I covered myself with my skull-and-crossbones hoodie as the driver, undeterred by the pouring rain, unloaded suitcases from the bus`s cargo hold. Finally I saw my suitcase, grabbed it, and huddled underneath the bus-stop shelter along with a crowd of other passengers. One thing hadn`t changed--Aunt Libby was nowhere to be found.
I watched as each traveler was picked up by their party until I was the only traveler left waiting at the stop. When tapping my boots in the rising puddles grew boring, I headed for the convenience store a few yards away. I checked the aisles for any hippie chicks with the scent of potpourri or women wearing Nairobi sandals and tie-dyed skirts. Unfortunately, all I saw were a few truckers and the hungry bus driver. I grew more excited to see my hipster Aunt Libby again. She and I were outsiders among the Madison clan. My aunt lived an unconventional lifestyle, working as a waitress in a vegan restaurant to support her acting career. She was a free spirit, and Hipsterville was a funky town where she could be her organic-eating, hemp-wearing, liberal self. Though we had different tastes, I always felt bonded with her in that we shared a passion for being different.
Ten minutes later, Aunt Libby was still nowhere to be found. Perhaps she was stuck in a rehearsal or filling up the saltshakers at the restaurant. I could feel the glare of the tattooed cashier. I didn`t want to appear to be loitering, which I was, or stealing, which I wasn`t. My stomach started to growl. I hovered over the candy aisle, debating which sugary cavity-forming candy to buy, when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around. A beautiful lady wearing pressed pants, a Happy Homes real estate jacket, and my dad`s smile was standing in front of me.
Aunt Libby? I asked, confused.
Raven! It`s great to see you! She gave me a hard squeeze and I could feel her rain- stained face against my own dampened one. I hope I wasn`t too late.
I just got here, I fibbed.
I bet you`re starved. We can stop and grab a bite. I took the rest of the day off. She lifted my suitcase and we hurried into her vintage Beetle.
I couldn`t help but stare at my aunt, who had traded her waitress outfit for a real estate one, as we buckled in.
Surprised to see me in a suit? she asked, obviously reading my thoughts.
I don`t think I`ve ever seen you without sandals and a flower in your hair, I teased.
I figured it was time to get a real job, she confessed. I didn`t bother telling your father. I haven`t been working that long and I`ve already taken a half day. She laughed. So who knows how much longer it will last.
She started the car and the engine putt-putted as she motored through the historic downtown area.
Aunt Libby was such an independent spirit, I felt disappointed and sad that she was giving up her dream. I didn`t want her to change, nor did I ever want to change. I wondered, if Aunt Libby had to give up her passions, would I have to, too?
Have you given up acting? I asked.
No, it`s in my blood, she said. In fact, I`m doing a one-woman show. You can take the girl out of acting but not the acting out of the girl.
I felt relieved. A one-woman show...That`s great. Soon enough you`ll have your own Oscar.
Aunt Libby chuckled, then turned serious. Raindrops pelted the windshield and the rustic wipers struggled to clear them as we headed toward her apartment.
Something felt strange as I gazed out the window. An eerie shadow blanketed the town as we drove through it. I thought I saw a few bats hovering over a church.
Wow...Those look like...
Bats?
Yes.
There was a nest of them in one of the houses we have on the market. You would have loved it!
Awesome.
And you would have loved this house we just rented.
Really? Is it spooky? Completely. It was a half-dead manor house.
A manor house? I asked. It couldn`t have been the one Alexander and Jameson had occupied last time I was here.
Yes, my aunt replied.
Well, there must be a lot in this town, I hinted.
Not too many. And not one like this.
What do you mean?