I cleaned the house, dressed up, set the table, but no one came. Still, I waited for my daughter and son-in-law until the very end.

When my daughter Alice was six years old, my wife passed away. After that, nothing was ever the same again. At my wifes funeral, I made a promiseto care for our daughter and love her enough for both of us for the rest of my days. Alice grew into a clever young woman. She did well at school, helped me around the house, and cooked just like her mumdelicious, truly mouthwatering.
In time, Alice went off to university. Her grades slipped a bit, but I didnt mind, as she was also working part-time and still found time to help me at home. Later on, Alice met Richard, and before long she brought him home to meet me. He seemed like a decent chap, and I was overjoyed when the two of them told me theyd decided to live with me after they got married.
But after the wedding, everything changed. My new son-in-law became rude, disrespectfulconstantly shouting at me for no real reason.
Thats why, when Alice suggested we sell our two-bedroom house and buy a bigger flat in London, I agreed on one condition: the new flat would have to be put in my name. As expected, my son-in-law kicked up a huge fuss, claiming I didnt trust him. I told them honestlythe only thing I wanted was some assurance that I wouldnt end up on the street in my old age. Once I was gone, the flat would be theirs to do with as they pleased.
Following that conversation, Alice and Richard packed up their things, called me every name under the sun, and moved to the city within two days.
Afterwards, Alice completely forgot about me, or so it seemed. Still, deep down, I held onto the hope that my daughter would eventually understand my side and let go of her resentment. A few months after our falling out, my 60th birthday arrived. I was convinced Alice had planned a surprise for me, so I cleaned the entire house, cooked all her favourite dishes, got myself dressed up, and sat down at the dining table.
I spent the whole day there, glancing out of the window again and again, waiting for the gate to swing open and finally see Alices face. I waited until evening, then at last changed out of my clothes and went to bed, leaving all the food out on the table. I cried myself to sleep that night, talking to my wifes photo, not even remembering how I finally drifted off. Was Alice so cross with me that she couldnt even ring to wish me happy birthday? Or had something happened to her? No, surely my Alice couldnt have just forgotten about her old dad like that…