As usual, Dad's face was hiding behind a newspaper when I got to the dining table. Uncle Liam had started serving and all I had to do was to eat. All the little talk before eating wasn't necessary. I sat down and served myself then dug into my meal. It was rice, mutton stew with orange juice. Not the greatest meal but who cares. I was famished and I wasn't talking to anybody and everybody.

The moment Uncle Liam left, I heard the paper rustling as Dad placed it on the table and felt his eyes on me. I kept my head down and kept eating like it was the...