53 BIRTHDAY PARTY II

Liam took his seat beside me, and a tense silence settled over the table. The weight of the unspoken tension was palpable, but I refused to let it suffocate me. Instead, I turned my attention back to Emily, who had been a source of comfort in this sea of uncertainty.

"Emily, you were telling me about your travels," I said, eager to shift the focus away from the heavy atmosphere that hung in the room.

She brightened up, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Oh, yes! I've been to some amazing places. Let me tell you about this charming little town in Country X..."

As Emily launched into her travel stories, the tension slowly began to dissipate. The conversation flowed more freely, and I found myself engaging with other family members as well. It was a tentative step, but it was a step forward nonetheless.