“Mama,” Nia said, carefully folding the eggs onto a plate. Why do you think Mr. Whitmore lives all alone in that big house? Rashelle’s hands paused briefly as she wrapped a banana in a paper napkin. Sometimes people carry heavy things in their hearts, baby. Sometimes being alone feels safer. She reached for the clean dish towel they used to wrap the breakfast.
But that’s why kindness matters so much. It reminds people they’re not really alone, even when they want to be. Na asked, watching her mother’s careful movements. Especially then, Relle’s voice was gentle but firm. Remember what I always tell you about kindness. It’s a duty, not a favor, Nia recited, standing a little straighter.
She loved the way her mother’s eyes crinkled with pride whenever she remembered these important lessons. Together they wrapped the breakfast carefully, the warm plate of eggs and toast, the banana and a paper napkin, all bundled in the clean white dish towel. It was like wrapping a present every morning. Nia thought.
