Eric furrowed his eyebrows, looking puzzled. He was positive that his mother had cooked it. He was certain of it. However, he couldn’t think why she would have changed it. Did she not like it? Had it been something else? He opened his mouth to ask her another question but before he managed to, she spoke again.

“I’ll be fine. I can’t stay here forever,” she whispered softly, staring intently at the ground.

She was silent.

Eric swallowed hard and reached out his hand to gently grab her arm, forcing her to look at him.

“What are you talking about?” he asked worriedly. “Stay here forever? Where will you go?...