Love In Destin ✔

02 - as it was

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𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒂

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"𝗜𝗙 𝗜 𝗗𝗢𝗡'𝗧 have some cake soon I might die," says Stanley Hudson from The Office.

Aunt Abby giggles at Stanley's expression, and I join the humor with a light chortle. My mouth moves in the same rhythmic manner, teeth crushing the delicious pizza. My bare legs rest on Aunt Abby's lap, and it doesn't bother her one bit as the only thing her mind is focused on is season four of The Office.

After showering, I opted for black khaki shorts and an oversized grey t-shirt with the graphic of Strawberry Shortcake right in the center. My messy bun topples over my head, and the scrunchie falls to the floor as my hair hangs loosely, blocking my vision.

Aunt Abby giggles again with both hands placed on her abdomen. I reach for the fallen scrunchie on the carpet. "Got it!" A sense of satisfaction races through me, and I tightly tie up my hair. The credits roll as episode eleven has just concluded.

"I just missed the closing parts?" I groan.

Aunt Abby delicately slaps my leg, "Calm down. Michael and Dwight went to New York to party with Ryan, who had many personal and professional problems. The rest of the office employees work late and wind up getting locked in the business park."

"Seriously?"

She nabs both my legs and places them on the sofa's carpet.

"No, not seriously," she says, forcing a deliberate expression, but the humorous glint is still visible on her mask-covered face. Did I mention my aunt is obsessed with beauty hacks? Before sitting down to eat, she made an avocado mask for herself.

"Was that supposed to be a sarcastic remark?" I question her.

She stands up, grabs the pizza box, lays the plates on top, and heads for the kitchen." Maybe," she replies. I help her by grabbing the two glasses and following her.

"Mom is skilled in that department," I express, recalling how Mom gets full-on sarcasm when she gets pissed or annoyed.

She doesn't respond to my statement, and I refrain from questioning her further. She dumps the box and crumbs in the dustbin and washes the plates. I lean near the sink with folded arms, observing her as she does so.

"We can go out tomorrow," She has her eyes on me as she rinses the plates. "To get a few things to make that room of yours look like it's, well... yours,"

I set myself up straight, seizing the dishcloth to wipe the wet dishes."That's great. I've already pictured what I want it to look like,"

"Filled with Strawberry Shortcake posters, blankets, lamps—" she commences, with a slight tug on her lips.

"No, no, no," I shake my head, chuckling at the thought. "Something more mature."

"Your t-shirt says otherwise, little missy." She directs her eyes to my t-shirt, giving me a crooked smile.

"I agree. I am still fond of Shortcake," I gawk at the wall in front of me, getting lost in my delightful childhood memories and then back at her, "but I've grown Aunt Abby,"

She smiles at me, patting her hand on my head, her silent way of informing me how proud she is of me.

"For what?"

"Just," she shrugs. "like that," She touches her face, scratching a particular spot. "Damn, I gotta wash this off," She starts her journey to the bathroom but swiftly cranes her head at me. "Place the dishes in the cupboard on the left," She tells me and treks right out.