I was turning five and waiting sheepishly in the door way of the tiny preschool lunch room for someone to invite me in. My yellow dress was short and faded with white flowers aligning the top of the collar. I was fidgeting with my fingers behind my back looking down at my little black shoes that were much to small, and making my big toe seem as small as my other ones. “Come on Jane! What are you doing? Come sit with the rest of the children.” Looking at the tall lanky woman with short wavy hair known as Quindal my step mother. I walked in anxiety filled and uncomfortable as little eyes watched me make my way to the head of the table. It was a confetti cake with cream cheese icing. Of course, something that I wasn’t fond of. Everyone had a plate and a small wax cup filled with white milk. I looked in my cup to see if I was fortunate enough to get something else. After all it was my birthday and the taste of milk triggered my gag reflexes every time it got close to my mouth. White milk it was, sitting, reflecting back at me my image of disgust. “What’s the matter Jane? Aren’t you excited about your party?” “Yes momma.” I said in a low tone of disappointment. “Eat your cake with the others and Ill get your gift” A GIFT! The disappointments of the undesirable milk and cake suddenly turned to excitement and wonder as I waited patiently for my present to arrive. It was a fair size box wrapped in a gaudy metallic colored paper with a bright red bow. I stared at the strange pick of birthday paper unaware if I was able to open it yet or not. “well aren’t you going to open it and show everyone what it is?” with out saying words I ripped through the paper anxiously awaiting what I would find underneath. To my surprise it was a magnificent and elegantly made show doll. Her dress was a long luscious red velvet . Long brown curly locks admiring her pale white skin and plush lips. Her eyes were bright sea blue that matched mine. I was speechless with my words as I my mind searched for the right ones to say. I took her out of the box and was startled by a screeching shout. “No Jane! You cant play with the doll its not a toy!” step mother snatched it away “Lets hope your father doesn’t get mad that you took it out of the box” My intense excitement suddenly turned to sadness. I took a deep breath trying to hide my flustered face and tearing eyes. “Now drink your milk and go play so I can clear the table” It was a few moments of bliss that was to good to be true. I nudged the girl next to me “You want my milk?” She crinkled her nose with just as much dislike as me “no thanks” I looked at the girl beside her who hadn’t even drank her own milk. She wasn’t much smaller than I was and looked just as sad as I felt. She nodded her head and took my cup. She gulped down the milk without expression and placed the cup back in front of my plate. She left hers untouched sending curiosity through my mind why she would drink mine and not her own.