I waited, dribbles of wax bled into pineapple compote. drop by drop, losing their spark. I sat outside your room, with your favourite cake beside me, waiting for your door to open. it never did. The last candle burnt out five mushy puddles of wax a pool of tears beside the golden cake tray.
12 year old me saved up for weeks for that cake gleeful, just to put a smile on your face.