Ch 2 Dream & Wish Part 2

School… I thought it would be better than staying home but I was SO SO wrong. I should have just stayed home and opened the present from my parents. All throughout the day I couldn't concentrate. I found myself daydreaming what life would be like if my parents woke me up and yelled "Happy BIrthday Yuki! We love you so very much. Go on open your present. We hope it's what you wanted" As I slowly opened it up and looked inside the box I jumped back smiling from ear to ear because they got it correct, it was exactly what I wanted." But that's not at all what happened… Next thing i knew my teacher came over and told me it was lunch time.

No one at school wished me a happy birthday. No one gave me a hug or even a sweet to enjoy. No one even acknowledged I was there. Instead it was like any other day with the kids picking on me. Today was different today they totally ignored me. I'm not even sure why, but it's probably because of my name. See, my name is Yuki and Yuki is a girl's name and I'm a boy! I truly don't think my parents wanted me once they found out I was a boy. Isn't it obvious they gave me a girls name and are never around or Did they know something I don't?

My mind is constantly daydreaming even on my run home after school. I know that letter from my parents is on the counter, but I doubt that there is anything besides a plain old ordinary birthday card from the dollar store waiting for me. Every year I get my hopes up that they will surprise me and show up with a cake or a present in hand, but every year they disappoint me. I should stop expecting it then maybe I will be less hurt when my wish doesn't happen. It's hard to do that because I hear about the other kids at school celebrating with their families and friends and I go home to an empty house most days.

As I continue to run I feel the cool wind in my face and see all the leaves on the trees and petals on the flowers dance as I move past them. I know i'm running rather fast but everything is moving in slow motion. Before I knew it I was home.

I finally find my keys and go inside. My uncle is not home as usual. No one is there. It's just me. I put my school books down and go to the refrigerator looking for a snack, but my eyes see the blue envelope with my name on it from my parents on the counter [I wonder what it is in?]

I pick it up and then debate if I want to open it up or not. If i don't open it I can continue my dream. My dream from this morning comes back to me about the box with that strange noise coming from it. One that I can't place and still can't, but I know it's something I've wanted my whole life .

I pick up the card and shake it. Wondering if there is anything in it that would make a sound. Nothing…. I slowly open it and pull out the plain card. On it is written

Yuki,

Hope you have a happy birthday

Mom and dad

THAT'S IT.. no dear Yuki or love Mom and Dad. No we will call you later or enjoy the money and get what you want … NOTHING AT ALL!!!

I don't know why I thought this year would be different, Just because I'm going into double digits and turning 10…..

Since I was 8 so many many years ago I've told my parents and uncle how much I love animals, especially foxes! Why couldn't they at least have gotten me a card with a fox on it, how hard would that have been. Did they even care l about me at all… I doubt it!

I pick up the envelope and begin to tear it up. I'm so sad and angry of being alone all the time. The pieces go everywhere and I run to my bed. "This birthday sucked, why was I even born."

Next thing I see is the sun going up and pulling the covers over my eyes. I don't want to get up, why should I? I go into the kitchen and I see some of the ripped paper on the floor. All the pieces are the same except one. I pick up that piece of paper and it's a voucher. What's a voucher I wonder? Was it in the envelope originally? I don't recall seeing it and I thought I looked carefully. Hmmmmmm…