At Merriemoore Square

2: Darling Aunt

 There I am silently gazing at the oak wood sign, nothing on my mind, just a feeling of unease

I know it will be hard managing to get used to this new town, I'm not entirely hating the idea of a new life, It's just, it all seems to be happening so fast. I don't know when I will stop processing things, nor if I could ever stop processing things. 

I stayed silent for a couple more minutes, dad finally noticed and ask "What's up boyo, any thoughts on our new home?" 

"It's pleasant, Dad you know I won't be living with you if I continued school, right?" Dad's smile slowly lowered. "Well I'll still be in town, you can visit me, I mean the school literally is just blocks away from here, it's just a walk away." "What about your health? The therapist said I should keep notes on you, I can't risk you having a breakdown while eating your cereal." He smiles, that grin of his assuring me all will be fine "I assure you I got that covered" I really hope I can trust that.

Father shows me a picture that I recognize from anywhere, her olive eyes the same as mine, the best and comforting warm hugs I had were of hers, her soft appearance, her hazel lockes goes up to her shoulder and a smile that reminds me of my father. "Is that..." My eyes widened to a surprise, I'm absolutely happy I get to stay near her vicinity after all she's my-

"Aunt Patricia" 

"Mhm, my sister will be taking care of me while I help her in the bakery." Father assured me, a contented smirk formed my face. The only memories I had with Aunt Patricia were the ones that was really fun, i've never had a bad memory of her. She would take me canoeing in summer, knitting in winter and even taught me how to bake. Father never told me she lives in Cooper Lake, in all honesty never asked. I was always so ecstatic to see her that I never ask questions. I now understand why she only comes twice a year, the road from Cooper Lake to the city is a pretty hassling journey, so she only travels when it's my birthday or Christmas. Also I imagine the gas fee from across that journey is enormously expensive, no wonder why she always said the trip to our home was worth a vacation. "We should stop by her first! I miss her." "We will, we will."

The town was bustling of locals, the many shops surrounded the town square. A silver statue of a beautiful lady in the middle glorified as she holds a book and quill. She seems familiar, a lady sculpted with flawless features. Her eyes carved with pupils and irises as if it was a real human. Weirdly enough it's angelic appearance is entrancing, as if it's a real person. "That's Lady Damiane Cooper, she's the reason why this town is still standing today. I heard from lot of stories of her from your aunt. How in the war she stole an entire truck load of shipment just so she could feed her people, re-planting most of the trees here and lastly" 

"The one where she drowned in the lake?"

Aunt Patricia seemed to never tell the tales he tells father to me other than that one, her death. "Mhm" Father took a sharp turn, and parked near a rustic, wooden establishment. A sign saying 'Crocus Cafe' it's quite big. I smell the scent of fresh pastries and the nutty aroma of coffee on our way inside. Is this Aunt Patricia's? Didn't father say it's just a bakery?

Stepping unto the wooden flooring, Dad embraces her sister. Aunt Patricia opened her eyes a bit more when she looked at me, lifting her glasses up a bit then placing it back. She's calling me as with an open welcome, her hands inviting me come forward. Her plump figure embraced me to a warm hug, her face full of joy comforted every anxious trace of my being. Her presence alone makes me undeniably happy. 

"Abbie, I miss you! You're quite taller than we last met on Christmas! You're even more handsome than your father now." Father took that one personally, I just laughed it off. "Aunt Patricia, this place is amazing" I was in awe, father told me the story of how Aunt Patricia was left to run the family business all on her own because of how hard-headed she is to stay. Even if the land was near being reclaimed, Aunt Patricia held her stand and grew the family business all on her own with grandpa and grandma.