Kijani finished the song, and her attention was caught by the party. The music seemed to fade around her as she watched. They were laughing, enjoying each other, just... being there. The kid was 21, and there was just... happiness and pride, and... 

Her throat seemed to close on itself. Hurriedly, she went back to her booth, trying to quell a sudden bout of shaking. Why did that hurt so much? So she'd never had a family party. So what? Big deal. Her 21st birthday had been at the best club in Chicago, everyone had been there, and... and...

A tickling down her cheek stopped her thoughts cold. Reaching up, she realized that she was crying. She couldn't remember the last time she'd shed tears of sadness.

"God, I'm having a fucking breakdown..."