The Red Witch
Someday, Zayn will leave me after he turns eighteen.
I'm happy to be his guardian, but why does my heart feel tight?
I shake that assured condition and smile up at him. I reach to cup his face. "I know. I know you're not a boy anymore. Next month is your birthday. I've asked you what you want for five years, and you always give me the same answer. Since you are turning eighteen, is there a particular gift you want? I can get you anything you want?"
For five years, Zayn has never asked me anything on his birthday. He would receive gifts from Sven, Prisca, and the others. Even I give him gifts, anything he likes. Zayn was thankful, but none of them ever made him truly happy.