The Buses and Other Short Stories Read Online Free PDF Page B

bitterness within my soul was too strong. Then I felt her hands pulling me affectionately in her embrace and caressing my hair ever so softly. “Cry, my little one, cry as long as you need to.” And I continued my sobbing until my heart lightened somewhat. Then, she took my hand and we walked towards a white pot, set on the window’s ledge and planted with red and yellow tulips. “See these beautiful tulips, they’re blossoming like you. I water them occasionally so that their roots can draw the light which will keep them warm during the winter’s dark nights. Now tell me why are you crying, dearest?”
    â€œTell me, auntie, is everything a lie? The love we feel for each other, all the goodness and kindness, the truth… and, and the love between a boy and a girl… is everything one big lie…?”
    My aunt placed her hand on my mouth. “Hush, my child. Who told you this?”
    â€œMother called me in her room today, I don’t know why exactly, but at one point she straightened my hair, then, pulled my dress down which she found tight around my chest. Then, in a serious tone she mentioned something about me having become a young lady now. And… and I had to be extra careful. ‘People are very bad,’ she said, ‘and men in particular are liars. Don’t trust anyone, my daughter. Love, intimacy and all that don’t exist; they’re all vile. Don’t believe in anyone and anything.’ She went on and on, but I don’t remember the rest. I couldn’t bear to hear any more and left the room.”
    I stopped talking and looked at my aunt anxiously, as I waited for her response. But she did not answer. She simply grabbed my sweatshirt which I had tucked under my arm and said, “Put this on, child and come with me.”
    â€œWhere are we going?”
    â€œYou’ll find out soon enough.”
    Silently, we descended the oak staircase and exited our old stone house, located a mere two blocks from High Park. When we crossed the light at the curb, I realized we were headed towards it. It was a lovely warm day, the kind of day that puts a spring in your step. The bright sun made the greenness of our surroundings more intense and my aunt quickened her step forcing me to keep pace with her. Once inside the park, she rushed towards some wild flowers in mauve, rose and yellow colours, kneeled and practically hugged them. Then, as she turned left and right looking for other natural treasures, she hummed a song and dashed towards a bed of rose bushes that were full of buds.
    â€œLook, look around you and see what mother earth produces. Look closely, my dear niece and notice what springs up from the soil. Examine all these flowers before you. They’re all different, just like all the people!”
    She accelerated her pace, almost ran towards the elegant cherry trees. “Notice their beautiful fluffy pink and white flowers, my dear. Aren’t they gorgeous? Their flowers will last anywhere from four to ten days, depending on weather conditions. But please notice as well that straggling, climbing woody vine nearby.” And she pointed to the plants in the thickets with the reddish pointed leaflets. “It’s the poison ivy. Its leaves will turn green in the summer and become various shades of yellow, orange or red in the fall. It has the ability to give you an itchy rash if you touch it. So, train your eye carefully and learn to distinguish the beauty among the thorns. There are flowers everywhere, my sweet girl, in every season of the year, but you have to learn to find them.”
    My aunt pointed out the popular maple trees and the majestic black oaks with her usual boundless enthusiasm. “Just imagine my dear, how fortunate we are to have this opportunity to explore nature right in the city.” Periodically she stopped and asked me to look up and admire the rising sun, and take in as much of its energy as possible,