Lulabelle

Saturday. A fairly fine day. "Pa, I'll be going now!" Shouted Gabrielle as she opened the door. "What? Going where? It's saturday!" inquired her father. "It's Ma's birthday today, I thought we agreed on visiting her together?" "Uhm... to Shaunie's house Pa to... to make a... a school project!" Gabrielle knew that she should not supposed to lie to her father yet she couldn't bring herself to tell him that she's got a job at a cafe in the local food park. She'd get scolded if she did so. Her mother, Margie, died in an accident almost a year ago and since then she had been getting jobs on weekends unbeknownst to her father, secretly helping to provide necessities to their home. Her father, Jerod, a freelance photographer whose work had gone a little downhill lately stood steadily strong for her. Gabrielle stood about five feet tall, had a pair of almond-eyes and her hair black as a raven fell perfectly straight behind her. She was just 12, yet she was eager and determined. Surging with responsibility in her, she believed that it was her duty to help her father provide for their home with the loss of her mother. "Okay! But be back home early Gabby! Pa's going to cook something yummy for dinner and your uncle Cliff's gonna come by later" shouted her father. "Okay Pa!" She then stepped outside, closed the door behind her, grabbed her bicycle and rode away into the streets. She held the handlebars firmly, freewheeling the pedals beneath her feet, feeling the wind on her face, humming her mother's favorite song... "Blag!" Gabrielle fell down from her bicycle the second time. "Oh God Gab, not again!" exclaimed her mother running towards her. "Oh honey you scraped your knee!". "It... it h-h-hurts Ma!" "Oh my baby. Come now, its gonna be alright, Ma's here" assured her mother. That was seven years ago. She was just five back then. She remembered how she cried a lot then. Her father was teaching her how to ride her first bicycle that time. She could still see her mother's face happily watching them as she rode the bicycle with her father alongside her. The wound on her knee had healed. Only a scar remained but in her heart she was still bleeding. That wound was nothing compared to the sorrow that had been left by her mother. She still missed her so much everyday. Longed so much for her warm embraces, her reassuring eyes that countered her fears as a kid and her calm voice that soothed her when she's feeling down. She still cries but hid her tears from her father. "Screeeech!" Squealed the wheels on her bicycle as she squeezed the brakes so hard just a fragment of a second away from being hit by a car. "Goodness kid! I almost crashed! Look where you're going! You'll cause an accident here!" Exclaimed the driver. "S-sorry..." was all she could say after the momentary reverie she had about her mother that if not because of the mishap she almost got herself into would have continued throughout the day. It took her about a minute to realize what happened. She then put herself together and shrugged the disconsolation that was hovering about her a little earlier, then sped away. Arrived at her destination at last. It was a small-sized kept-up cafe just by the entrance of the food park. She immediately got off from her bicycle, parked it near the cafe's back door as usual before proceeding inside and to the waffle-scented kitchen. "Oh finally the kid's here!" said a man wearing a toque blanche. "Where've ye been kid? If ye're not absent ye're late." "Sorry chef Rey. I almost got hit by a car on my way here." replied Gabrielle "Christ kid! Ye really have a knack of getting yerself into accidents, don't ye?! Last time, ye fell down yer stairs, then yer hair got burned while ye were cooking, now ye almost got hit by a car?! Ye okay? Ye hurt? Ye should take the day off if ye want to. I'll tell the boss I'd cover for ye." Chef Rey was a stout man with graying hair and had a tough-guy facade but had a strong grandpa atmosphere around him. In fact he always mentioned how he sees her granddaughter in Gabrielle and how they were so much alike. "No! No! I'm okay chef. I'm not hurt, really. Besides, I must cover for my absence last week so I should really be present right now." assured she as she tied an apron around her waist. "Ye sure kid? But be careful next time ye ride that bike o'yers eh! Think 'bout yer dad. I think he'd shatter if he lost ye too." Hearing comforting words from someone she trusted was all that she needed. She had always been pretty close with adults than with her generation. Kids her age often take selfies and pictures of their outfits then post them on social media platforms or play video games on weekends, but not her. Instead of a selfie stick she'd get a mop or a spatula, sometimes a food tray in her hand and a white apron for an outfit. "Yeah, I'm sure chef. Don't worry about me, worry about that omelet you're supposedly frying. Ha ha ha!" "Oh god! Ye're right, the omelet!" exclaimed the chef. "Oh almost forgot, ye'll be Hina's assistant today. Ye'll be a server this time kid so ye can forget about me covering ye because ye wont be working on my turf now." "Ha ha ha! Got it chef!" "Well, go now kid. Hina badly needs assistance right now." She then proceeded inside the cafe. A small crowd of customers buzzed around, minding each of their own businesses. Back and forth a woman strode, serving the patrons, taking and carrying their orders. She was a petite female in her twenties. She had a little tint of red-brownish hue on her hair, an attractively narrow waistline and a bubbly darling eyes on her. "Oh God, Gabrielle! Am I glad to see you! There are unusually many customers right now because of that newly opened bookstore at the other side of the street outside the park. Anyway, can you take this tray to that table over there?" said she, gesturing to the third table alined at the right side of the door, by the glass pane. "Oh sure miss Johina. Let me take that." "Thank you Gab. You're a lifesaver honey. But please drop that name already. I've told you, just call me Hina" Assisting the staffs in the cafe was the actual description of Gabrielle's job. She was not yet eligible to have a full-time job at her age. Sometimes the chef's assistant, the server's and other times the janitor's. On weekends they're always short on manpower being most of the staffs take their day off. Helping miss Hina in serving the customers wasn't really that hard for her. Pacing, taking and carrying orders here and there. Earning a few bucks while diverting attention from grief was undeniably a win-win for her. Hours rapidly passed. It was already three pm. Only a few customers remained scattered inside the cafe: a group of chit-chatting ladies, a dating couple, a woman with her two kids, some buffed guys near the counter and a seemingly peculiar old man with an out-dated top hat. "Kling! Klang!" rang the small bell attached to the cafe's entrance. Another customer came in. A not-so-tall lean guy that looked like he was in his mid-twenties wearing glasses, some casual shirt and a semi-tattered jeans, a raven-black hair just like Gabrielle's but a bit wavy and his eyes were just a bit bigger than hers. Gabrielle was serving drinks to the dating couple sitting by the glass pane when the guy went in. "Gabby? Is that you?" said the guy. Gabrielle turned to where the guy was standing, "Oh... uncle Cliff! Wha-what are you doing here?" she answered nervously. "Ahm... just want to... order. Th-this is a cafe, right?" Her uncle Cliff was her mother's younger brother which, not by his appearance, but his presence reminded her of her mother. He was pretty close to her as though he was her bestfriend. He used to play baseball with her when she was a kid and even taught her how to properly swing a bat. "Oh yeah... right, a cafe" "What's the matter with you Gab? Are you wearing an apron? Wait—are you working here?" "Please don't tell Pa! Please uncle Cliff! I just want to help him!" Gabrielle begged almost in tears. "Okay! Okay kid, don't worry I wont tell your father if you dont want me to. I promise." said her uncle as he patted her head. She then wiped her slightly teary eyes with the back of her hand. "Hey Gabby do you still write those stories of yours? The ones you used to send me before? I really loved those, you know." inquired her uncle suddenly. "Ah... no I've never really written a*********s since... you know. Besides, its just a waste of time. I'm not really good and no one really reads them but you and... Ma." "What are you talking about Gab! They're good and I'm not saying this as an uncle but a fan!" exclaimed his uncle. "You're a talented kid! You can even play the violin very good!—Oh god, please tell me you still even play!" "No... I sold the stradivarius Ma gave me." replied Gabrielle matter-of-factly. "What?! My goodness kid—" "Uncle, please some other time and place. Not here. I have work." interjected Gabrielle. Her uncle, feeling defeated, shook his head and let out a huge sigh of disbelief and disappointment. Then a momentary pause came between the two of them. "So what would you want to order uncle Cliff?" asked Gabrielle trying to redirict her uncle's attention away from the argument. It suddenly reddened her uncle's slightly pale face as he glanced over his left shoulder through the counter. "Ahm... c-could you... uhm tell... Jo... in... a—" stuttered her uncle. "What?!" exclaimed Gabrielle. She was massively annoyed by her uncle's sudden change of behavior. "Huh? Uh... I-its your Ma's birthday and... I... I heard ahmm... steaks—yeah steaks! I heard steaks here are delicious... so ahmm I would like some. You know that steak's my favorite right?" "Steak? You just want a steak?" asked Gabrielle mockingly. A thought suddenly invaded her mind. Yes she remembered, steak was indeed her uncle's favorite. "...but why would he go to a small cafe just to order a steak? People usually come here and order sandwiches, cakes, coffee or juice but steaks are rarely on demand. They arent really popular and sometimes chef Rey won't even consider putting it on the menu because it's not really a conventional choice in the cafe. Besides, this is a food park, there are lunch corners and restaurants outside this cafe that sell steaks particularly, better that is and best-selling. He's just desperately finding an excuse." she thought, caressing her forehead with the tip of her fingers. Though young, she knew and it wouldn't take a detective to deduce that her uncle had a thing for the lady behind the counter, busily preparing orders. "Miss Hina?! Do we have steak?! My uncle wants some!" shouted Gabrielle that made her uncle freeze and grew drastically redder. "Your uncle? Okay, just a minute, I'll check if it's available..." she replied in a panicky but sweet tone as usual as she turned around to their direction. "Wait—Cliff? Is that you?!... It is really you!" "Ahm... oh it's you. Wow. I... I-I didn't see you there. He–Hello. You... still remember me?" "Of course I remember you, we were pretty tight back then. Wow! I haven't seen you since highschool. How have you been? And why is Gab calling you uncle?" "Ah... ha ha ha! Well, I'm doing great. I... work as a graphic artist in... in a small company outside of town." answered Gabrielle's uncle nervously. "This ugly bunny right here is my sister's daughter" teasingly grabbing each of Gabrielle's cheeks, pinching them. "Ow! Uncle, don't call me that! I'm not a kid anymore!" pushing away her uncle's hands. Annoyed but deep inside, Gabrielle felt nostalgically joyed with his presence. "Ha ha ha! You two must be really close, aren't you?!" said Hina. "Wait here. I'll just get your steak." "Ah! Oh that... the steak... ahm I... realized I'm... not really... hungry." "Oh?... really?" said a baffled Hina. "Yeah. So-sorry" "Okay... so would you mind if I go back to work then?" asked miss Hina, seemingly annoyed. "Oh... ah... n–not at all, Johina." "Ask her out already." whispered Gabrielle just enough to be heard by her uncle. "Ahm Johina..." said her uncle Cliff. "Ahm... its my sister's birthday... w-we... wanted to celebrate it... me, Gabby and her dad, just the three of us. So... I... was hoping... you wanna come." "I'd be happy too if you can come miss Hina." added Gabrielle. "Wow. Well... ahm... sure, I'll make time for that. Thank you for asking me." replied Hina. "Its settled then. I-I'll come pick you up later." said Cliff. He quickly went out of the cafe with an obviously beaming face. An hour later. All the customers have gone except for the old man with a top hat at the corner who Gabrielle realized hasn't ordered anything but water. "Sir, would you like some sandwich?" Gabrielle asked the man. He just stared, clasping his hands together on the table. "Have you yet realized that you are being tethered to the ground kid?" said the man in a monotonic manner. Gabrielle was bewildered. She didn't even know what to think. "Does this man know me? What does he mean tethered to the ground? I'm not being tethered" she thought. "Sir, would you rather have some soda or juice? Don't worry its free of charge" inquired Gabrielle as she took the empty glass from the man's table not minding the his words. "Clearly you still haven't." said the man. "The flow of life doesnt stop for anyone being bound by past. You should never have let its weight burden you. Now fate shall inculcate the nescient that you are." He added as he unclasped his hands. A key appeared on his right palm. He held it high enough to Gabrielle's eye level. "Take it, Gabrielle... the key to your fate." "Ahm... mister, I don't really get what you're on about and how did you know my name? Were you listening to our conversation earlier?" asked Gabrielle "Take the key and sooner or later you'll see mine words materialize before you." said the man eerily. Gabrielle took the key from the man's hold to avoid argument and save time. It was a curiously numinous golden key bigger than a usual one, carved with swirls on its handle's edges and embroidered with some unknown reddish gems at the center. Quickly she pocketed it, turning her back from the old man to avoid what she thought nonsense conversation with him. It was already 4:30 pm, but thirty minutes still too early to close the cafe. But 4 pm was supposedly the end of Gabrielle's shift and it was her mother's birthday. "Miss Hina, I think I'd better be off now." said she as she took off her apron walking towards the back door. "Oh... why wouldn't you just wait for your uncle here? He'll come pick us up right?" asked miss Hina. "Just come along with us." "Ahm... I might say no to that miss Hina. I still have to visit my mom... Its her birthday after all" explained Gabrielle. "Besides, I think you and my uncle still have a lot of discussions and catching up to do... I just might... get in your way." "And what might your uncle discuss with me then?" asked miss Hina. "Well, I don't want to spoil it but... I think he likes you..." whispered Gabrielle teasingly which left the bubbly eyed lady momentarily frozen and flushed. "I'm off now miss Hina! Bye! Go easy on my uncle ha ha ha!... bye chef Rey!" shouted Gabrielle as she took off with her bicycle. "Oy kid, drive slowly!" reminded the chef but Gabrielle was already far away to hear it. Gabrielle stopped to a flower shop along the road and bought some flowers for her mother and later arrived at the cemetery. It wasn't really that far from the food park. This was the first time Gabrielle visited her mother. She just stood there, after putting the flowers on a glass vase. Just looking at her mother's name carved on a stone, remembering, reminiscing the blissful times she had with her. It was clearly a desolate moment for her. A year ago her mother was still with them... a she could still hear her voice... a year ago she could still embrace her... a year ago she still makes breakfast for her. "No, I wont cry..." said Gabrielle to herself trying to block the somber in her eyes. "Happy birthday Ma. I'm going home now" as she turned her back. She then hopped on her bike and rode home. It was already 6 pm when she got home. Time for dinner. She opened the door quietly. As she had expected, her uncle was already there, along with miss Hina. But instead of seeing glee, what she observed befuddled her. The atmosphere was so serious. Her uncle, sitting on the couch, leaning and looking downcasted, miss Hina sitting not far away from him and her father on the other side of the table burrying his face between his hands. Undoubtedly a serious talk arose between the three before she arrived. The food on the table looked as though it wasnt even touched. "What's going on here?" asked a perplexed Gabrielle trying to comprehend the atmosphere. "Gabby..." said her father. "Have I... Have I not given you anything that you needed?" "Wha... I-I dont understand Pa." "I... tried to work hard for you... to provide for you. I... tried my best to be the best father that I could be after your Ma died" cried her father. "You told him didn't you?!" said Gabrielle tearfully glaring at her uncle. She finally understood what was going. "I-I'm sorry Gab" said her uncle. "But you promised you wont!" said Gabrielle. "I dont know what you're all so disappointed about! I wasnt doing anything wrong! I just wanted to help and I... I...". There was that something that she could not afford to tell them. Something that she had hidden all along. The agony, the grief and the sorrow left by her mother after she passed away was still there, never have left from her. "Don't blame your uncle. I went to Shaunie's house but you werent there so I just asked your uncle if he happen to know" interjected her father. "Honey, its not actually about you working in that cafe that got me disappointed..." he added. "after your Ma died, you've become different. You've stopped doing what you used to love doing. It pains me as your father. It should not be your responsibility Gab, its mine. I just want you—" "No! No! I... I tried my best to remove all these feelings inside me! All those things that you said I used to love, Ma also loved them thats why... thats why I'm trying my best to forget them because it... it hurts still..." cried Gabrielle. "and all... all those things reminded me of her... its... just so unfair how easily you all have moved on so fast and I... I hate you for that!" she said as she bolted from where she was standing and dashed to her room. "Ugly bunny..." said her uncle as he tried to chase her, intending to cheer her up. "I said dont call me that! I'm not a kid anymore!" said Gabrielle angrily wiping her tears and closed the door behind her. She just sat on the floor. Her face burried between her knees. Her back against the door, crying, letting out everything she had endured for almost a year. All the hurt and sorrow fell from her eyes. A moment later she noticed a flash of light that shone in just a fragment of a second. Though crestfallen, curiously she opened her eyes. She was in a different room. A room she'd never been before, a really gigantic white space of a room. "Pa?! Uncle Cliff?! Miss Hina?! Where are you?! Where am I?!" shouted a confused Gabrielle, but her voice just bounced back in the nothingness of the room. Nothing was there. No ornaments. No pictures. Nothing... but a conspicuous golden door with a frame carved with swirls, embroidered with red gems which reminded her of something—the key!