It all started on my birthday, the day my parents died.
October 31. I was turning five years old that day. My brother was singing happy birthday to me, while I was getting ready to blow out my candles on the cake. "Make a wish sweetie" my mother said to me. I wish for... then all of a sudden my dad bursts in saying, hope I didn't miss the birthday girl's wish. Daddy! I screamed, you're home. Yep he said, and I got you a present. Oooh, what is it what is it? I said in a rush. It's your very own trick or treating outfit he said with a smile. He then pulled out this lovely white puffy dress that had sparkles all over it. Ahhh! I screamed, a princess outfit. It's just what I was going to wish for. Can I go try it on I asked? Sure pumpkin he said, Wren go upstairs with your sister and help her put it on. Come on big brother I said as I dragged him upstairs. I can't wait to try on my new costume! Once my brother and I got upstairs I started changing. Elles my brother said, hurry up and change-I have something for you. Okay Wren I said, but when I finished putting on my costume, I started to hear my mom and dad's voice coming from down stairs. I than began to kneel down, slowly and put my ear towards the floor. Than I heard it, honey are you sure it safe for her to go? It was my mom's voice, yes I thinks she's old enough my dad replied. Elles what are you doing? Shhh I said, I continued to listen. But are you sure, I mean she could get hurt and... why are you so worried? My dad said, it's not like we're letting her go by herself. I know that, it's just you know what happens on days like this, I just don't think it's safe for her to go outside. On her own birthday? My dad asked perplexed. I just want to make my daughter happy, since you say I haven't been there for her or cared about her. Hearing my dad say those words shocked me, did mom really say that to dad? But continued to listen again, I never said that. My mom retorted. I just said it would be nice for you to be here more often for the family. I know you have to work a lot and can hardly ask for days off, but I do appreciate the fact that you came for our daughters birthday. But letting her go outside, especially on a day like this is just too dangerous. Why, not a fan of candy my dad joked. You know why my mom snarled. Look Joseph, my mom said, when I married you, I promised to marry you for better or worse, but I didn't sign up to marry your heritage. Today is the devil's birthday. I know my dad said. Good, then you also know that this is the day tirips give worship to devil. What are you implying? Do you think that once I get out there that I'm going to drop everything and go back to my old ways? No I'm not saying that at all... what I'm trying to say is, I know you're not like that any more, but remember we're in hiding. Think of how upset they would be to find out we're married. Taking our daughter to go trick or treating would not only blow our cover but put our whole family at risk. I know and I know you're right it's just that because of me Ella never really gets to go trick or treating for her birthday or Wren... I just want my children to have fun and not suffer for who I am inside and I finally scraped up enough money to buy her that outfit she said she wanted so badly. Tears started to well up in my eyes as I heard this. Is that why you were gone so long my mom said? Yeah, my dad sighed. It's unfortunate she had to be born on this day, but I didn't want her to be one of those girls who grows up hating their birthday and not wanting to celebrate it because she never got her wish. I know honey, was all my mom could say. You know I don't see why we can't just tell her. She just turned five. But we told Wren and he's eight. I know but Wren is a different story. We had to tell Wren because he was a smart kid and started putting the puzzle pieces together. I got confused, what was it that Wren knew that I didn't? That's not my fault, my dad says. He gets that from you, you know, I married a very smart women. I could hear my mom chuckle,but honey, Ellas different. She in her own world...she believes everything is good as if she's never heard of the world evil. Something I definitely know she gets from you Joseph. I know she's smart too, but I just simply feel she's too young to understand who she is and who our family is. But since you did go through all this trouble, letting her go just this once wouldn't hurt. Aww my dad said, you are the best wife ever. I know my mom responded.
