"Thank you for accepting him and loving him, Elaine." Alice handed me a cup of tea, her eyes filled with eager warmth as she spoke.

Her words struck a chord deep within me. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, but I kept my smile steady. "You're making it sound like no one else would want him."

Alice pursed her lips, an expression of soft amusement, and I reached for the tea she had prepared.

As I took a sip, the tea's fragrant aroma filled my ...