I stared into Sophia's eyes and gasped for breath. Instead of fighting back, I tapped her hands with no force.
Maybe my calmness snapped her out—Sophia suddenly realized what she was doing and then let go.
"Oh my God, I'm so sorry, hon," she said.
Tears spilled down her face as she cradled her head in her hands.
She murmured, "Maybe I should just be alone..."
"It's okay, Sophia. I'm fine, really." I patted her back and gently rubbed her shoulder, trying to soothe her.
"Remember our high school? You, me, and Carl skipped class to watch the meteor shower? It was supposed to be a once-in-a-lifetime event, and they said if you made a wish, it'd come true. Carl wished to be popular. You wished for a happy family, a loving husband, and a cute kid. I wished to be a painter. Funny enough, th
