Plop! A heart-shaped strawberry bounced off her heart-shaped pancake like a mini trampoline. Nina looked at her breakfast indifferently as she twirled her dark hair. She had eaten some whipped cream that decorated the plate, but her appetite wasn’t there.

        “Nina! Stop playing and eat! You’re going to be late for school if you don’t!” her mother scoffed as she scrubbed batter off the frying pan. 

        “Ok….” Nina stabbed at a few strawberries and cut up some of the pancakes. Nina had a feeling that this day would be just like all her past birthday parties and holidays, a big disappointment. The entire 2nd grade was throwing a Valentine’s Day father-daughter dance. She was trying to keep her hopes at a low level. 

        “Mama?”

        “Do you think Dad will be able to make it tonight?”