719Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2QPc4QQ1y
"Is it here?"
719Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGoKV2tO1Z
Venice hadn't even finished closing the front door all the way when Ray nervously asked her the question she was oh so melancholic about. Before she could even muster up the courage to speak, the younger girl's face fell in a way that meant she knew the mailbox was empty. It was almost as if her expectancy grew with each passing day as Venice's diminished.
719Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdf4suyX8W
"I'm sorry," she muttered to Ray.
719Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpaRo4IlAX
Her litter sister looked into her eyes with one last ray of hope. "Do you think our relatives will ever send us clothes and food?"
719Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHwk7qHzUa
Venice smiled wearily and patted Ray on the head. "One day, we'll be rich with closets of clothes from here to the North Pole. Don't worry, my girl."
719Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUtmJ5H4YL
Her smile grew; it was almost a grin, but not quite. She nodded at her older sister's words and embraced her.
719Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LjHINUsOM
"Come," Venice whispered as she hugged her back. "Let's eat the leftover bread."
719Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PqJ66k70n
Ray looked up into her gray orbs. "But the bread is hard, Venice."
719Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbIxuFnrI6
She forced a smile to reassure her. "We can dip it in our milk. Don't worry. It will be alright..."
719Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYwQf4NVcE
Venice took Ray's warm hand in her frigid one as they disappeared into the darkness of their kitchen.
