757Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPBdov24v0
"Is it here?"
757Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsREKJD0f6
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.
757Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZF3SQR8DBI
"I'm sorry," she muttered to Ray.
757Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalmBN4SAPz
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?"
757Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn28ap4MEhL
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."
757Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgA5fQTYob
Her smile grew; it was almost a grin, but not quite. She nodded at her older sister's words and embraced her.
757Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jCJOpM3Nf
"Come," Venice whispered as she hugged her back. "Let's eat the leftover bread."
757Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWK0MHTuf6U
Ray looked up into her gray orbs. "But the bread is hard, Venice."
757Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpqzXu3BDW
She forced a smile to reassure her. "We can dip it in our milk. Don't worry. It will be alright..."
757Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCk40QKqiys
Venice took Ray's warm hand in her frigid one as they disappeared into the darkness of their kitchen.
