Sweet as Candy: A Novel in Verse

Wish

Luckily for Izzy

She won’t have to worry

Because she won’t know.

Come next week

My gargantuan problem

Will be obliterated

Nothing left but specks of dust.

I keep this in mind all evening

As we eat my birthday dinner.

As Izzy and Alex sing a slightly tipsy rendition of “Happy Birthday”

After a shared bottle of cheap champagne.

As I open my gifts

First a silver charm bracelet from Alex

Then a gift certificate from Izzy

To buy more charms.

Finally, Izzy lights the candles and brings out the cake

Leaving me to blow out ten flickering flames.

Alex smiles as I do so.

“What did you wish for, kiddo?” he asks.

I smile and shake my head.

“I can’t tell you.”

Izzy laughs.

“Yeah, Al. Don’t you know it won’t come true if she tells you?”

“Oh,” Alex drawls.

“Of course.”

I grin as Izzy turns the light back on.

I wished for it all to be over soon.