Page 16 of Teach Me How To Fly

Some sounds of plates hitting each other broke the silence in the house, and I turned around to go to the kitchen where I knew I’d find Olivia cooking.

“Good afternoon, Miss Annalise!” she said as I entered the kitchen.

“Good afternoon,” I replied and walked closer to her. “It’s finally a good day now that we’re alone in the entire house. No one screws up the atmosphere,” I added and she giggled.

Her round cheekbones raised up when she laughed. She took some cinnamon from a jar and as soon as I smelled the magical scent, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath in.

“So, you’re making a dessert I suppose?”

“You’re right. It’s the first of September, so we have to celebrate the start of the fall season. I know how much you love it,” she explained and took the oven tray from the island.

I let my gaze fall on it and my heart filled with joy as I saw the perfectly put cinnamon rolls in it.

I wasn’t a big fan of eating pastries and things that would make me bloated, but we had this tradition every year. Eating pumpkin pie and cinnamon rolls on the first day of the fall months.

“I totally forgot what day it is,” I replied quickly and I felt a hint of shame sneaking into my mind as I allowed myself to forget this.

Olivia gave me a comforting smile and took my hand in hers. I noticed how callused and harsh her fingers were, and I knew it was because of all the hard work she had to put in.

She was always taking care of our entire home, while also providing us the best food. I didn’t know how she could get it all done.

“That’s why you have me. I’m here to remind you of everything that brings you joy.”

I loved Olivia, and I would be so destroyed if anything happened to her. But it wasn’t the right moment to think about such things. It was the start of September after all, and Lydia was going to arrive here soon.

“Aunt Lydia is visiting us today,” I announced to her and I took a chair to sit on.

I put my elbows on the island’s edge as I watched Olivia doing her magic in the kitchen.

“I know. Katya told me before she left in a hurry.”

“I wonder how she’d thought of visiting us.”

She shrugged and continued to prepare the food. I sat there without saying anything and I let myself fall into my thoughts.

Again.

My mind flew to Maksen and our little meeting from yesterday. I felt so good seeing him and convincing myself that he was okay after what happened that day. I felt more at peace than ever.

I didn’t know if it was because I’d found a bit of courage to tell him about my nightmares. It was something I had never talked about with anyone, and it felt good to get it out.

The sharp sound of the front door opening filled the house and I knew it was Lydia. The sound of her steps got even louder, and as soon as I turned around to glance at the hallway, her tiny figure made me smile.

I jumped off the chair and ran to her, taking her into my arms and inhaling the familiar scent I was used to ever since I was a little girl.

“Auntie!” I yelled and she giggled at my reaction.

She put her hands around me and hugged me tightly.

“I haven’t seen you in a while, Anna! You’re turning into a woman with each year that passes by,” she whispered close to my ear and pulled away from the hug.

“Thank you,” I replied with a wide smile showing on my face.

She gave me a broad smile and I couldn’t help myself but gaze at her beautiful face. Even though she was a little past forty years old, she was an alluring woman who could turn heads everywhere she went. Her long black hair was always resting on her back, while her lips were covered in a blood-like shade of lipstick.

However, behind the beauty she was always showing on the outside, her life wasn’t so beautiful at all.

My uncle left her when I was little and I didn’t remember him. I’ve actually never seen a picture of him because my father told me that he hated his brother so he wouldn’t like to see his face anywhere in our house. Yet, he didn’t stop Lydia from visiting us which made me think that he had empathy — even though he proved me wrong when he shot Maksen.

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