The metal of the shopping trolley was cool against my fingers as I followed Auntie Kate into the supermarket. She stopped once we past the threshold; the vegetable aisle ahead of us, and perused the contents as if she were a Colonel on a battlefield assessing casualties.
"Ok, so I wanted you to come so you can pick out what you'd normally eat. I am afraid that I am not a very good cook..."
"I can cook!" I jumped in eagerly. I would cook every night if it meant I didn't have to endure another lentil surprise. "Well, you know, I used to cook for us a bit..."
"Great. I will likely be working a lot of evening shifts at the restaurant, so are you ok to fend for yourself, food wise?"
I nodded. Mum had worked shifts so I was used to it.
As we navigated the aisles, I put a few things into the trolley. I made sure to put in the cheapest brand of everything. I had a sense that money wasn't great at the restaurant. I was going to try to get a job, but they were hard to come by at my age.
After stocking up on some vegetables and tofu for Auntie Kate, we turned down the next aisle. Meat. I hesitated for a moment. My plan was to make a massive vat of pasta sauce that I could have for a couple of days and then freeze the rest for next week. I just needed some sandwich stuff for lunch and I was sorted.
"You don't have to be Veggie just because I am ..." Auntie Kate said over my shoulder, as if reading my thoughts.
"Are you sure?"
She pushed her hair back behind her ears. "So long as it is on a separate shelf, I don't mind."
I smiled and grabbed a pack of ham.
We were heading towards the checkouts when I saw her. I didn't have time to readjust our course before we were right in front of her.
"Kyle!" Mrs Salinger threw her arms around me and pulled me into a big hug. She was always one for hugs and I took in her familiar scent. It reminded me of her house; I had spent so much time over the years, that I felt as comfortable there as in my own home.
She pulled me back, took a look at me and squeezed my shoulder.
"Kyle, how are you? Drew said that you aren't doing too badly, all things considered." She fiddled with the strap of her bag.
Drew had obviously been acting like he knew what was going on with me. I just nodded.
"Ben was just saying how we have missed having you around the house over the last few weeks."
Seems Drew had been less than honest with both his parents.
"Things have been complicated." I spoke the words to my shoes more than her.
"I can imagine."
I felt Kate shift her weight next to me and I remembered my manners.
"Sorry, this is my Auntie, Kate. I am living with her now. This is Mrs Salinger."
They shook hands.
"Kyle and my son Drew have been the best of friends since you were what, 7 years old?" Mrs S explained her connection whilst I gritted my teeth at her description of our relationship, whilst simply nodding in return. "They were at school together and of course Karate at least twice a week."
"Lovely," replied Kate with a smile.
"Are you local Kate?" Mrs S was good at talking to people - she was a GP at a local surgery. I had always imagined her to be very popular as she always took time with people.
YOU ARE READING
Given Up
Novela JuvenilFifteen-year-old Kyle Clark just wants to be left alone. No one seems to have gotten the memo. Everyone just wants him to talk about his Mum: his friends, his teachers and definitely his long lost Auntie that he now has to live with. He tries to...
