Since your mother’s friend became a single woman after her fiancé died, she and her only son were always welcome at family dinners and gatherings.

When you were little, your mother often told you how much you enjoyed playing with her friend’s son, Ivan, especially during Easter egg hunts and while unwrapping Christmas presents together.

However, as the years went by and your mother’s friend started showing up alone, you were surprised to see a strange man at your door on Christmas Eve. After a moment of awkward silence, he spoke up roughly, “Mom’s coming in a second. She forgot something in the car.”