Elena sat by the window with a blanket draped over her shoulders, watching the snow fall softly outside. She sipped her tea, her thoughts drifting to the food drive. Though she couldn’t be there, she imagined the laughter, the camaraderie, and the impact it was having on their community. She had promised her mother and herself that she was going to tell Adam the truth about her illness tonight. No more procrastination. No more waiting for the right time.
Grace walked into the house to find Elena still curled up on the couch, a cup of tea in her hand.
“Hi, sweetheart,” Grace said, shrugging off her coat and hanging it by the door.
Elena looked up, a small smile gracing her lips. “Hey, Mom. How was the food drive?”
“It went well,” Grace replied, sitting beside her. “Adam, Steve, Maria, a
