'When someone shows you who they are, believe them them the first time,' by Maya Angelou
In Aunt Lisa's cozy kitchen, surrounded by the warm scent of baking and the quiet of a Sunday afternoon. My mind wanders to the puzzle pieces of life - how each person's experiences, loves, and losses shape them. I think of my own puzzle, worn and faded, with jagged edges that still fit together somehow.
Aunt Lisa's words echo in my mind: 'You're strong, Candy. You've survived what others can't.' But I know the truth - strength is a fragile mask, one that cracks under the weight of memories.
Aunt Lisa calls from the living room, her voice laced with impatience. 'Candy, almost done?' I let out a low groan, recognizing the familiar tone.
I shoot back, 'Auntie, cakes don't boil, they bake. Forty-five minutes, tops.
I marvel at how Aunt Lisa's patience transforms when she's with customers at the boutique - a far cry from her kitchen demeanour.
She's a great salesperson though, with a great sense of fashion and humour. Which is why I always steer clear of her boutique. Her persuasive charm is a threat to my bank account.
Besides this deadly skill, I absolutely adore her to the core because she's the closest thing to family. And the sole constant in my life when my birth givers chose to walk away. A truth I would never admit to her, but one that binds me to her forever.
I love her so much, this woman.
'Candy? Are you alright?' Aunt Lisa bursts into the kitchen with urgency at my silence.
'Nope, I got pulled into Jurassic world,' I chuckle, dramatically flailing. 'Aunt help me, aunt help me, aunt-'
'Honey, that's not funny,'she frowns, pursuing her lips. Then her eyes widen, 'God, you're done with the milkshakes? It's. Stunning!'
'Hands off,' I warn, whisking away the glasses of milky bliss with strawberry, chocolate and whipped vanilla layers glistening.
I place them on a high shelf mirroring Aunt's old trick. 'The tables have turned haven't they?'
'Hey, that's not nice,' she laughs eyes sparkling.
She cranes her neck, still fixated on the treats.
'Grow up , we have twenty five minutes left, just look-' I pause at the sound of the doorbell.
'Caden,' she yells and rushes out of the kitchen and I'm left standing here in annoyance to her response to Caden's arrival.
Aunt Lisa beams as she opens the door, revealing Caden, our neighbor and close family friend. His bright smile matched Aunt Lisa's enthusiasm.
"Caden, darling! Come on in!" Aunt Lisa exclaimed.
I nodded at Caden, exchanging a familiar, if slightly awkward, smile.
His eyes sparkled as he signed to me, 'party tonight, wanna come?'
I hesitated, feeling a mixture of guilt and annoyance, Caden's kindness was genuine but I wasn't interested in parties.
'No thanks, Caden, I'm not really into parties,' I signed back hoping to avoid hurting his feelings.
Aunt Lisa intervened, hands fluttering. Oh
'Nonsense Candy, you need to go out more. It'll be fun I promise. Caden's friend's birthday, you can't miss it.'
Caden's face lit up and he signed, 'It'll be low-key, I promise. Just friends, music and good food.' He winked emphasising, 'good food'.
I let my self smile at the thought of having countless delicacies, 'fine, but just for a little while.'
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