It was my seven and a half year birthday. My mom finally let me bike to the store by myself. To buy a candy bar. Snickers or Butterfinger. Mom said cake and ice cream were reserved for whole year birthdays. But new freedoms and loose change spent on candy bars were perfect for half year birthdays. I was elated.

When I returned home, I had a Snickers Almond melting in my pocket. To this day, I’ve never felt like such an adult.