But people like me, needed people like her. Every person, every role is meaningful and immeasurable.
“You didn’t have to do this,” I said quietly.
“I wanted to. I know you act like you don’t care. But we see you, Liora. We all do.”
The lump in my throat didn’t make it all the way up. I swallowed it down, hard.
“Happy whatever-this-is,” she added, grabbing the cracked candle with both hands and lighting it with a sputtering match. “Make a wish.”
“Don’t believe in wishes.”
“Too bad. You’re getting one anyway.”
I stared at the flame. The way it danced, fragile and flickering, against the growing dusk. Then I closed my eyes.
I wish I could stay…just a bit longer.
I blew out the candle.
We ate the cake in silence for a while. It was awful. Dense and sweet and vaguely rubbery. I told
