12. 45 Years Ago: A Return to the World of Dreams

Henry entered their home, his briefcase swinging, his steps resonating in the hallway. The door shut with a thud as he passed by Edith with just a nod, her soft greeting laced with resignation. She stood amidst the dinner preparations, the kitchen alive with the sound of cooking. Wordlessly, Henry headed for the stairs, paying little attention to the familial scene unfolding around him. Their children, each absorbed in their own world, barely acknowledged their father’s presence. His stride, a familiar echo in their evening routine, carried him past them. His mind was elsewhere, already in his basement workshop, a haven of creativity and respite, detached from the family life buzzing above.