Chapter 45: A cookie and a broken heart

It was a bright, sunny afternoon, and a little boy was out in the backyard of his house, playing with his toys.

"Help me, help me!" he cried out, waving a female doll in the air, mimicking a woman's voice in distress with a high-pitched tone.

"Don't worry, I will save you!" came his superhero toy in his other hand. He giggled as he fought the monster and saved the princess.

"You are my hero," he voiced for the doll.

Just then, a woman walked past him, speaking urgently into a phone pressed to her ear. The little boy saw this and stood up, following her slowly into the house.

"Mom!" he called, tugging at the hem of her dress, but she was too busy to notice him.

"Mom!" he cried out louder. "I'm hungry!"

She didn't hear him and walked into her office. Frustrated, he turned to his father, who was also in the middle of a phone call.

"Dad!" he called, heading in his direction. "Dad! I'm hungry!" he groaned.