Laughter was all that was heard in the room as the family of four had their breakfast. It was a very special day moment for Alexanderia as it had been more than a year since she had meal together with her parents and brother.
As the morning sun shone through the french window, Alexanderia caught a gleam of her silver ring and wondered, 'Did he receive my letter?' Shaking her head as if to clear her head, she diverted her attention back to the table, telling herself not to dwell in the past and enjoy her present.
At the table, she saw a scene that always made her smile - her parents, Mr and Mrs Roosevelt acting like newlyweds, so much in love, even after twenty five years of marriage. Then there was her brother Alexander busy filling her plate saying she needs to put on weight. Though everything felt in place, deep down she knew that it was never going to be the same. She could see that her parents and brother were trying to stay strong and create a jolly environment for for her. But in their eyes she saw the uncertainty and fear she was feeling. All she could think of was about how things change so quickly without a warning. How life is a bittersweet fruit. Though she knew she had a strom to face she felt lucky and blessed to have her family by her side.
Breaking down her chain of thoughts, Alexanderia heard the gentle voice of her mother asking, 'Worried?' Placing her hand on her mother's, she gave a reassuring smile and said, 'No. Just thinking how much I missed this - us having meal together.' Alexander who knew his little sister like the back of his hand, messed up her hair and in a caring tone, told her, 'Don't worry. Everything is going to be okay.' Sensing she had making the atmosphere tense, Alexanderia started sharing funny and hilarious incidents that happened during her time in school with her father chipping in his childhood stories. Laughter and smile again filled the room, making her wish he was there with her. With a sad smile she finished her food and asked her parents, 'What time do I've to leave?' 'Around noon. Anything wrong princess?' asked her father, while her mother and brother looked at her with worried gaze. Reassuring them that everything was fine, she went to her room knowing that she had time in her hand, pop in some pills and took out a beautiful carved wooden box from her beside drawer before sitting on her bed.
Alexanderia carefully opened the box and stared at the box full of letters and gifts with a sad smile and teary eyes. She than took out a letter and said to herself, 'It all started with a simple letter but ended with a complicated one.'