Victoria nodded, a small smile on her face. "I'd like that, sweetie. I love you, and I want to be a part of your life."
"Rachael, I'm so sorry," Victoria said, her voice cracking. "I was so caught up in my own world, I didn't realize what I was missing. Your childhood, your milestones... I wasn't there for you."
Rachael started to see her mother in a new light – as a person, not just a parent. She learned about Victoria's struggles and fears, and the two of them bonded over their shared experiences.
"Goodnight, Mom," Rachael said, as they stood in the foyer.
As they talked, the café began to empty, and the staff started cleaning up. Rachael glanced at her watch; they had been there for hours. "Mom, I think it's time we went home," she said.
