Seconds before the bus closes its door, Billy was able to enter it. She scanned to find a good place to sit alone but there she spotted Drim at a corner – looking at her heavily. She was about to leave the vehicle after seeing the other but her niece suddenly appeared at her side and grabbed her. Drim took her by the arm and dragged her to the farthest seats at the back. Then she pointed an empty seat at the corner edge to cue Billy where to sit. She was shivering like a wet Chihuahua as the younger one sit too closely next to her.
‘What’s wrong with you aunt?’ she sighed ‘Why are you avoiding me?’
‘I’m not!’ Billy murmurs ‘I’m not avoiding you. What made you think such way?’
‘Sure you’re not.’ Drim is never comfortable sitting next to someone, her aunt as well; they are both suffering this position just to get to some point of clarity.
The bus started running and she returned her eyes to the windows.
‘Do you really see the world the way I do?’
‘Yes Drim. How many times do you have to ask that question?’
‘You lied.’ Now she’s angry and her stare burns.
‘Why would I lie about that Drim! Think about it.’
‘You said those things because you want me to live normally… happily.’ Drim calmed.
‘No that is not tru-’
‘Thank you.’
‘Drim… there are other things you should know.’
‘What is it? Am I not you niece as well?... Who am I?’
‘When you were younger, you had the same face as my daughter so I had to take you with me.’
‘Take me? Did you take me from my parents!?’
‘No. That’s not what happened. I got you from an orphanage.’
‘Oh… Did they tell you who my parents are?’
‘You were one of those ‘knock and run’ cases.’
‘I see… I was never wanted.’
‘Yes you are.’ Billy smiled, it’s been years ‘You are the second best thing that ever happened to me!’
‘Really?’
‘Yes... though it was very rough back then.’
‘Is it because I’m strange?’
She did not answer Drim’s question and asked ‘Hey, do you know the best thing that ever happened in my life?’
‘What is it? Is it Abrigale? Of course you would favor your daughter.’
‘No… It was when you were sixteen and screaming every time because I was drinking all day.’
‘W-What do you mean?’
‘It was when you left me and I realized that Abrigale is gone, Mark left me but Drim- Drim never forgets about me! She might not be at home but I can feel her eyes on me… I- I don’t deserve you.’ She began crying.
‘This is why you’re pushing me away.’
‘I’m so sorry Drim.’
‘It’s ok aunt. Its better if you don’t get too close.’
‘What do you mean?’ Without a word, Drim left her. She pulled the emergency lever and got off.
If she uses the forest path, it would take an hour lesser but the pressure will be on her knees and stamina later. Today, Drim got the closure she wanted. It wasn’t because of any sort of influence or illusion but because of a bitter life. Something that got Billy in the long run. She can’t stay sober; she will someday be full and lose control of things. And the moment everything was poured out is the moment she was filled with another lesson again. But this time, she won’t regret it. Since Drim isn’t some other child, she ain’t like anyone else in the entire universe. She is special… that is why she will always be alone, but never lonely.
Tolman was surprised to see Drim head on her knees, sitting in front of his closed store.
‘Did you forget it’s Sunday?’
‘Are you going to church?’
‘Are you coming?’
‘Sure. I’ve nothing else to do today.’
After the service, they went to a sweet shop to grab some sour tapes. Both had lunch while at the farmer’s market and head back to Tolman’s house.
‘Would this be on my paycheck?’
‘Do you know what the friendship package includes?’
‘Whatever. I’ll just post a note to remind me of my debts.’
‘Then I’ll just use that money to buy you something again.’ He stated and took a strawberry flavored tape from the plastic bag. ‘Yum, yum.’
‘You’re too kind for this world. You know that right Carl?’ Drim grabbed a green apple flavored tape from it as well.
‘Nah. I’m just nice to you.’
‘You’re weird.’
‘But seriously though, I don’t know if life would be the same if I haven’t talked to you that rainy morning in first grade.’
‘Let me see…’ she stared into his soul ‘Not really. You will still serve your purpose without me.’
‘But I would not be this happy.’ He always tries to convey what he feels since grade school.
‘Nah, someone will replace my part in your life to keep things same.’
Tolman sighed ‘I really don’t know Drim. I mean- uh, you’re one in a billion.’
‘Really?’ she smiled ‘Now you’re just being too weird.’
He smiled to her as well ‘You’re strange too.’
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