While Stuart battled with emotions, a round of applause filled the dining room, and he looked up only to see the happy faces of the family, looking at him with proud smiles. Though he was happy to be celebrated like this, there was this feeling of emptiness gnawing at his heart, telling him that there was something missing. He then realized that he was like this because it wasn't his own family. Maybe the realization that his family didn't do this for him was the cause of the loneliness he felt even though he was surrounded by happy faces. Marie had called to congratulate him but she wasn't here to celebrate.
When he felt this empty, how could he smile and d be happy?
