xii. the finale

There’s a suburban neighbourhood somewhere in North America, its name of no importance. The sun is rising over a brilliant summer day and nature is blooming. Coffee is brewed, sheets are rumpled and morning cartoons are switched on. Tricycles are brought out of storage, roller blades are strapped on and video games are fired up as the world either tries to ignore nature or embrace it.

Somewhere, a mother sees her son’s empty bed, an elderly man looks for his foster child’s car, and both smile ruefully, thinking of the changes yet to come.