I found myself ensconced in the solitude of my room that morning, the minutes stretching into what felt like an eternity. My ears strained to catch the muted sounds of life filtering through my closed door. The floorboards groaned softly beneath the tread of footsteps as my mom and Elijah emerged from her room, their voices a gentle hum that floated toward me. I could picture them descending the staircase, their laughter intertwining with the rhythmic creaks of the wood.
As they reached the kitchen, the alluring scent of freshly brewed coffee permeated the air, wrapping around me like a warm embrace. It was a familiar, comforting aroma that signaled the start of a new day, a reminder of our simple routines before they ventured out into the world. I envisioned Elijah, dressed for work, ca
