The late afternoon light poured through the windows of Nicole's cozy living room, casting soft shadows across the neutral-toned furniture. Zeke sat comfortably on the long beige sofa, a cup of black coffee in one hand, while Nicole sat beside him, flipping through a book but only half-reading—her attention always half-tethered to her younger brother when he visited.
The quiet hum of the neighborhood was suddenly broken by the sound of the front door swinging open.
"Uncle Zeke!"
Arielle burst into the room with her usual energy, her cheeks flushed from the mild chill outside. She dropped her tote bag by the door and practically skipped toward them, her long dark ponytail swaying behind her.
Zeke looked up and smiled. "Hey, sunshine. You look suspiciously excited."
Arielle grinned wide. "My birthday's next week!"
Zeke leaned back, raising an eyebrow. "Already? How old are you now—seventeen?"
She rolled her eyes dramatically. "Twenty-one, Uncle."
