“What would I wish for, I’m happy already?” I asked and then thoughts of wishes popped into my head. ‘For mother and father to not get divorced, for the Tanghar to be ended, for everyone I love to finally be happy again,’ I thought silently and then I turned my head to its side so that I was look directly at Alonzo. “Do you ever wish?” I asked and he chuckled.

“Sometimes,” was all he replied then I decided to change the subject.

“It’s my birthday tomorrow,” I said as my lips curled into a smile, “I’m turning 18!” Alonzo sat up, a smile across his lips.

“Happy early birthday Summer, you’re finally an adult,” he said and I frowned.

“No, I was considered an adult after I left school for Venice, now I’m old enough to make my own decisions.”

Alonzo glanced over at me, “Haven’t you already been doing that?”

“Well, I had been doing that, but now that my mom’s traveling with us…let’s just say if my birthday wasn’t tomorrow, I’d go crazy,” I said and then he pulled up his other sleeve, exposing a wrist watch.

“Well, congratulations Summer, it’s 2:00, so you’re officially 18!” he exclaimed and I squealed.

“Really, I’m actually 18,” I stated and then I jumped up danced around, a confused Alonzo watching me.

“Is that your birthday dance?” he asked once I was finished and I shook my head.

“No that’s my, I-survived-through-all-of-this-craziness-and-I-actually-turned-18, dance,” I said and he laughed. I sighed and laid back down, my dance having taken all of my energy, I felt exhausted. “We can still sleep here, right?” I asked and he nodded.

“Go ahead, I’ll keep an eye out for anyone who might disturb you,” he said and I smiled gratefully.

“Thanks, and don’t worry, even if I have to go there today, I’m going to visit here,” I whispered and I felt his hand pat my shoulder.

“Thank you Summer, you are an incredible girl.” To this, I smiled and then I closed my eyes.

My mind continued to have thoughts race through it, my body protesting, insisting that I should rest. The small lake next to me was making soft slapping noises against the mud next to us and this seemed to calm me, making my thoughts slip away slowly, one by one. Soon, my mind was blank and I was completely relaxed. ‘What the heck’ I thought silently and began to count sheep. My limbs relaxed and by the time I’d counted twenty, I was already drifting away, deep into a dreamless sleep.