"Mac, you're not the same as you used to be."
“Well, many people say that.”
After speaking, I turned around and left. Without ever looking back, I climbed the stairs to the fifth floor and opened the door.
The interior was still exactly the same as it had been a year ago.
Next to the old television sat my mother’s portrait; the candle before it had long since burned out.
I skillfully placed new candles, then put on an apron and headed into the kitchen.
Soon, three dishes and a soup were ready. Across the table, a bowl of mashed potatoes was left untouched. So, I ate it slowly.
"Mom, I met Kelly today."
“Don’t get angry, okay? She can’t hurt your son anymore. And besides, I'm not as foolish as I used to be.”
But only silence answered me.
Losing my appetite, I put down my fork, walked into the bedroom and pulled out an old photo album.
"Well, looking at your stunning beauty in black and white is so boring."
Before I could open the photo album, a photo fell out onto the floor.
When I bent to pick it up, I finally saw the faces in it. They were mine, Kelly's and Leo's.