Unopened Letters//Adopted by Lin-Manuel Miranda//Book One

4_Birthday

April 24, 2010

I look out the window, hoping for some kind of sign. Some sign that Lin got my letter, that he's opened them. That he cares. But to be honest. He probably doesn't care. Probably hasn't opened and read my letters. I sigh as Darla comes in. "Oh, is the kid sad?" She asks and slaps me. I don't wince. I don't flinch, don't even make a sound. It causes her to hit me once, twice, three times more. She smiles wickedly before walking out. I sigh with relief and soon Ali is walking in. She has a big bruise on her left cheek and a busted lip.

"Darla?" I ask her and she nods. "I'm sorry."

"No need. She'll just do it again and again. She doesn't care about us." Ali says. The sad thing is, it's true. Darla doesn't care. She hates kids. I just wish there was some way to stop her.

"I think we're going out today. With Emma."

Emma is Darla's coworker. Except she loves us all. She gives us hugs and kisses before bed and tells us she loves us.

"Ali! Naomi! Come on girls! Lunch is ready!" Ali and I run downstairs where Emma is giving out peanut butter and Nutella sandwiches. I thank her and eat slowly, savoring every bite. "Who's ready to go to the park?" All of us kids yell 'ME!' "We're celebrating Naomi's eighth birthday."

"Really?" I ask, not believing it.

"Really. Now eat up so we can go."

~~~

When we're at the park, I see two adults walking around, hand in hand. I recognize them. I pull on Emma's hand. "Can you ask him to sing me happy birthday? Please?" I ask. Emma nods.

"Exude me?" She calls. Then runs up to them. They walk back to us. "So, it's my special friend's birthday. She was hoping you'd sing happy birthday to her."

"Sure!" Lin says. "What's your name?"

"Naomi."

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday Naomi...happy birthday to you!" He holds out my name and goes all over the place with it.

"Can I hug you?" I ask. He nods. I hug him. "Thank you Mr. Miranda."

"Of course kiddo." He and his girlfriend leave. But not before I spot an engagement ring on her left hand.

"Congratulations Mr. Miranda and soon to be Mrs. Miranda!" They turn back.

"Thank you!" And just like that, they walk out of my life.

We continue to celebrate my birthday, eating cake and drinking juice.