Lost in the Flames

The Gift

***

"Happy Birthday!!!" My mother and father scream as my small lungs try and blow out the two candles atop a pink cake.

"My little girl is 2, can you believe it?" My mother asks while my father wraps his arm around her.

I smile wide, only 11 teeth showing. I'm 2 today.

//

My small green eyes shoot open as the smoke fills my lungs. I cough and squirm in my bed as I cry for my mother.

I crawl out of bed and rush through the thick smoke. "Mama?" I call. No reply.

"Papa?" Still no reply.

I bang on my parents door before being swept away. Flashes of flames and men in yellow suits shoot past me before I black out.

***

I roll over in my small yet surprisingly cozy bed. Today, like any other day, isn't special. I know it should be but, it just isn't anymore. How could it be? Today is the day I turn 18. It hurts to think that every year I drift further and further apart from something special. A family.

People want to adopt a baby usually from birth-through-seven years old because they want to spend their life with that child before sending him/her away for college. They don't want someone who is ready to "leave the nest" as Mr. Burks, the mother of the house, once told me. "You need to be positive," she'd say with a smile while tucking my small white shirt into my skirt before sending me to public elementary school. "How can you expect to be taken in when you seem so down," she would kiss my cheek and send me on my way.

I sit up, using my arms to lean on, I just sit, staring. "You can do this Ally. Today is gonna be okay. Brian and coach and....ugh," I roll my eyes at the thought. "Katherine."

As I finally find the courage to get out of bed and get dressed I think about my younger self. What was wrong with me that no one wanted to adopt me? I asked myself that question everyday. I still do at times, when the pain and loneliness take over. I can't control it sometimes.

When I call Brian and I hang up out of no where, he knows to come over and comfort me. It helps, don't get me wrong but, it would take more pain away if it was my mother or father.

...

I walk through the hallway to the garden. I sit down taking in a deep breath. I pull out my book that I'm supposed to be finished with for Language Arts and begin reading.

"Hey birthday girl," Brian says.

"Jesus Brian don't sneek up on me like that!" I snap, putting my book on the table.

"Sorry," he laughs, pulling something out of his bookbag. He stares at it for a moment before setting it on the table in front of me.

"What's this?" I ask geturing toward the wrapped item.

"Open it."

I stare at him for a moment before opening the box covered in a soft material. It's a necklace. It has a small half of a heart with small letters on the back; Forever~.

"Where's the other half?" I ask, crumpling up the ripped wrapping paper.

He pulls out his keys and holds onto the other half. I connect the two half's. ~Together Forever~ A smile plasters across my face and my heart fills with warmth.

"I know this isn't a happy day for you but, your 18 now and I felt obligated to get you something. My mom wants you over for dinner and cake tonight as well," he says. "And she's not asking."

"Thank you. I love it," I admit wrapping my arms around him. "What if I don't go?"

"She'll probably have me hunt you down and drag you to my house," he laughs.

"Ohh I'm so scared," I say holding my hands up in defeat.

"Your an idiot," he chuckles.

"Well you're stuck with me, no backing out now." I clip the necklace around my neck.

"Is that so?"

"You know what," I threaten but end up laughing before finishing my threat.

He rolls his eyes and chuckles a bit. "You are so annoying, I'll pick you up at 7," Brian says standing up and putting his keys back in his pocket.

"See you then."

...

"The cake was amazing, thank you so much Mrs. Hart," I smile.

"Your welcome sweety, happy birthday," she says picking up my plate.

"Let's go, I'll take you home," Brian already has his keys.

"Alright."

We walk out of his house and make our way to his car.

"I hope today wasn't too painful," he wishes pulling out of the driveway.

"Naw, your mom did a good job not telling me about you in the bathtub as a baby," I laugh.

"How about on a serious note?"

I look at him before taking in a deep breath, "it was alright."

"Did you have the nightmare," he asks turning onto my street.

"Ya," I admit.

"Do you need me to stay with you?"

"I'm okay. Thank you," I open the door and lean in my chair to hug him.

"I'll see you tomorrow. Promise me," he instructs.

"Promise."