GENUINE AFFECTION

William awoke to the warm sunlight streaming through the window bathing the room in a soft, golden glow. He blinked a few times, letting his eyes adjust to the light, before sitting up in bed. He looked over to the other side of the bed, and was met with the sight of an empty space. Dahlia must have woken up before him, he thought.

As he walked into the living room, he saw Dahlia curled up on the couch, sound asleep. A blanket was draped over her, and her face was peaceful in slumber.

He noticed that the Go board was set up on the table, the stones scattered across the across the board in a haphazard pattern. It was clear that Dahlia and Granny Sharon had played a game of Go before he had woken up. He smiled to himself, thinking of how much Granny Sharon had enjoyed spending time with Dahlia.