Sometimes, the people who love us best are not family.

Ino is 80 and lives alone in a third floor walk-up in New York's Little Italy. She's sometimes forgetful, diabetic, and suffers from chronic heart failure. On Christmas Eve eve, her successful CEO son calls to tell her he's in the city and plans to stop by later on. She's overjoyed (she hasn't seen him in months) and prepares a feast of all his favorite foods. Exhausted, she patiently awaits his arrival with her reliable home health aide Ruby by her side. When things don't go to plan, Ino and Ruby discover the true meaning of Christmas.

Note: this is a short story.