On a winter night in New York, Colin, holding a can of light beer cheaper than bottled water, leaned lazily on the living room sofa. Without turning on the television, his gaze was tenderly fixed on Bessie, who sat in front of the roaring fireplace, her cheeks aglow with the firelight, discussing extracurricular reading topics with Mrs. Morgan, the family tutor.
Although he couldn't understand what exactly Mrs. Morgan and his daughter were talking about, it just felt warm.
His son Tommy at the far end of the living room, was quietly conversing with Sophia about something. If he could replace Sophia with Odelia, and add Tony and Ashley beside them, Colin would feel his life was nearly complete, with nothing left but to wait for God's call to ascend into heaven and reunite with his wife Alida in the kingdom above.
