I mean it every time."
Noah laughed.
"You two are unbelievable."
"That's why you love us," Daniel replied proudly.
"I never said that."
"Oh?"
Daniel looked at Grace.
"Did you hear him?"
"Our son is denying us."
Grace giggled.
"Eat your food, Daniel."
The three began eating.
For a while, only the soft clinking of cutlery could be heard.
Then Grace looked at Noah.
"So..."
"How are the birthday plans coming?"
Noah swallowed before smiling.
"They're actually coming together really well."
Grace nodded.
"I was wondering why Ava suddenly wanted to spend Wednesday afternoon with me."
Noah grinned.
"That was Ryan's idea."
"He insisted someone had to keep her distracted."
Daniel smiled.
"Is that Ava's stepbrother?"
Noah nodded.
"Yeah. Her younger stepbrother Ryan."
"He's exactly as energetic as he sounds."
Grace rested her chin on her hand.
"I'm listening."
Noah couldn't help laughing.
"Ryan wanted to rent one of those giant inflatable castles."
Daniel blinked.
"For a university student?"
"Exactly."
"I asked him the same question."
Grace covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
"What did he say?"
Noah immediately imitated Ryan's dramatic voice.
«"Age is just a number."»
«"Happiness is forever."»
Daniel burst into laughter.
"I can actually hear him saying that."
"So could I."
Noah laughed.
"Then Liam spent almost ten minutes trying to convince him that an inflatable castle wasn't exactly suitable for a twenty-one-year-old's birthday party."
Grace looked curious.
"Liam?"
Noah nodded.
"Ava's older stepbrother."
"He's the one helping organize everything."
Grace smiled.
"And did Ryan listen?"
"No."
"He suggested adding a popcorn machine instead."
Daniel shook his head.
"That boy has endless ideas."
"Some good..."
"...Most questionable."
The family laughed together.
Grace watched Noah carefully.
He wasn't forcing that laughter.
It came naturally.
He looked...
Comfortable.
Relaxed.
Daniel took another bite before saying,
"That Liam seems like a responsible young man."
"He is."
"Very."
Noah smiled.
"If Ryan comes up with ten ideas..."
"Liam calmly sorts through all ten before choosing the one that actually makes sense."
Grace smiled knowingly.
"So they're balancing each other."
"They really are."
"And Liam is surprisingly patient."
Daniel chuckled.
"He'd have to be."
"He's Ryan's brother."
Noah laughed again.
"True."
Grace noticed something else.
Whenever Noah mentioned Liam...
His expression softened.
Not romantically.
Simply...
Comfortably.
Like he genuinely enjoyed spending time with him.
She didn't say anything.
She simply listened.
Daniel leaned back in his chair.
"What about you?"
"What have you been contributing?"
Noah looked mock offended.
"Excuse me."
"I'm the reason this party hasn't turned into complete chaos."
Grace laughed.
"Oh?"
"Liam and Ryan kept choosing cakes covered in fondant."
Daniel frowned.
"What's wrong with fondant?"
Noah looked horrified.
"Everything."
Grace laughed so hard she nearly dropped her fork.
"Noah..."
"I've seen you peel every bit of fondant off your birthday cakes."
"Exactly."
"So why would Ava want that?"
Daniel raised both hands.
"I surrender."
"You young people are very passionate about cake."
Noah laughed until tears gathered in the corners of his eyes.
"I'll never understand how people willingly eat fondant."
Grace smiled quietly.
There it was again.
That laugh.
Full.
Unrestrained.
She hadn't heard it in such a long time.
Dinner continued with stories, jokes and playful arguments over desserts, movies and Ryan's ridiculous birthday suggestions.
For the first time in months...
The dining room sounded like it used to.
---
After helping clear the table, Noah stretched.
"I should probably finish my assignment before tomorrow."
Grace nodded.
"Don't stay up too late."
"I won't."
Daniel smiled.
"Goodnight, son."
"Goodnight."
Noah had barely reached his bedroom when his phone buzzed.
He smiled when he saw the name on the screen.
Liam Asterion.
«Liam: Good evening.»
«I think I've found another bakery.»
«Before you ask... yes, they specialize in chocolate cakes.»
Noah laughed softly.
He quickly typed back.
«Noah: Finally.»
«I was beginning to think convincing you would take another month.»
A reply arrived almost instantly.
«Liam: Let's not exaggerate.»
«It only took me one afternoon to admit defeat.»
Noah grinned.
«Noah: That's character development.»
Three dots appeared.
Then...
«Liam: Don't let Ryan hear you say that.»
«He'll think I've become weak.»
Noah laughed again.
«Noah: Too late.»
«I'm definitely telling him.»
«Liam: Traitor.»
Noah shook his head, still smiling.
«Noah: Sleep early.»
«You've got classes tomorrow.»
A few seconds later...
«Liam: Only if you promise to do the same.»
Noah's smile lingered.
«Noah: Deal.»
He placed his phone on the bedside table and opened his laptop.
Yet every few minutes...
He found himself smiling for no particular reason.
---
Downstairs...
Daniel was rinsing the dinner plates while Grace carefully dried them.
Neither spoke for a while.
The kitchen was peaceful.
Only the sound of running water filled the room.
Finally...
Daniel broke the silence.
"Did you notice?"
Grace smiled faintly.
"I noticed."
Daniel placed another plate in the rack.
"He laughed."
Grace nodded.
"He did."
"And not just once."
She folded the dish towel slowly.
Our boy..."
"He's coming back."
She nodded.
Grace leaned her head against his shoulder.
"I don't know who..."
"Or what..."
"Has helped him take this step."
"Maybe it's spending more time with Ava."
"But I hope..."
She smiled softly.
"I hope whoever is making him smile..."
"Continues to be kind to him."
Daniel kissed the top of her head.
"So do I."
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