Page 4 of The Black Flamingo

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“If you only get me one present

this year,pleasecan it be

a Barbie?”

“Michael,”

calls Mummy, “where are you?

Come down and open your birthday present.

Your friends will be arriving soon!”

I stand at the top of our stairs

and shout down,

“Is it a Barbie?”

Mummy comes to the bottom step,

smiling gently.

“No, Michael, I didn’t think you were

serious. But I got you something

that I know you’ll love.”

I watch a tear

land on the wooden floor

between my Turtles slippers—

a gift from Aunty B last Christmas.

Mummy comes upstairs, embracing me

in a soft, warm, Mum-smelling hug.

“Oh, darling, I can get you a Barbie

for Christmas, if you still want one.”

Christmas is ages away.

I’m about to cry again when the doorbell rings.

Emily, Amber, Laura, Toby, and Jamal

have all come around for birthday dinner

with their mums.

Callum is the last one to arrive.

His dad brings him but doesn’t stay

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