667Please respect copyright.PENANAvuPtkr9xvo
"Is it here?"
667Please respect copyright.PENANAlMk0TciuOE
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.
667Please respect copyright.PENANA7pduVWK1wc
"I'm sorry," she muttered to Ray.
667Please respect copyright.PENANAufsSV3J7jS
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?"
667Please respect copyright.PENANAyP0sh0KJik
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."
667Please respect copyright.PENANARnNmV1XfNc
Her smile grew; it was almost a grin, but not quite. She nodded at her older sister's words and embraced her.
667Please respect copyright.PENANAfHJPTdkDow
"Come," Venice whispered as she hugged her back. "Let's eat the leftover bread."
667Please respect copyright.PENANAlC0Yz94xXS
Ray looked up into her gray orbs. "But the bread is hard, Venice."
667Please respect copyright.PENANAwg27kBj3fF
She forced a smile to reassure her. "We can dip it in our milk. Don't worry. It will be alright..."
667Please respect copyright.PENANAjREGYzYFoG
Venice took Ray's warm hand in her frigid one as they disappeared into the darkness of their kitchen.