After the long vacation, Charlie finally learned what the surprise was that the music teacher had hinted at last year. When he received the new class schedule, one thing immediately stood out. There was an additional class. Music was no longer optional.

Later, the teacher explained everything. The school had received higher funding from the government due to the students’ high success rate, proof of the strength of its educational system. She saw an opportunity and pointed out the lack of proper musical instruments. It took time before those in charge agreed, but eventually they did. Now, the school finally had instruments, and students could learn music more efficiently. That was the real surprise.

Charlie was thrilled. He thought he could finally learn how to play the violin properly. But when he found out that the class was only twice a week, and that the violin would not be taught every period, his excitement faded into disappointment.

Two months later, his birthday arrived.

Usually, his aunt called his parents to remind them to throw a small party. If she could not come, she would send a gift and video call them to attend virtually, just like this time. It was Sunday, and Charlie woke up buzzing with excitement. Even without inviting friends, there would be cake, a wish to make, and presents to open. He had spent the whole week imagining what they might be.

When he went downstairs, he heard his aunt’s voice coming from the living room. The phone was on speaker.

“You give it to him after he sees your present,” she said sharply. “And I am warning you for the last time. Don’t you dare touch it again or even think about selling it. Believe it or not, I will come personally to break your arm.”

His father rushed to defend himself. “I do not gamble anymore. You know I learned my lesson.”

Of course he would not dare. After losing the house to pay his debts, after being beaten up by his younger sister before she handed him the keys to her home, and after realizing he could have left his family homeless because of his foolish decisions, the guilt still ate at him.

Marie noticed Charlie standing on the stairs and quickly changed the subject. “Here comes the birthday boy. Happy birthday!”

Charlie took the phone from his father and sat on the couch. “Good morning, aunty.”

“What a sweet little boy. Good morning. Are you going to blow the candles now, or wait until the evening?”

“I will do it now. What do you think I should wish for?”

“Anything you want. I am sure you thought about it all night. Can you tell me? I promise I will keep it a secret.”

“It is only one wish a year. Of course I have to think about it carefully. But I cannot tell you. What if it does not come true?”

“Alright, I will not ask anymore,” she said, then called out to her brother to bring the cake.

He placed it on the table in front of Charlie and lit the candles.

Charlie stared at the flickering flames, quietly arranging the words in his mind. He closed his eyes and wished, from the bottom of his heart, for a violin, and for the ability to play it like a professional. Then he blew out the candles.

His parents led him to the backyard to see the gift they had prepared. When he spotted the red bicycle shining under the sun, joy rushed through him. Now he could get to the park much faster.

“Although it is used, it works just fine,” his father said.

“Thank you,” Charlie replied.

“Your brother painted it,” his mother added. “He said you would like it better if it was red.”

Charlie looked at his brother, who avoided his gaze, and thanked him anyway. He rode the bicycle for a while before they all went back inside.

Then his father brought out a larger box, one Charlie remembered seeing the mailman deliver a few days earlier.

Marie’s voice came through the phone again. “That is the gift I sent. Give the phone to your mother so she can hold it. I want to see properly when you open it.