The young narrator is shocked to find out that his mother is dead and that his little brother is in love with an older woman. He is also shocked to learn that his father has died and that he has been spending his birthday with his mother. He asks his mother why she has not told him of his love for the older woman, and her reply is that she has been feeling sick. The young woman tells him that she took a day's leave to look after her brother and that she and her mother have been spending their birthday together. The narrator is amazed that she still lives in her family home and that her brother is so young and healthy. He wonders why she is working so hard and is so childish. He feels that they have to talk about their family more before they start their day at work.