Synonyms For Better

Chapter 13 - Plant Predicaments Because Finn Doesn't Have a Green Thumb

I COULD procrastinate like it was no one's business. Like, if it were a job, I would be the next Bill Gates (or Ambani or Elon Musk or someone rich like that), hand's down. Fight me.

But I could only do it for so long because, unfortunately, I had a conscience. A looming one at that, one that always hovered by my shoulder, telling me to be the next Mother Teresa instead. 

Or, at least, to call my dear aunt and let her know I was still alive.

And I planned to do just that...but not yet (please read the first sentence of this chapter). I decided to call Aunt Cheryl after I'd finished putting up the plants that I had brought from home, the ones I had taken right before I'd quietly snuck out of the house that fateful night. 

But just my luck that while I was in the middle of starting to set everything up, Aunt Cheryl started to call. 

Finn was hanging out in the room, just playing a game or something on his phone. Before I'd left the room in a hurry, I'd asked him to take care of the plants for a second and water them, to which he agreed, and then I'd dashed out of there.

The outside of the hotel was pretty much like the inside: modest and homely. The lawn around it was trimmed perfectly, and different types of pretty flowers grew in the outdoor garden they had. 

Off to the side, I sat down on a moss-covered boulder. The twilight was casting a soft glow on everything around me, which comforted my nervous little soul as I took a deep breath, steeled myself, and answered Aunt Cheryl's call. 

"Cora? Is that you?" 

There was a mix of concern and relief evident in Aunt Cheryl's tone as her dramatic voice crackled through the small speaker of my phone before the static cleared. Oh, gosh. I missed her so much.

"Hey Aunt Cheryl," I began, my voice slightly shaking as I tried to sound casual. "I... I just wanted to let you know I'm fine. I'm alive. And I'm so sorry I left without telling you." 

There was a pause, and I braced myself for a scolding. I imagined Aunt Cheryl pacing back and forth, hand on her hip, ready to unleash the most worry-fueled lecture of the century. But instead, Aunt Cheryl sighed softly. "Oh, Cora. I'm just glad to hear your voice. It's okay. Really. I'm happy for you, and I mean it, honey. The risks you're taking, the adventures you're having...not everything has to be planned. Life isn't always like that." 

I blinked, completely taken aback. "Wait, so you're not mad?" I asked, half expecting Aunt Cheryl to suddenly burst out with a "Haha, gotcha!"

"Nope," Aunt Cheryl replied, sounding almost amused. "In fact, I'm proud of you for stepping out of your comfort zone. Sometimes, my dear, the best moments in life are the unplanned ones. Just don't make it a habit of giving me a heart attack, okay?" 

I couldn't help but laugh, my shoulders relaxing as a grin spread across my face. "Okay, I promise I'll keep my adventure-Hyde side to a minimum. I just didn't want you to worry. I'm so used to planning everything out, and this...this was different. But seriously, thanks, Cherry. It means a lot to hear you say that."

"And I'm really glad you set that text to send. It helped knowing you had a plan, even if it was just a safety net," Aunt Cheryl added. 

I grinned, feeling the weight lift off my shoulders. "I thought it might save me from a lecture, at least a little."

"You got lucky this time, missy," Aunt Cheryl warned teasingly. "Now, have fun and rock on, Cora. I want you to enjoy every moment of this adventure, alright?" 

"I will. Thanks, Cherry. Love you," I said, my heart swelling with gratitude. 

"I love you too, Cora. Take care, try not to get eaten by a bear, and keep me posted!"