A New and Different Day

[Some months ago]

Zoe and Leo were lying down, each on a sofa in the living room. Zoe's face was slightly red, indicating a fever, while Leo spent all his time with a runny nose from the flu. The room was bathed in a comforting twilight, with the soft evening light filtering through the curtains. Samantha entered the room, carrying a wooden basin and a clean cloth. With gentle movements, she moistened the cloth and placed it on Zoe's forehead, saying with a warm smile:

"There, now just wait to get better."

"It's too hot in here," complained Zoe, bothered by the fever making her sweat.

"That's because of the fever, dear. But if it's too hot, I can give you a cold bath," suggested Samantha, trying to find a solution that would bring her daughter some relief.

"I hate taking a bath in cold water. I always get a cold afterward," grumbled Zoe, making a face.

Samantha went over to Leo and placed her hand on his forehead, assessing his condition. "You seem to be much better; your fever has passed," she said, pleased to see her son recovering.

"I'd rather have a fever than a cold. Having a runny nose is awful. Achoo!" Leo grabbed a cloth and wiped his nose, frustrated with the situation.

"I knew it wasn't a good idea to let you swim in that lake until late," commented Samantha, with a slightly reproachful but still affectionate tone.

"I had a lot of fun. I want to go back there another day," said Zoe, with a hoarse and weak voice, typical of someone sick. She smiled slightly at the memory of playing in the lake, even though she was now paying the price for it.

Samantha sighed, sitting between her children, and said: "You know, when I was a child, I also loved playing outdoors. There was a huge tree in my parents' backyard. I used to pretend it was my secret fortress. I'd spend hours up there, reading stories and dreaming of adventures."

Zoe and Leo, despite their discomfort, listened attentively to their mother's story. Samantha's gentle and engaging voice made them forget, for a few moments, about the fever and the flu. Leo imagined the tall, majestic tree, while Zoe saw herself climbing the branches alongside her mother in her memories.

"And one day," continued Samantha, smiling, "I found a bird's nest in one of the highest branches. I was amazed to see the chicks. I decided to take care of them until they learned to fly. It was an incredible experience. I learned a lot about responsibility."

"And you will also learn many things throughout your lives. Always remember to take care of each other, just as I took care of those chicks," replied Samantha, stroking her children's hair.

Leo: "I'd rather take care of birds than take care of Zoe. She's very annoying."

Zoe grabbed the wet cloth from her forehead and threw it in Leo's face. "My nose is stuffed, and you still throw a cold cloth on it!"

Leo removed the cloth from his face. "See? That's why I say you're annoying."

Zoe: "It's because you always bother me. Now give me back my cloth. I don't want you to dirty it with your disgusting nose."

Samantha maintained a calm expression, looking at her children with a tender smile. "If you're arguing, it means you're getting better, haha."

Leo threw the cloth back to Zoe, who caught it and put it back on her forehead. "Much better, but it's still too hot here," she said, still bothered by the fever.

Samantha removed the wet cloth from Zoe's forehead. "You're right, you're sweating a lot. We'll have to take a bath then. Let me take you to the bathroom," she said, taking Zoe by the arms.

Zoe clung to the sofa, protesting. "NO! I don't want to catch a cold! Leave me here."

Samantha: "But you need to take a bath, my dear. Otherwise, the fever won't go away." She pulled Zoe with a bit more strength. Zoe couldn't hold on to the sofa and let go, being carried by her mother. At that moment, Victor entered through the door. "I'm home!" he announced loudly.

Samantha: "Welcome back, dear."

Victor: "From what I see, you're still sick, aren't you?"

Samantha moved towards the bathroom. "I'm going to give Zoe a bath now. She's sweating a lot. Keep an eye on Leo for me. If you need anything, call me."

Zoe was taken to the bathroom and spent the entire bath grumbling about the cold water. The sound of her protests echoed down the hallway, blending with the comforting murmur of the water. Samantha tried to calm her, but Zoe kept complaining, feeling each cold drop as a punishment.

Victor stayed in the living room with Leo, watching his son try to distract himself from the flu. "How are you feeling, son?" he asked, trying to bring some cheer.

Leo shrugged, still bothered by his stuffy nose. "I've been better, Dad. But Mom is taking good care of us."

Victor smiled, feeling grateful for Samantha's dedication. "We'll trust that you'll both get better soon."

Meanwhile, in the bathroom, Samantha continued to care for Zoe, trying to make the bath as comfortable as possible. "I know you hate cold water, but it will help bring down the fever, dear. Let's be strong, okay?" she said, with a soft and comforting voice.

Finally, after the bath, Zoe was wrapped in a soft towel and brought back to the living room. Samantha settled her on the sofa next to Leo, who smiled slightly seeing his sister back, holding back a joke upon seeing her.

Zoe: (glaring at Leo) "You better not make any jokes."

"I think we're almost there," said Samantha, hopeful. "Soon this fever will be gone, and you'll feel much better."

Zoe sighed, still resentful of the cold water but relieved to be back in the warmth of her home and family's care. "Thanks, Mom," she said, her voice still weak but full of gratitude.

[Present]

Zoe woke up slowly, the soft morning sunlight entering through her bedroom window. The golden light filled the room, bringing a sense of renewal and hope. For a moment, she felt disoriented, the images of the dream still fresh in her mind. The memory of the warmth of the fireplace, the loving voices of her family, and the feeling of comfort enveloped her in a sense of nostalgia.

She sat up in bed, realizing that the cloth on her forehead was completely dry and the headache that had tormented her had entirely disappeared. The dream had brought brief solace, a reminder of the happiness she once knew. Even though it was just a dream, the feeling of having relived those happy moments helped her find some relief.

Zoe looked out the window, taking a deep breath, feeling grateful for having had the opportunity to relive that moment, even if only in her dreams. Reality was still harsh and painful, but the loving memories of her family gave her strength to move forward.

She remained seated for a while, looking at the soft light filtering through the window. The shadows of the trees outside danced gently, reminding her of the carefree days of her memories. As tears silently rolled down her face, Zoe felt the pain of loss, but also the strength that came from the memories.

The image of her mother, caring and attentive, taking care of her and Leo, was a source of solace. The stories her mother told, the way she made everything seem lighter and more bearable, all of it filled Zoe's heart with a sense of eternal love. Each memory was a precious fragment, a thread of hope that helped her weave a new perspective on life.

Determined to honor her parents' memory, Zoe got out of bed, feeling the softness of the wooden floor under her feet. She walked to the window and opened the curtains, letting the sunlight flood the room. The warmth of the sun on her skin was comforting, as if her mother was hugging her again.

She knew the road ahead would be full of challenges, but she also knew she wasn't alone. Leo was there, sharing the same pain, but also the same determination to move forward. Zoe knew they needed each other now more than ever.

With one last look at the landscape illuminated by the morning sun, Zoe turned and left the room, determined to face the new day with courage and hope. The sweet memories of her family would remain in her heart, guiding her through the dark paths that life would place on her journey. She knew that as long as she kept those memories alive, she would always find the strength to keep going.