The cold finally drives me back home. Before entering the house, I take off Mel's jacket. The house is oddly dark and empty. Everyone seems to have retreated to their rooms. I hang the jacket on a hook in the hallway and head to the second floor. The door to my mother's room is slightly open, and I can hear muffled sobs.

Oh... God, give me strength...

I lean my guitar against the railing and go into my mother's room. She sits in front of an ornate mirror - the only thing that seems grand and out of place in our humble house. The rest of the decor matches the age of the place.

I sit on a pouf near the door, and my mother hastily wipes her eyes, giving me a reproachful look in the mirror's reflection. "Weren't you taught to knock?"

"Sorry, the door was open..."

Mom continues to sob and wipes her eyes with a handkerchief. "What did I do wrong?" She shakes her head sadly. "Melly is following in my footsteps! Everything I've done - I've done for you all! And what's the result? Everyone's unhappy! And all this squabbling! Don't think I don't see it! I see everything! I'm like a UFO above the fields - invisible but watching, unable to do anything but draw circles for you!"

I struggle to suppress a smile as my mom goes on, "I've lived a long life, maybe even too long..."

"Mom..."

"Don't mom me! I've lived my life! I just wanted to see Melly's wedding. I told everyone! Now I have to come up with something..."

"Mom, nobody cares!"

"What will people say?!"

"Screw these people!"

"Bah!" She throws up her hands. "That's what it comes to! I raised some sort of sociopath!"

"Mom," I try to reason, but my chances of success seem slim. "I just wanted to say that it's not so bad."

"What do you know? You yourself are struggling like a fish out of water!"

"And that's okay... I think no one really knows what they're doing, and we're all trying to find our own way in life. You're amazing, and your pine nut muffins are just awesome, you know? And you raised four kids all by yourself! And also... We always had the best Christmas celebrations that made everyone green with envy!"

Finally, a glimmer of light appears in my mom's eyes, and she smiles through her tears.

"And maybe we're not a model family, but we will not let any of our people get hurt, you know?" I sincerely smile at her.

"I didn't even realize what kind of person you've become," she affectionately pats my cheek. "Okay, okay." She wipes her tears away. "Let's not lose hope! Let's bake some muffins!" She laughs and kisses me on the cheek, walking into the corridor. I follow her and retreat to my room, where I gently place my guitar on its stand and lie down on the bed without bothering to undress.

Soon, the aroma of my mother's pastries fills the house, and one by one, all family members emerge into the dining room, enticed by the delightful scent. We eat the muffins in silence, but at least, there's no bickering. Suddenly, there comes a knock at the door, and we exchange wary glances.

Mom goes to check, "Who's there?"

"I'm looking for Guinevere. Guinevere Charleston," a deep voice echoes from behind the door. We all listen intently.

"It's me! But it's quite late for guests, don't you think?"

"Guinevere, it's me, Richard!"

Again, we exchange puzzled looks. Melinda repeats the name in a whisper with a questioning tone, looking at me, and I just shrug. Curiosity piques Stacey's interest, too, and she climbs onto a chair as if it'd let her see through the door.

"Richard?" Mom says, taken aback, and her gaze drifts to the side as if she's trying to recollect. "Richard!" She exclaims and opens the door.

There's... a massive bouquet of roses standing on the threshold. Well, actually, a man is holding it, but the bouquet is so huge that he's almost hidden behind it. He struggles to squeeze through the door opening.

We all, even Todd, who usually doesn't give a damn, crane our necks to get a better view. The man appears to be mature in age, but this only gives him great imposingness. He's dressed in an expensive suit, his slicked-back gray hair complemented by a well-groomed beard. With a grand gesture, he presents the lavish bouquet to my mother, who accepts it with trembling hands.

"I... really..." she stutters and blushes. "Richard, how is this... possible?"

"I've been looking for you for a long time! And finally, I found you!" he exclaims, looking around the room at each of us.

"These... these are my children," mom utters.

"Wonderful children!" He exclaims. "I'm so glad I found you. All these years, I couldn't forget you. And I want to talk to you about so many things. Will you let me invite you to dine with me tonight? Forgive me for the unexpected visit, but I couldn't wait a minute longer after arriving!"

Stunned, mom blinks wordlessly, and the rest of us stand frozen in shock. Even Mel has stopped chewing her muffin. We're all just waiting for something. Suddenly, another person appears from behind Richard.

"Good evening," the young man says.

Wait a minute...

"Dad," he turns to the man. "I told you it's better to postpone everything until tomorrow. It's late now, and everyone is tired. All of this is unexpected for Mrs. Charleston."

Wait a minute...

"Yes, yes, you're right," Richard agrees. "Where are my manners? Forgive me, Guinevere, for taking you by surprise," he warmly kisses my mother's hands, and she blushes even more, looking more embarrassed than we ever thought possible. "Then, tomorrow. Let's have a big family dinner, what do you say?"

Mom just nods in amazement. "Yes, dinner is good. I can cook dinner..."

Richard shakes his head, "There's no need for you to cook anything! I'll have Nolan pick you and your children up at one o'clock. Speaking of whom, this is my son, Nolan," he gestures at the guy. "He'll come to get you all and take you to our yacht at the pier."

"On a yacht?" Mom says breathlessly. The muffin falls out of Mel's hands.

"Yes, that's right. We've docked at the east pier. I'll be waiting! Sorry again for the suddenness of all this."

"Good night to you all!" Nolan looks around, stopping his gaze at me and giving a smile.

It's that coxcomb! I knew he had a yacht!

Richard and Nolan leave the house, and we all remain in a daze for a while. Suddenly, Stacey loudly exclaims, "Hurray, we're going to ride a yacht!" and jumps on Todd, nearly knocking him off balance. Melinda flies up to our mother, takes the bouquet, and puts it on the table.

"Mom! Is there something you want to tell us?" Mel asks, her tone demanding answers. I stand aside, but I'm ready to grasp every word. I'm terribly curious to know who is Richard and who the hell is Nolan.

But mom sits with a dreamy look as if she's been carried away into her distant memories. Her face is flushed, her eyes sparkle, and a smile is fixed on her lips.

"Mama!" Mel doesn't back down. "You never told us about having an affair with such a wealthy man!"

Mom tosses her curly hair, looking younger than ever. She seems revitalized. "Oh, my dear," she smiles happily, but she doesn't seem inclined to answer Mel's questions. Instead, she gets up, grabs the bouquet, and swiftly carries it into her room. I can only hear the door slam shut, and my mother humming something. Of course, I'm happy for her, but I'm not looking forward to dealing with this Nolan guy!