When I'm Gone

Two

  The girl thanked the taxi driver and glanced a her Aunt's looming brownstone. It had a certain charm to it, but she could care less about the "charm". It was ugly, and she couldn't imagine living in it. She trekked up the stairs regretting her choice to wear a dark cotton t-shirt and jeans, it was way too hot in New York for her. She then rang the doorbell with her sweaty palm, maybe leaving that Gabe guy hadn't been the best idea.

"Coming!" She heard her Aunt's tinkling laughter. "You sure are early, Gabe. Punctual."

She scoffed, glad she had made the reservations. He had made her wait an extra twenty minutes, so punctual was something he wasn't.

"Darlene!" Her Aunt screeched as she enveloped her in her arms. "You've grown up so well!"

Darlene stared at her Aunt Lexi, she didn't look a day over 35, with bangles and bracelets all over her arms that moved melodically with her, and her long brown hair flowing around her face. She looked so regal, so beautiful and so much like her father, with the same bright grey eyes, hooked nose, and broad smile. She looked so much like him that Darlene felt tears pricking her eyes.

Her Aunt glanced at her with empathy in her eyes, she had lost her twin brother, but it couldn't even compare to what her niece was going through.

"How about you come inside and I show you around, okay?" Lexi suggested, helping Darlene enter the house.

"Okay." Darlene's voice faltered, but she told herself, she could do it. She could do it.

"I honestly don't know what went on in my brother's head when he named you Darlene Blythe Young." Lexi gagged at the thought. " You know what, I'ma call you Darby."

Lexi looked at her niece, a small smile on her face. "Would you like that?"

"Yes. Yes, I would love that. " Darby grinned, it had been the first time in six months and it felt great. Maybe she really could do it.