Welcome to case closed. You're listening to the Block Party by Jamie Day, narrated by Megan Tousing and Susie Jackson.

Let's pick up where we left off last week.

Chapter 39

Lettie It's April 20th, which means I'm now 18 years old.

I don't feel like an adult, even though the law has deemed me one.

I can legally vote, join the military, work full time, get a tattoo, and adopt a child.

I've settled on doing only one of those things, at least come November.

Jay buys a scone at the local Starbucks, where we've met up to go over his progress tracking down Dylan's blackmailer.

He places it in front of me.

He's a croissant guy, still surprised by that.

And me, I'm all about the scone.

When he reaches into his pocket,

I'm sure he's going for his vape pen.

To my surprise, he takes out a small candle.

He spears the end of it into the scone.

Happy birthday, Lettie, he says.

He's got a lighter on him and just like that,

the candle flame is flickering, enticing me to blow it out.

Make a wish.

I pause then say,

I wish my parents would pay for me to take a gap here to travel.

With a huff out goes the flame.

...