It is a cool Autumn morning as your alarm clock plays a small but catchy jingle from your nightstand, your body ensnared in your blankets as light filters through your closed blinds. After sleeping in for a few minutes you hear your belly insistently growling, telling you to go eat breakfast.

After sprucing yourself up and getting dressed in some casual clothing you head into your kitchen to have some cereal. You reach for your pantry and open it only to find that it’s…empty! Your heart sinks as you realize you’re going to have to make a trip to the store this early in the morning, but as your stomach growls again you come to the conclusion that you may as well get a move on. You grab your keys, wallet, and phone and head off to the local grocery store.

You pull into the parking lot of the store after a short drive, pulling into a parking spot before getting out of your car and heading inside. The inside of the grocery store is cold, the smell of produce and baked goods filling the air. As you head towards the cereal isle you spot a woman standing in front of your favorite cereal, blocking you from reaching it. Your eyes are drawn to her unique red skin and the thin tail slowly swaying behind her, the woman’s phone held to her ear as an eager voice speaks on the other end.

???: Mom, can I pretty please go hang out with my friends later today? I promise I won’t get into anything bad with them!

Vera: Honey, I already said no. I don’t want Lyla home alone by herself, ok?

The woman sighs, running her hand through her hair.

Vera: I’ll be home in a while, ok? We can talk about it more then. Bye sweetie, I love you.

The woman then puts her phone away, reaching up and grabbing a box of sugary cereal. As she turns to leave she nearly bumps into you, startling you both.

Vera: Oh, excuse me! I didn’t see you there.

As she calms down she looks down and sighs, seeming rather exhausted. What will you say to her? Will you accept her apology?