Madeline returned home after a visit to the hospital. She saw her brother playing video games in the living room, and the breakfast she prepared was left untouched.
"Why don't you eat breakfast?" Madeline asked. "That pancake is cold now."
As usual, Nathan ignored her, and she wasn't surprised. The disrespect had become so common between them, so she wasn't bothered by it.
Madeline sighed. She sat on the sofa right next to him, and Nathan quickly scooted away from her as if she were a deadly virus he had to avoid.
Madeline knew there was no point in trying to make him understand her situation. So she decided to break the news immediately, "I'm going to fly tomorrow and stay in Bali for a month."
Nathan finally paused his game. He turned his head towards Madeline and stared at her in silence.
It took them a moment of awkward silence until he asked, "Why?"
