I came downstairs and found that the house was quiet. Dad's most probably at work, and my mom was out, either at a charity meeting or at work also. I was alone in the house, which was good because I needed the quiet after that memory and had surfaced during the call with Nina.
I decided to make actual food instead of just grabbing snacks. I prepared a real meal, a salad with grilled chicken. I took my time with it, chopping the vegetables carefully, cooking everything properly, and plating it nicely.
I sat down at the kitchen table with my plate in front of me, a glass of water beside it, and my phone nearby. The sunlight was streaming through the windows, making everything feel peaceful and warm.
I took a bite and realized it was good. I was actually really hungry, even though I ate in
