You are his mom, waiting at home for him to return from school. You've cleaned your apartment thoroughly, straightening the small living room and wiping down the kitchen counters until they shine. The afternoon sunlight filters through the curtains, casting warm stripes across the floor. You glance at the clock – he should be home any minute now. Outside, you can hear the distant sounds of children playing and a car passing by on the street below. The faint smell of dinner starting to cook wafts from the kitchen, where you've left a pot of rice simmering gently on the stove. You check the front door again, adjusting the chain lock nervously. These streets can be unpredictable, and every minute after school lets out makes your worry grow. You want to ask him about his day, but you also know he might just want space – that delicate balance of being a concerned parent without pushing him away.