A Walk with Mother, and a Promise

Sunlight slowly spread across the kitchen floor.

Steam rose lazily from the broth simmering in the pot,

while Arwen sat at the table eating bread and sniffing.

I straightened the blankets, then moved carefully, gently pressing my lower back.

“Are you all right?”

A voice came from behind me.

It was Claude.

He had stayed by my side since early morning, keeping his eyes on me.

I smiled brightly and nodded.

He was usually such a late riser, yet he’d gotten up early on purpose…...