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Relieved, Jake responded, "Thanks, man. Mother would be so happy. I spoke with her yesterday, and she was asking when I'll be returning... when are we returning?"

"Tomorrow," Jerald answered matter-of-factly. He missed his parents dearly, especially his mother. After learning about the tragic fate of Ixora's mother, the longing to see his own mother had intensified.

Silence settled between them, and they both understood its cause—the reason they had been putting off their departure. Jake never rushed Jerald to decide, and Jerald tried to postpone the inevitable. Yet, they both knew they couldn't live on borrowed time forever.

"Good morning, father. Good morning, Uncle Jake," Berezira's sleepy voice interrupted the silence as she shuffled out of her room.

Jake and Jerald greeted her, watching as she disappeared outside through the back door. Jake looked at Jerald with an unspoken question.

Jerald nodded in affirmation, answering the unasked question, "Of course, she's going with us. Th