Synopsis/Details
Emily’s dad has left her and her mother. Mom is terribly sad. . . and drinking. Emily wants to help her, but can’t figure out how.
That’s when the Birthday Fairy – a diminutive, furry creature – appears. It can make Emily’s mom happy if Emily doesn’t make any birthday wishes until she turns ten. Then, all those saved wishes can be combined into one big wish to make Mom happy.
Emily agrees.
On the day of her tenth birthday party, her father is there with his latest girlfriend. After the candles are blown out and the wish made, Emily throws a big piece of cake onto her dad’s shirt. It’s funny. . . until he bursts into flames. Nothing and no one can put him out. He dies on the floor of his injuries.
Mom is shocked to see her daughter smiling.
Emily is sent to an asylum. Eventually, the Fairy appears in her room. She tells it that she’s not happy here. The Fairy hands her sticks to rub together since fire is “cleansing.” As it disappears, Emily – knowing the night nurse rarely checks on her – starts rubbing the sticks together.
Soon, there will be cleansing flame.
