by Nikoletta Gjoni Luke Southern Vlorë, Albania, 1946 Ermina stared at her lace socks sitting snuggly at her ankles like little crowns above her feet. She was too short to reach the floor and even then, at seven-years-old, she felt her little heart thrum against her chest in anxious anticipation. Her mother’s hand fell tenderly on her shoulder. “Are you excited?” she asked with a laugh. “Yes!” Ermina chirped. She was excited but didn’t know how to vocalize that she was also n