Liam's Very Special Day

"Oh, my."

Liam sat back on his chair in disbelief.

Aiden carefully took out one last plastic container that contained chocolate cream cake. The problem was that the content had been reduced to a mishmash of chocolate cream, chocolate pieces, and sponge crumbles.

"Sorry, Liam," Aiden sighed. "I did not hold the basket properly when we took the rides."

Liam whined.

"Mama, I really want a cake," he said. "Can we please get one?"

"Uhh... Can we eat our lunch first? We can find cake later."

"Mm... Okay."

Aiden wondered whether Liam felt lonely. A child his age must want to play all the time. As he thought, Cole alone was not enough.

"Liam, how is school so far?"

"Good."

"Just good? Did you make a lot of friends?"

The question made Liam bite into his spoon and lower his head.

He slowly shook his head.

Aiden reached out to rub Liam's head.

"Maybe five?"

A headshake followed.

"Three?"

Another headshake.

"Uh, one?"

Liam raised his gloomy face and looked at Aiden.