The morning was as cold as ever, but it was nothing I couldn’t handle. I shivered, teeth steadily chattering and at one point I had to close my eyes to focus on emitting some body heat in order to not pass out right there and then.

The path I was walking on was all too familiar for me. Leave the house. Turn left upon reaching the pet store. Turn right. Turn left. Another left. Across the park and there it is.

But that was then. More specifically, that was 3 days ago.

The park was in its usual proper, serene order.  I could see all the families walking around, basically spending some quality time together,  the balding trees being the only indication that it wasn’t actually spring. Why, I wondered, as a couple of excited children ran past me, why would anybody want to visit the park at this time of year?

I tightened the scarf around my neck.

                                                                                                           ***

“Look who finally decided to show up.”

Father’s glare was unforgiving. I hadn’t as much as walked past the door and I’d already caught both of my parents’ eyes. I lowered my gaze, knowing all too well what I was going to have to endure. I slowly walked over to their table and sat down in the empty seat.

The restaurant was empty, which, if considered on a normal weekend, was quite unusual. Did they reserve the whole restaurant this time? I wouldn’t be surprised.

Father was a very busy man. But every Sunday, he would go out of his way to reserve a table at this absurdly fancy restaurant not too far from the park for us three to have lunch at.

Father and the owner of the restaurant became fast friends. That place opened around 7 years ago, and we’ve been having our Sunday lunc