Melody narrowed her eyes at her daughter. “Why are you drinking coffee?”

“Because I need it,” Kenny said.

“You're going to become addicted to it.”

Grandpa Kung turned a page of the newspaper and snorted. “Back in my day, we drank coffee like it was water. Kenny can take care of herself.”

“She'll ruin her sleeping schedule!”

“I'm not a child anymore,” Kenny said. “I have to stay up late to write my papers anyway. Changing the subject, have any of you figured out why the tree is moving closer to the house?”

Melody and Grandpa Kung stared at her. 

“It's moving?” Grandpa Kung got out of his seat to push aside the floral curtains covering the kitchen window. Melody peered out as well and they were silent as they scrutinized the tree planted in the middle of their backyard. 

Its yellowing leaves swayed in the light breeze, occasionally falling to the yard, where hundreds of autumn-dyed leaves lied waiting to be swept. For now, they remained undisturbed. The peaceful sight and quiet atmosphere brought calmness on mornings such as today's, but Kenny's pronouncement made them look at the maple tree as something more than just a decoration. 

“I don't think it's any closer than when we first bought the house twenty years ago,” Melody said. 

Kenny frowned. “Uh, actually, it is closer. When I came home last weekend, I could still see the bird nest. Now I can't. The tree moved closer and the nest is out of sight.”

“Maybe you're just sitting farther away,” Grandpa Kung said. “Trees grow, but they don't have feet. What are they teaching you in that university?”

“Of course I know it doesn't make sense, but it really is moving!” 

“Hah!” Grandpa Kung reseated himself and picked up his newspaper. “That is the silliest idea I've heard in my life, and I'm eighty-four years old!”

“Ai-ya! What are you all shouting about this early in the morning? You'll wake every spirit in the house.” Grandpa Yuen said from the staircase. He thumped his cane when he reached the bottom step. “Daughter, pour me a cup of tea.”

Grandpa Kung picked up his mug of coffee. “Kenny says the tree in our backyard is moving toward to the house.”

“It's clearly farther from our neighbour's fence than it used to be! What are we going to do if it comes right up to our door?”

Grandpa Yuen clucked his tongue and shook his head at Kenny and Grandpa Kung. “If the tree moves closer, it moves closer. If it does not, it does not. There is nothing you can do to force the will of a tree.”

Kenny wrinkled her nose. She gulped her coffee, turning toward the maple tree. And watched.