Ella:Richard, my father, was a strong man who worked for the United States government until he died after a severe case of stroke four years ago in 2015. I had etched their names in ink on the inner sides of my wrist near my pulse remembering them with each heartbeat

Ella:He pulled me towards him against the door and looking in my eyes asked cheekily, “What do you think I'm doing?”

Ella:“Nowhere, just went to the washroom for a bit,” lying because I did not want another lecture.

Ella:“No, I am not!” I looked up facing all the three of them, all calm and confident but deep down I was shocked and scared. Why was she asking me this question all of a sudden!?

Ella:Time seemed to be flying with just under a week left for Christmas. I had started tidying the house up since advent. The curtains and bedsheets were changed with fresh linen, carpets vacuumed till every speck of dirt had vanished. Today after dinner, I would sta