Despite the 100 degree weather soaking down my back, a sickening chill hovered over my shoulders, the lack of no phone call or visits weighed down on my heavy heart as I exited the store, birthday presents to myself burdened my arms.

Who would’ve thought my life would drop down like this, farther than I had ever imagined, plunging deep into the depths of loneliness and unknown. What was this life without a family member smiling down on me? Hopeful fifteen-year old me would imagine myself on a thousand dollar spree to celebrate this milestone, then a elegant dinner with my significant other later in the evening.

The daydreams I looked back on went down in flames that horrible night, trauma spitting in my eyes forever. My parents smiles burning in the end. Every memory, every laugh, crinkling into ash. Not to mention the 30th birthday gift with my mother’s handwriting scribbled over the brown parchment. Something I would never open.

My vision began to blur as tears began to threaten their way out. The distorted cars shook in my vision, the corners beginning to fuzz. I had to get home before I blew up like a ticking time bomb.

As I moved to the direction of my car, the voice of Nina Simone drew me away from the parking spot, into a thrift store I haven’t shopped at since I was a kid.

Breath swept from my lungs as Nina’s warm voice guided me through the store, her voice thick like syrup. The shop was how I always remembered it, the racks popping with all kinds of colors, laundry detergent and mint permeating through the air.

Mom not only adored Nina, but she used to take me here all the time for back to school

shopping. Nostalgia crept behind my head, a dam of memories on the verge of overflowing.

It was not until I started walking toward the very back of the store into storage, where Nina’s voice was the clearest. It’s like she was my personal guide, desperate to reveal something special.

Strangely, nobody was around as I was hypnotized by the music, continuing to move to the back wall until Nina’s voice practically blared through my ears, her accent at its peak. I began to rummage throw the shelf stacked with pairs of vintage jeans, the music rising higher and higher, until it immediately cut off. The minute I held the package in my heads, mom’s handwriting still completely clear in Sharpie.

My hands began to shake, tears slipping from my eyes as I fell to my knees, the atmosphere around me fading to fog. Maybe Nina was my guardian angel, leading me to mom on this special day. My thumbs carefully ran across the thin creases as I paid close attention to mom’s handwriting, the way it carelessly looped at the edges like free-spirited cursive.

Before I could even reconsider, my heart lurched out of my chest, urging my to open it.

After carefully popping open the flap holding the package together, I pulled out a small box drenched in an elegant green velvet. A note slipped out too.

“Dearest Amira,

Turning 30 is special for every woman under the Day family. At this time during adulthood, we jump to unexpected heights, smelling every rose that pique our fancy. Taking in the new sights that lay before us at this age.

30 is a drastic number, my dear, but with much care and safety, you will find where you are truly meant to be.

I won’t be with you at this time, but my spirit will always settle in your heart.

Happy birthday my darling. May you have the happiest of years.

Love, mother.”

Taking long shaky breaths, I sobbed as I remembered mom. The way she looked into my youthful eyes when I blowed out my candles. When she held me close after my first breakup. Every moment, silly or not, should’ve been cherished correctly. After her death I purposely pushed them aside, thinking that ignoring them would heal the grief tearing at my insides. I began to lack the energy to constantly stitch them back up.

**How was this possible? It’s as if this letter had been reserved for me. It’s like she was marking her death day on her calendar. How could she do this to me? **

“Magnificent, is it not?”

Before I could read over her words again, a woman appeared by my side, nearly making my heart slip away. I wasn’t sure if they were my tears, but her face was completely blurry, flecks of distortion fluttering over her unknown features.

I wasn’t sure where the eyes were to look into as she continued.

“Thirty years ago Evangeline waltzed in this shop, urging me to give this to you when the time was right.” This woman’s voice flowed with familiarity. I knew this person from somewhere. “Danger’s arrival was inevitable. They will be here very soon now.”

“Danger?” I repeated, frantically. “There must be some sort of miscommunication, here. See-I don’t know you…At least that’s what I..”

The way this mysterious figure carried herself, her aura, it all felt too similar. My face began to heat with frustration. Who was she?

“Oh, but you do know me, my dear,” She answered. She gestured to the box. “Open it?”

“Pardon me?”

“Open.”

Getting over my confusion and anger, I took a breath and opened the box in my hands. A shuddered, carefully examining the the gold chain held with an oval pendant, a rose intricately carved in the front. Glimts of glitter peppered over the entire necklace as I held my breath to admire it. This must’ve been mom’s, she always treasured elegant jewelry such as that

“This is-“ I breathed. “Wow.” I turned to the figure. “How did you-“

The minute I looked up, she was gone. The world around me suddenly began to stretch far from my vision, until it reached white walls, opening up all around me. The store’s scene escaped, and was replaced with rows of flowers. Roses budding. Daisy petals slipping through the air. The scent of sweets were too strong to be ignored as cotton candy pink and soft lavender streaked across the sky. The fluffy, lush grass felt soft under my feet.

The soothing sound of the river slowed my speeding heart as I tried my best to calm down. What was this place? Why was I there?

I familiar figure stepped forward in the distance, but the moment I saw her, I began to dash across the luxuriant fields uncontrollably.

“This is where you’re meant to be,” Mom said with a smile. “Happy birthday, your majesty. We must train you for what is to come.”