Remember

Peter listened to his sister and mother, his heart suddenly awash with conflicting emotions—surprise, confusion, and a faint, indescribably complicated feeling.

He remembered how, before he left home, Daniel had solemnly promised that he would return home every day to take care of their mother and sister. He had never expected that this rebellious younger brother, who had always been distant from the family, had actually taken that promise to heart and fulfilled it in such a practical way.

"He... Where is he?" Peter took a deep breath and asked.

"Daniel's still working at the shipyard!" Amina hurriedly answered. "He won't be back until the sun is almost down! It's just Mom and me at home right now!"

Peter nodded, warmth welling up in his heart. His younger brother had shouldered responsibility at a critical moment and taken good care of their family. That was what mattered most.

He reached out and tousled his sister's hair, then looked toward his mother. A steady, warm smile spread across his face. "All right, Mom, Amina, let's not stand around at the crossroads. Let's go home! My stomach's growling—I'm starving, and I've been craving your stew, Mom!"

"All right, all right! Let's go home! I'll make your favorite stewed meat!" Their mother smiled through her tears, hurriedly taking her son's hand and calling for her daughter as well.

Amina happily linked arms with her brother, chattering about how adorable the lambs at home were and how amusing the chicks and ducklings were.

The setting sun stretched the three of their shadows long. Leaning against one another, they chatted and laughed as they walked toward the depths of the familiar alley around the corner.

They soon saw their own two-story stone-and-timber house. Wisps of smoke rose from the chimney, filling the air with the