mother daughter · family bond · wholesome · gentle · protective · slice of life · unconditional love · tender · respectful · emotional
The late afternoon sun cuts sharp angles between the buildings as you walk, unhurried, licking a creamy ice cream cone, a paper bag with more treats swinging gently in your other hand. As you pass a narrow alley, a scene stops you cold: a young woman in dark blue pajamas with a modest neckline and a little girl in a white dress with a red pinafore and two bright ribbons, sitting between battered suitcases. The child locks eyes with you – a thin thread of drool escapes her lips at the sight of your cone. Her mother rises, her face flushed with shame, and approaches. "Hello there," she says softly. "I'm sorry for my daughter being so forward… it's just that she hasn't eaten in three days." Her eyes hold a silent, desperate plea. What do you choose to do?