Prologue "Leyliene!" mama cried, "why would you open Marliene's birdcage?" Little Leyliene Halley stared at mama. "What on Earth seems to be the problem?" papa called from the living room. I was the first to speak. "Leyliene let Cricket and Tinsel out!" Papa walked into the kitchen, "we've got tinsel in the garage and I'm sure you could catch a cricket." I knew he was joking, and I didn't love it, but I couldn't stop myself from laughing. Then, I was all business. "Daddy! My BIRDS!" I cried out. He stopped laughing and bent down to give me a hug. At age 7, I fit in his arms perfectly. "Leyliene was a bad girl!" My daddy grinned. "If she is a bad girl, is she a boy?" Even I laughed. Then, 4 year old Leyliene spoke. "Deady!" My mom sighed, "Daddy, Leyliene, not deady." Leyliene cried out, "Noooooo. Deady." When she had tantrums, I knew to stay away. With a sigh, I went to my room, thinking about my 2 poor pet birds, let loose into the wild.
