A Family Portrait for the Family I Left

After setting up the camera, I realize the clients for the family portrait are my parents and sister—the very people I ran away from five years ago.

The moment we make eye contact, the smile on my mother's face freezes.

Her eyes turn red-rimmed, and she hesitates before asking, "Mora… Is that you? You're alive?"

Placing my finger on the shutter, I remind them, "Keep smiling. Look at the camera."

My father shoots to his feet. "Are you still mad at us? You've avoided us for five years. What kind of grudge between family members can't be resolved after all that time?"