The Candles
Carmel School Association Elsa High School , Cohen , Sarah – 13
I was never supposed to see it .
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Sunday 14th April 2000 - Miami , Florida
C hildren dream for their birthdays to come around — the gifts , everything : it gives them importance , a good feeling . They dream of growing up to be whatever they wish to become . I , however , am not a kid . I ' m the last living member of my family from back in Shanghai , as I have been for a long time . Although that ' s my past and I never talk about the past . I talk about the present , the future , but never the past .
" Happy birthday grandpa !" Jenny exclaims as she runs into my room .
My youngest granddaughter and her excitement . The eight year old child is louder than the whole family combined ! She is after all my granddaughter , and it ' s so kind of her to see her old grandpa in his retirement home . Ever since my wife died three years ago , I have lived in a huge retirement home . I have my own room , with my doctor ’ s diploma on the wall .
" Daddy ! Happy birthday ! Myself and Jenny wanted to wish you a happy birthday before I drop her off to school . So how are you ?" my only daughter Lana asked .
" I ' m great . How are Lizzie , Georgie and Harry ?" I asked , even though I already knew the answer . These days , once you turn ten , you lose interest in your grandparents . I know this from my six grandchildren who have already reached the age of ten . Luckily , I still have Jenny , five year old Connor and baby Chris to keep me company . Of course , I also have my three children visit me three to four times a week after work .
" Sir ? Sir ? You ' re fa- " I hear a voice , fading away .
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" Mama , they ' re here ! The Japanese they ' re here !"
" Ha Ren , take your younger sister and go to Ling ' s hair salon ; she ' ll know what to do . Tell her the candle is of no use ."
" Mama ."
" Go now !"