$17.83 Richer.

Summer is the absolute worst time of year, especially in this shithole of a town. Every summer is exactly like the previous: you get over-excited that school is out, make plans with friends that never end up happening, fall into a hole of depression, school starts again, and you start anticipating the next summer to come.

I am currently in the "I am about to fucking kill myself if I don't start getting orders from teachers who have no life, nor right to judge how mine is going" stage, which is right in between the depression and the rentering school stages. If that wasn't bad enough, my birthday lands right around there. The only reason I even remember this is because my mom tells me that I need to make a chocolate cake for my little sisters and pretend that I don't think cake is disgusting.

After I finish the cake, I continue my annual birthday traditions by checking the mailbox for birthday cards. I get the same ones every year, except that family members have slowly stopped giving a lot about writing personal notes due to not knowing anything about me. My Aunt Helen sends a $20 in a cat card of some sort, my Uncle Rodge sends $100+ (I choose to ignore the fact it was likely stolen), My grandmother sends a note stating what my gift from her is along with what my parents said they got me, and an envelope full of fine glitter from my cousin (I don't even open them anymore). I went through all of them with nothing new until I reach the last one.

A sky blue envelope with nothing on it other than my name written in silver calligraphy. It gives me an overwhelming sense of mystery and magic. I rush straight to my room and lock the door. Filled with anticipation I rip open the anonymous envelope, to find a ten-dollar bill, a five-dollar bill, two one-dollar bills, eighty-three cents in assorted change, and a note.

~Dear Olive,

How has your birthday been so far? I miss you sincerely and

wish I could be there with you now. Do you remember that

one birthday of yours we spent together? The one where we

talked under the stars after everyone went to sleep? You told

me that it was the best birthday you ever had because you

got to spend it with me. I'll never forget how beautiful you

looked when you smiled at me.

Please promise to take care of yourself.

With all the love in the world,

Mnemosyne~

I couldn't believe what I had just read. The memory in this letter was not one I was a part of, and who is Mnemosyne? I had so many questions, so many things I felt I needed answers to. So I did the most logical thing I could, I ignored it. That is fine right? It was probably just a prank anyway. Oh well, at least I'm $17.83 richer.