The lost girl

Alice

A grin spreads across my tanned face as my four year old daughter is playing with her friend. Her golden curly hair gleams in the sun. I take a bite of my chocolate cupcakes singing "HAPPY

BIRTHDAY TO MELL! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MELL! WE ALL HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT BIRTHDAY! AND I HOPE SO TOO!!!" My friends clap along as I sing. It looks like

Melanie is having the best time of her life! And that makes me happy.

"WHO WANTS TO OPEN PRESENTS?!?" I yell happily.

"ME ME ME ME!!!" Melanie screams.

"Okay okay," I muttered.

I grabbed a glittery purple gift bag for Mel to open. She snatches it out of my hand with a mistcheviouse grin. "Thanks!" She mumbles under the chatty children. She rips the bag open to find a pink t-shirt with her name that is sparkly pink.

I grin and ask my friend"Can you video record this while I get the gift bags?"

"Sure!" My friend says. I hurry inside my 2 story house. That was just an excuse to go inside. I couldn't take any more mosquito bites.

We live next to a forest. I guess that's the reason why no one got this house. People say that the forest is haunted.

But, I don't believe in that kind of stuff. I really miss my Husband. His name was Roland. He died in a car accident before Mel was born. He was incredibly handsome. I don't like to brag, but all the girls were after him. I couldn't believe he picked ME!

Out of all the cute popular preppy girls he picked the, unpopular, clumsy, nerdy, dorky, know it all! It brings tears to my eyes to think about him. We had so many great memories! Melonie doesn't know about Roland, and I'm going to keep it that way. A little girl comes bursting through the wooden door. She makes me jump. "Sorry Miss Alice! Mell wants to know when we are going to have our gift bags," she I squealed. I can't believe I forgot about that. "In a little while," I said with a fake smile.

"Um okay!" She skips through the door. I was so lost in thought I forgot about the party! I started grabbing a random bunch of candy and stuffing them inside a plain pink plastic bag. I do the same thing repeatedly. Until finally I used up all the plastic bags. I slowly stroll to the beige wooden door, and gently push it open with a loud creaking sound.

Every one stares at me. I feel my cheeks get hot. " I got gift bags!" I squeak nervously. All the children run to me snatching them out of my hands. I wave goodbye to every one heading to there car. Me and Mell are the only ones here. "Okay Mell go get ready for bed!"

"Okay mommy," she says tiredly. She scampers off inside.