Chapter 17 — Helen's Last Birthday
# The Glass of Orange Juice
## Chapter 17 — Helen's Last Birthday
Three months later, Brooks Manor was filled with flowers once again.
It was Helen's seventy-seventh birthday.
For the first time since her stroke, the celebration felt joyful instead of forced.
Daniel organized a quiet family dinner.
Old friends arrived.
Neighbors came to visit.
Even Dr. Collins stopped by with a bouquet of white roses.
Helen sat proudly in her wheelchair at the head of the table.
Her speech was still limited.
Her body remained weak.
But her smile returned more easily now.
Emma placed a homemade birthday cake in front of her.
Everyone began singing.
Helen closed her eyes before blowing out the candles.
Daniel gently asked,
"What did you wish for, Mom?"
Helen smiled softly.
"My... family..."
"...safe."
The room fell silent.
No one could think of a more beautiful wish.
Later that evening, Daniel found Helen looking through an old photo album.
Pictures of Sarah.
Pictures of Daniel as a child.
Pictures of family vacations decades earlier.
Helen looked at her son.
"You... came... back."
Daniel squeezed her hand.
"I should never have left."
She smiled.
"But... you... found... your way."
Daniel realized that although his mother had forgiven him...
He would spend the rest of his life making sure he deserved it.
