Family Night Fun

The evening air was still tinged with the lingering scent of popcorn, a delightful aroma that usually signaled a special treat. But tonight, it felt different. It felt like the promise of something even better, something Bell had been dreaming of for weeks. She sat cross-legged on the living room rug, her bright eyes shining, her fingers tracing the colorful squares of the board game spread out before her. It was her absolute favorite, the one with the silly animal tokens and the unpredictable dice.

Mom and Dad were sitting opposite her, their faces softer than they had been in what felt like a very long time. Mom’s phone was tucked away in her purse, and Dad had put down the newspaper that usually seemed glued to his hands. They were looking at *her*, really looking at her, with a warmth that chased away the last wisps of the lonely feelings that had clung to her like shadows.

"Okay, Bell, your turn!" Dad said, his voice a gentle rumble that made her heart flutter. He pushed the dice towards her, and she scooped them up, the smooth plastic cool against her fingertips. She shook them with a flourish, her tongue peeking out in concentration, and then rolled them onto the board. A four! She moved her little blue elephant token forward, landing on a square that made her giggle. "I get to sing a silly song!" she declared, and then, without any prompting, launched into a made-up tune about a dancing badger.