My daughter Evelyn’s fifth birthday started with balloons and the kind of laughter

Over time, distance grew between us. Holidays became separate. Calls became rare.

Now she stood on my porch holding a small gift bag, her gray hair pulled back tightly, her eyes scanning the decorations inside my house.

“I didn’t think I’d be welcome,” she said.

I swallowed my surprise. “It’s Evelyn’s birthday.”

“I know.”