Drowning(Hiatus)

Chapter 1

Around 8 in the morning, I woke up to Aunt Diana's hollering for me to come down for breakfast.

"I know you're exhausted," said Diana. "All that travelling and unpacking must be tiring. But I'm not going to let you sit around and become a sloth. You work starting tomorrow," she declared as she flipped one then two pancakes simultaneously. Her hair neatly tied into a bun behind her. She wore a red and green checkered button up shirt over a plain white tee.

"I see," I said and thought the idea of keeping busy while I was here sounded inviting but one thing bothered me and I had to ask. "Umm, you won't ask me to milk the cows by any chance, would you? Because I'm not really sure how to do that."

"What?" Dave chortled from beside me. "No kiddo, you clean around the house or feed the chickens. Contrary to the popular belief, farming is not all about milking cows, ya know."

"Yes, leave the milking to us, honey," she chuckled, the side of her that reminded me of my mother. I felt a lump gathering in my throat and I struggled to swallow.

"In fact," she continued. "I have an errand for you. In the basement cellar you'll find some wheat ale. I put it separate for sampling. Deliver it to the address on that fridge and look around town while you're at it, it's not that big. You'll get used to the place in no time." She put one pancake each on mine and Dave's plate then settled at her spot next to Dave.

"Alright," I said and got up, walking over to the fridge. "I'll do that."

She looked at my plate and fretted, "Now? What about breakfast?"

"What's the matter kid? Not to your liking?" Dave jived as I pulled the address and shoved it in my pocket.

I made an effort to smile. "No, I'm just not a big fan of sweets," I lied. To be honest, everything here reminded me of my mother. I just wanted to get out of here.

Dave chided, "Well, you can eat what you want but you ain't gonna survive long in a farm without your sugar."

"Is there anything else you'd like instead?" Diana offered.

I felt bad refusing her breakfast so I added, "Eggs and toast would be lovely."

"Good then. Make it yourself from tomorrow on." she more than made up for the smile I lacked with her beaming grin. Dave snortled and I realized I was being told off.

"Okay," was all I managed before I took my leave. I grabbed a hand bag from my room and the ale sample from the cellar, pulled on my light brown overcoat from the hanger next to the entrance then left.

The address was for an inn. I followed a short gravel pathway that was adorned with a beautiful assortment of colourful scented flowers. Looking at it as I walked, I felt that I could get used to this place.

As my destination neared, I realized that the inn was only ten minutes away from the farmhouse. I looked around and saw that it was the center of many bustling places in this town which obviously meant a lot of traffic coming its way.

I wasn't a big fan of crowded places but I particularly feared social encounters that would beseech my privacy. It was a good idea that I decided to come early on a work day. It meant less chances of any awkward confrontations on my behalf.

I walked inside and the bells jingled. The bartender behind the bar looked up with a welcoming smile. He looked to be in his mid-twenties with a fresh appearance and the vibrance of amiability that was probably contagious if given enough time. His face had a faint morning shadow growing and his hair was a shaggy black that was ruffled into a clip at one side to keep it out of his brown eyes. Looks like he was in the middle of cleaning, judging by the soggy dish cloth in his hand. No other employee in sight. I guess I'm too early. This is an inn, after all.