Elena sat on the small wooden bench in her backyard. It was seven o’clock in the morning. The morning air was cool and crisp, carrying the gentle scent of wet earth and fresh grass. High above the trees, the sun was just beginning to rise, painting the sky in soft shades of orange and pink. In her hands, she held a warm ceramic cup of black tea. Steam rose slowly from the liquid, warming her face. She loved this early hour of the day because th...