The store was simple but welcoming. Exactly what I expected from a small countryside convenience store, walking around the candy aisle it did not have my favorite chocolate, so buying anything was a lost cause. What am I saying? I was swayed by Theodore's indecisive face, as he chooses between two identical chocolate milk bars.
Claude smiled tenderly, approaching the clerk on the counter "Hey, Old Man. How is business these days?" the strange man, opened the little wooden piece that separated him from Claude and went in for a warm hug.
"As always, the best in this entire village. Kiddo, you have grown so much!" a very calm and welcoming owner too. I guess, I did not mind this outcome, my old home would be lifeless without anyone there.
This place had much more life, and I deeply enjoyed the atmosphere created by this cozy store.
I was drawn close to the cozy boy and the nice store clerk "Harriet, this is Mr. Clay. The proud owner of this-". Mr. Clay, smiled brightly, as he hugged me. I had no idea what this meant and did not know how to react. He let go of me and took a step back, close to Claude.
"It was about time you brought your girlfriend, Kiddo." The flush of blood directly into my face was intense.
I wonder if I look like the strawberries Mr. Clay was selling.
If Theodore had heard this, he would spew all that conservative older brother bullshit. So, what if I date or do anything with Claude? I might adore Theodore. But, as far as I know he does not own me.
Claude brightly smiled and did not even attempt to correct the misunderstanding "Old Man. This is the little girl that used to live here." All the blood seemed to have been drained out of that man's face and his eyes carried a heavy burden beneath the look he gave me. A disgruntling face, I was tired of seeing.
"It was about time you came. You have her eyes girl" He slowly walked in the direction of a back door.
I desperately tried to understand, walking along the old man. "What do you mean exactly?", Theodore confusedly peeking behind one aisle and Claude standing at a considerable distance, both quiet waiting for anything to happen.
The old man turned his head around and said, "Alana's eyes were like yours, like broken glass." That is not what I wanted to know about his enigmatic words. But it seemed he would not say more than that.
A bling of hope crossed my eyes "Did you happen to know my mother?"
His eyes deprived from the warmth he displayed just a few moments ago "I won't say anything, you are not worth the suffering. THEY would make my life living hell." Theodore stormed from aisle to aisle making his way to us.
Grabbing the man by his shoulder he had a murderous look in his eyes "What was it that you said, old fart?"
Claude stepped forward to intervene "Stop you prick! What do you think you are doing?" His soft demeanor replaced with a savage and uncontrolled strength.
"Let go of me, you disrespectful kids." the man screamed from the top of his lungs "Girlie, come with me." The boys stepped in to come with me, and the old man glanced at them as if he would kill them "Just Alana's daughter."
Guided by Mr. Clay I found myself in the storage behind the convenience store, a stuffy and dark place, filled with dust, resting above big boxes piled up everywhere. Probably, filled with the goods for the store.
He tapped the floor with his feet, a wooden floor that appeared to have not been changed with the renovation. One of the boards detached from the floor, laying close to the man's feet. Revealing something shining from beneath the floor level.
"I can't crouch down, pick it you for me Miss." My hands reached into the hole, perfectly made to hide the cold and strong build of the box lying there. Beautifully engraved with a setting sun on the top.
Was it my mom's?
"Listen here, this is my last attachment to her. I will tell you something, but you must promise to never come here again." I was ecstatic, trembling hands made me engulf the box next to my stomach.
"I promise Mr. Clay!" What was it? This all seemed like a dream, a set up plan to trick me. A box, my mom left me a box secretly hidden here. How is this possible?
"I have no fucking idea what is inside kid. But that woman told me if it were you, it could, be opened. She told me a cheesy phrase that had something to do with the sunset." His eyes melancholic as he stared at my eyes, creeped me out "Goodbye, my dear, Alana." The man rushed out of the storage.
"Sir, I have so many questions. Please, I won't tell no one about this!" I ran but he managed to walk faster than me as he stepped out of the front door.
Outside, two big dumbasses looking distraught, a big metal box in my hands and their surprised faces. I had trouble believing this, it was all so alien to me. This was real life, not a movie.