I blinked, still processing what I was seeing — the pencils, the open textbooks, the untouched plate of cookies I had left earlier.
I felt a wave of guilt wash over me.
“Oh… I’m fine,” I stammered, trying to hide my embarrassment. “Just checking if you two needed more cookies.”
Her boyfriend smiled nervously. “We’re okay, thank you, Mrs. Carter.”
Lily tilted her head, studying me like only a daughter can. “You sure, Mom?”
I nodded quickly. “Completely sure.” Then I backed out of the room, closing the door gently behind me.
A Moment of Reflection
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