Iris.
"Mother," I whined when she did not look at me.
She was busy putting the last little flowers on the big cake she baked that morning. It looked so pretty. I wanted to poke it with my finger, but Mother said I had to wait until Brother made a wish.
"What is it, my child?" She smiled and bent until our faces were almost the same height. She slipped a sweet into my palm.
I unwrapped it quickly.
"How old will Brother be today?" I asked before popping it into my mouth. "And when are they coming home?"
Her eyes crinkled when she smiled.
"Your big brother will be nine today." Nine sounded very old. "And they'll be home soon."
I clapped happily before running back to the sitting room where my favorite cartoon was playing.
Mother hummed while decorating the house. Colorful balloons f
