KADE

I got out of bed at the crack of dawn the next morning and made my way downstairs. The scent of pancakes wafted throughout the house, and I followed it to the kitchen.

My mother was busy at the counter, mixing flour, eggs, sugar, and some of the other things scattered on the kitchen table that I was too distracted to pay attention to.

“Morning, Mom,” I said and leaned against the door. “Sleep well?”

“Hello, Kade,” she said with a smile as she turned to meet my gaze, then pointed at the pancakes. “Want some?”

“Yes, please,” I answered and took a pancake from the bowl. It was...