The Door That Stayed Open

For months, Anita and her father had barely spoken. A harsh argument had created a silence neither of them knew how to break. They lived in the same house but moved around each other like strangers.

One night there was a storm, and the power went out. Anita left her room and noticed something unusual: her father's door, always shut, was open.

Inside, he was sitting quietly in the dark. He looked up and said only, "Could you bring the candle?"

It was such a small request, but it became a beginning.

She returned with the candle. He took a deep breath and said, "I kept waiting for the right words. Maybe I should have started with a small one. I miss you."