On a rainy Saturday, Mrs. Thompson suggested they bake cookies together. Lily hadn't baked much before, but Mrs. Thompson assured her that it would be fun. They put on aprons and mixed ingredients, laughing as flour dusted the countertops and chocolate chips spilled onto the floor. Mrs. Thompson shared stories from her own childhood, and Lily found herself laughing, the gloomy weather outside forgotten. When they took the cookies out of the oven, the whole house was filled with a warm, comforting smell. Biting into the first cookie, Lily felt an unexpected burst of happiness. It became their tradition—whenever a gloomy day came, they would bake together. Each time, Lily felt a little closer to healing, and Mrs. Thompson's house felt a little more like home.