To get my mind off Aunt Alba and Uncle Robert, I took snapshots of the outside world. It was a glorious day to do so. I changed clothes and grabbed my camera. Then I went to the front yard to snap pictures. Buildings and people. Trees. Birds. Flowers. Cars. I do not remember how long I was out there, but it felt like an eternity. No longer was I hungry. I wanted to take snapshots for the rest of the day - or until my parents gave me the okay.

I was hanging onto hope. Just because my mother said that was final did not mean that was not her and Dad's final decision. Maybe they would change their minds. I could not miss out on an opportunity. It may not come again. I wanted to go once. Only once. I wanted the full experience. Louis was not going until tomorrow, so our parents had time to change their decision. And I had to persuade them. But how?

Dad opened the front door. "Lucia. Breakfast time."

I did not hear him and kept snapping photos of a bird's nest. I love animals.

"Lucia!"

I lowered said camera and shifted my focus to him. My happiness was replaced by sadness when I recalled my aunt and uncle. I could not hide it. "What is it, Dad?"

"Breakfast is ready. Come in if you want some."

"I will be there in just a minute. I must take one more."

"You mean...want to. No one is forcing you to snap one last picture."

"I must take as many as possible to show Uncle Robert and Aunt Alba. They will be heartbroken if they do not see them."

"Lucia. May I talk to you for a minute?"

"Is it about Uncle Robert and Aunt Alba? Why I cannot go, huh?"

He held the door open. "Yes."

I uttered a heavy sigh and trudged into the house. "You do not have to waste your breath, Dad. Mom gave me a lecture already. I am not going—"

He interrupted. "Your mother and I would like to have a conversation with you."

"Is that really necessary?"

He closed the door. "Only if you want a good chance of visiting."

My parents and I were enjoying breakfast at said table. Eggs with hash browns and French toast. Hash browns are my favorite - among other foods. But it was hard to enjoy them when I was dreading the conversation with my parents. They did not want to bombard my brother with our talk, so they let him eat in the other room. He was on the couch and watching his show. I wished that I was watching television. But my other wish was going to come true.

I poked my eggs until the yolk spilled out. I am not the only person who dips toast in yolk - right? I grunted. "I do not get why we need to have this conversation. Why can we not wait until after breakfast?"

I prefer to stay quiet while eating. I would like to enjoy my food, thank you very much. My writer is the same.

Dad swallowed his food pieces. "Better now than later, Lucia."

I laid back and crossed my arms. "I am aware that I am not allowed in Robert and Alba's mansion."

Mom was sipping on her drink and put it on said table. "Honey, you are always welcome. It is just that you are allergic to the cold."

"I have had this allergy for three miserable years. I can handle it myself. I know between right and wrong."

Dad dropped his fork in his plate. "I would not say that these last three years were miserable. You are handling your allergy maturely and taking good care of yourself. It is for that reason that your mom—"

Mom was chewing. "Reluctantly. I am reluctant."

A long whoosh of air escaped his nose. "Your mom and I have...reluctantly...decided to...let you go."

I grabbed the edge of the table. My eyes widened. "You are letting me go? Is that what you said?"

"Yep. Mom and I were chatting while making breakfast and realized that you were right. You are old enough to make decisions. Some decisions. You are almost a teen and can control your allergy. So...we are letting you go. Just be cautious."

I scooted back my chair and leaped to my feet. "I...I do not know what to say."

"How about a thank you?" Mom said. "And a hug and a kiss?"

"Why would I do those things?"

They looked at each other. Then back up at me. "Lucia. We thought that you would be more appreciative," Dad said. "You have been wanting to go for three years."

"I never wanted to leave the house."

Mom's face scrunched up. "You wanted to earlier."

I realized that we were talking about different things. I felt like the biggest loser in this series. "My gosh."

"What is wrong?"

I plopped back in my chair. "You will never believe me. I really thought that you wanted to kick me out of here. But you were referring to the mansion."

She reached out and grabbed my hand. She flashed me a smile. "We would never want to get rid of you, honey. You might annoy us at times, but we love you."

"So you will let me visit Uncle Robert and Aunt Alba?"

"On one condition."

"What is that?"

"Stay close to your aunt and uncle and listen to them."

"No problem."

As soon as my plate was empty, I raced to my bedroom and began to pack. I tossed the suitcase on my bed and scanned the room. I was staying at the mountains for a week. No need to bring much. I pulled open my drawer and started picking clothes.

I noticed someone from the corner of my eye and came face-to-face with Louis. He stood in the doorway.

"You should not go."