Nina bit into a chocolate mouse. The brown outside cracked and red cherry juice ran down her chin. Her sister Scarlett took a mouse by the tail and popped it into her mouth too.
Nina had already blown out five candles. She had opened her presents—her favorite was a bright blue bicycle! Eating the mice was the last part of her birthday celebration.
“They’re so cute,” Nina said. “Let’s make more!”
“We’ll make the mice again on your next birthday,” Mom answered.
“Oh, good,” said Nina. “I hope it’s soon!”
“Nina, it’s a whole year before you turn six,” said Grandma. “A year
