The sun was low in the sky as Reverie arrived at her aunt’s house, the familiar sight of the little cottage instantly soothing her. Her aunt, Aunt Rosie, was already waiting on the porch, her face lighting up as she saw Reverie step out of the taxi with her bags.
“Erie!” Aunt Rosie called, rushing over to embrace her. “I wasn’t expecting you so soon. I thought you’d be too busy with… everything!”
Reverie smiled faintly, hugging her back. “I just… needed to come home,” she replied, her voice soft.
Aunt Rosie studied her face carefully, noticing the faint shadows under her eyes, the way her smile didn’t quite reach. “Come inside, come inside,” Aunt Rosie said, guiding her into the house. “I just finished making dinner.”
They stepped into the warm, cozy interior, and Reverie instantly felt her shoulders relax, the familiar scents and soft lighting wrapping around her like a comforting hug.
As they settled at the dinner table, Aunt Rosie kept stealing glances at her, her curiosity evident. She tried to keep things light, chatting about the neighbors and a new cat that had shown up in the garden. But eventually, she couldn’t resist.
“So… tell me,” Aunt Rosie said, giving her a gentle smile. “What brings you back here so suddenly? I thought you’d be celebrating with your friends.”
Reverie’s hand froze around her glass for a brief second before she forced a smile, quickly looking down at her food. “Oh, you know, it’s… it’s just so hectic in the city,” she said, letting out a small laugh. “And with the debut coming up, I thought it’d be nice to get away for a bit. Just some quiet time.”
Aunt Rosie’s brow furrowed, but she nodded. “I see… well, it’s always nice to have you back here. You know you can stay as long as you want.” She paused, watching Reverie’s face. “Are you sure there’s nothing else going on?”
Reverie quickly shook her head, forcing a light tone. “No, no! It’s just… you know, all the practice, preparation and exam. It gets overwhelming.”
Aunt Rosie nodded slowly, clearly unconvinced, but she didn’t press further. Instead, she reached out and patted Reverie’s hand. “Well, I’m just glad you’re here. The house feels a little too big without you around.”
Reverie chuckled softly, taking a sip of her tea to cover the tension in her throat. “Maybe I can help around the house too. Do some cooking, fix up the garden…”
Aunt Rosie raised an eyebrow. “Cooking? Since when did you decide to start cooking?”
Reverie let out a laugh. “Well, you know, it’s never too late to learn, right?”
“Hmm,” Aunt Rosie replied, a small smile playing on her lips. “All right, but don’t go burning down my kitchen, okay?”
The two shared a laugh, and for a brief moment, Reverie felt the tightness in her chest ease. But as the laughter faded, her aunt’s gaze softened, filled with a quiet understanding.
“You know,” Aunt Rosie began gently, “sometimes… it’s okay not to keep everything to yourself. I’m here for you, sweetheart. Whatever it is, you don’t have to face it alone.”
Reverie bit her lip, looking down at her plate. The urge to tell her aunt everything surged within her, but the weight of her secrets felt too heavy to release. She didn’t want to drag her aunt into the darkness she was struggling with, not when she was already under Kazu’s watchful eye.
Instead, she reached across the table, squeezing her aunt’s hand. “I know, Aunt Rosie,” she said quietly. “Thank you… really. I just need a little time.”
Aunt Rosie gave her hand a gentle squeeze in return, her eyes full of love and worry. “Take all the time you need, Erie. And remember, you don’t have to carry this burden alone.”
Reverie nodded, blinking back the sting of tears. “Thank you,” she whispered, grateful for the comforting presence of the one person who had always been there for her.
The evening passed quietly, and for a while, Reverie let herself settle into the familiar routine, talking with Aunt Rosie about simpler things, recipes, gardening, old family memories. But as she lay in bed later that night, staring up at the ceiling, her mind drifted back to the reality she couldn’t escape.
In the darkness, the thoughts of Noah, Kazu, and the looming danger swirled around her, weighing heavily on her heart. But for tonight, she let the gentle comfort of home be her refuge, even if it was only temporary.
-23OCTOBER2004
YOU ARE READING
Echoes Of The Unseen
RomanceAfter the breakup with Aries, Reverie's life took a dramatic turn. Heartbroken and lost, she thought she'd never be able to move on from her first love. But with her best friends Noah, Danielle, and Theodore by her side, she found a way to smile aga...
