A pinata hangs next to streamers and cellophane banners with Nemo playing in the background. Children fight over party favors and cookie wafers until they dye their t-shirts rainbow. The cramped dining room, filled with unfamiliar family. sings in unison the birthday song with wishes of wealth and good health until the short breath of the restless boy smothers the flame on the cake. He starts a new year seperated from you, with only a memory of your scent of smoke.