Connected

Chapter 2

Did you see what she wore last night? And to say that she has a thirteen year old daughter Tilda scoffs as she sips her iced-tea sitting on the porch looking out the road.

I bet that if the girls father was here she couldnt have dressed so inappropriately. aunt Gayle adds to Tildas comment.

These two hags are getting on my nerves. I have been sitting in the living room for the past hour listening to them chit-chat about other persons affairs as I read. Tilda just lives a few houses away from aunt Gayle and comes here every-single day, they dont even hide the fact that Im here when they talk about my business also. The past that I hate talking about or hearing others talk about.

Shush, here she comes Tilda says silencing aunt Gayle causing me to shift the curtain a bit that covers the glass window.

Hello there aunt Tilda and aunt Gayle Sharmane greets as she passes them while walking her dog. Yes, the same lady they were just gossiping about.

They both gave her a forced smile and wave at her as she passes to enter her house. When she was no longer in sight they roll their eyes and went straight back to gossiping about peoples business.

What a pair of hypocrites.

Shaking my head in disgust, I shift the curtain and went back to reading my book.

Keniel! aunt Gayle calls.

Letting out an exaggerating sigh I put down the book, open the door and walk towards her. For the past three days thats all they do call me to run errands and if I said that I was tired the complaining about what have I been doing to be tired begins.

Ms.Tilda I greet with a straight face she nods her head. Yes aunty I say turning to aunt Gayle.

Have you eaten as yet? she questions.

Im not at all surprise at the question because thats how she acts when anyones around. Not as yet I tell her awaiting the response she ALWAYS gives.

Look-

...at how skinny you areyou need to eat and stop acting as if theres nothing in the kitchen to eat. My-

God she finishes, Im still confused as to why he hasnt taken her as yet.

Bitchy much!

Anyways, I want you to go to the store and buy something for Tilda she announces. Tilda opens her purse and hands me a five hundred dollar bill which I took.

Purchase five aspirins and an ice packet she orders as if I had to buy it. I was raised to respect elderly people even if they were wooligans.

I slip my feet in my sandals and off I go bending the corner in pure discomfort as I can feel their judgemental eyes already. The walk to the store has gotten relatively short these past few days, it may be due to my constant visits. I stretch forth my hand to push the door but is in confusion when the handle wasnt there, I look before me and smile in embarrassment as a man had already been holding the door so that I could go in and he could come out I assume.

Thanks I tell him in discomfort. He nods and smiles then exits the store.

I walk over to the small fridge in one of the four corners and retrieve an ice packet. As I made my way up to the counter, the smile of Mrs.Dawn greets me. The second kind gesture since the day began. Hi Mrs.Dawn I greet her returning the smile she gave me a few seconds ago.

Hi darlingis that all? she asks referring to the ice packet. Shes a very strong woman who looks to be in her sixties and must not have one bad bone in her body. Her and aunt are accomplices but its mostly hi and bye.

Can I get five aspirins also please

She stoops a little to get the aspirins from the drawer filled with pills.

Grandma a voice calls but not that I recognize. Grams the voice calls again as the figure shows up behind her from the small room.

Yes Dontaye? she answers as she places the aspirins on the small counter and collects the money and gives me a receipt but no change.

I couldnt help the urge to look up this time so I did only to see that he was already looking at me. She hands me a bag big enough to hold the ice packet and the pills. I divert my eyes back to my items packing them in the bag one by one.

Im going home now he tells her as he moves from behind the counter and towards me. Being close to someone especially a boy who looks like he does is never a good thing for me as it gets me anxious and fidgety. He walks past me as if I didnt even exist then again its not like I wouldn't have done the same thing.

When will you be back? she questions him.

Im not sure he replies and walks out the store.

Thank you I say briefly then start walking out the door and to my house trying not to think about my second encounter with him.

Authors Note: I know its progressing slowly but whats a good story without having persons wait patiently at the beginning and at the end of their seats near or at the ending?