“Avery dear, please read this out to me. I can't find my glasses” Ma Jane said, handing over her phone to me. I looked at her screen and saw that it was a message from dad.
“It's from dad,” I said.
“Read it out”
“Hey Jane," I began
“Hope you had a lovely day. I just wanted to say thank you for all you've done for me and Avery. You brought so much joy and warmth to our lives”
I paused, glancing up at Ma Jane who was listening intently. I could sense the mood in the room shift.
“Your kindness means the world to me. I've come to realize that life is too short to let feelings go unexpressed, and I'd like to spend some time with you. Just the two of us. Let me know when it's convenient for you.”
I finished reading the message and a stunned silence hung in the air. I looked up to read Ma
