Today is a special day for her of course — it's her birthday! By now, the festivities have died down and the small party has ended. Anyone still around were picking up their belongings, pocketing the goodie bag given to them by Lily's dad, and putting on their shoes. Everyone had a fun time of course, but now Lily's sitting at the table alone and silent, her hands clasped together.
Nyani sits quietly on the sofa, watching her friend from the living room. She always feels weird being in other people's houses. It feels as if she doesn't belong there, only daring to enter rooms she's been permitted to go in. She knows, of course, that she can enter the kitchen where Lily is, but doesn't want to bother her. The house falls silent with only the sound of the kitchen sink running and dishes clattering as her father cleans them. As suddenly as Lily entered her brooding mood, she springs out of her seat, puts on her sneakers, and kisses her father.
Her dad kisses her back. "Going to visit her? Don't forget to be back before dark."
"Okaaaay!" Lily calls out, already leaving through the front door.
The man sighs and continues washing dishes, only noticing he still has a guest because she stood up from the sofa.
"Oh, Nyani, you're still here?" he asks, but she too is already out the door by the time he finishes his sentence. He sighs again, shaking his head. She forgot her goodie bag.