Chapter 6 Birthday

• Julien
• Age 11
• Today was going to be a good day. I held the small box tightly in my jacket pocket as I walked the Vascotto estate. Today was Marina’s tenth birthday and I was excited to see her. I worked extra hours at the supermarket and helped my mother around the house to earn enough to buy her a present. It wasn’t much, I knew that, but I really hoped she would love it anyway. Marina wasn’t a snob, but the small charm I bought her was nothing like the expensive gifts she would get today. My nails bit into my palms as I clenched the box tightly.