Flinn Devann

Days pass since that day. A lot of changes happened.But there's a lot of things that stayed the same. Our store is filled with customers everyday.I sometimes feel different when Sir Flinn would call me his granddaughter, it's heartwarming.The first time he hug me as a granddaughter, he cried. I let go the last because I want to feel his soul. Guess being a veteran at hiding emotions runs in our blood.

  I don't want to ruin my relationship with Sir Flinn, he's part of my home and I don't want to mess anything with him. He didn't do anything to make me burst in madness, he's the man who help me and he's has a space in my heart.

I wish I knew him when I was a child. He's not a typical grandpa who's back is aching. He's tough physically and mentally.But everything happens for a reason- I may not know him sooner as my grandfather, atleast I know him as Sir Flinn. The man who has a pure heart and a soul that is one of a kind.

Even though we are blood related, I still call him Sir Flinn and he told me it's okay. I am still adjusting on calling him ' grandpa' . It feels awkward calling your boss 'grandpa'. I now know his name. Flinn Devann. It's just a coincidence too that I haven't told him about my last name. 

He's my Mom's father. I never heard about him from Mom. She never told me about how great Sir Flinn is. Grandma- name is Melissa, who is Sir Flinn's wife, died because of stroke when Mom was only 18. I wonder how she look like but I am sure she's majestic.

Mom left that day, she gave me a warm hug. She told me Dad is doing great and busy with his business. And my bike is still in the garage waiting to be useless. Seeing her departing was a relief-knowing Dad and her are doing fine, but there's also a part of me that is crying, I might not see them again.

After that time, I talked to Sir Flinn for the first time as my grandpa. He said Mom would always talk about me everytime they had a chance to exchange thoughts. I asked him why I never saw him visit our house, then he respond, “ I'm scared your Mom wouldn't allow me to be with you, since she said your illed.” It made me confuse. “ And I'm also in fear that I can't be the grandpa you deserve. But I did saw you when you were still one.” He stated leaving me in surprise. 

“You are watching an animated movie that time, then I sat next to you, then you'll ask me if I know Totowo.” he continued while smile is flashed in his face. And that made me laugh.

He took his wallet from his pocket and opened it. He took the picture which is now old caused by the passing of time. “ This is our only picture, that's why I treasured it.” I gulped and scanned the picture. It's the young me and Sir Flinn beside me, we're sitting in the sofa while there's a lollipop in my mouth.

“What a small world.” I said to myself.

We don't really have any idea about what's ahead on us. We don't know where will fate bring us. It's a small world after all. We can't force anything to happen according to what we want.Whatever flows, flows.We can't always be happy. We need to feel pain so that we can know the value of every second. As long as you are breathing, there's still hope that one day, you can finally say that you made it.

This is our third week of opening and we are filled with customers. I found it really strange how we are in success when we just opened the store. I was expecting that we will have no customers for our first week-but here we are, NO VACANT TABLE.

While serving orders, I would catch Tim looking at me,then he'll wink. Miss Mia would see it and then she will tease me and say, “I think Timothy Williams has a big fat crush on you.” I would just respond, “ Nah, he's really like that, and we're just friends.”

For now.

We are already cleaning since we already close the store. It was a busy day. Sir Flinn said the income today has a huger amount than yesterday's. After hearing it, the three of us were in sync saying the word 'wow'. 

“We need new books.” Tim said while unbuttoning his name tag from his apron. Miss Mia nod and agreed. “ I think about it, too. And also the music track...”. I laughed a little, I already memorized the songs as they kept on playing over and over again for three weeks already.

I took my bag from the kitchen and look for my camera. After I found it, I immediately run going back to them. “ Let's take some pictures.” I said and turned on my camera. Miss Mia immediately run going to the mirror. She then frowned the moment she saw her reflection. Timothy then spoke. “Miss Mia you are sophisticated, no need to look yourself in the mirror.” she smiled after hearing it.

We squeezed together so the four of us could be seen. I hold the camera and positioned it. I stood next to Sir Flinn and then Miss Mia on the other side of me. I glanced at our faces on the screen and there's one missing. “Tim, where are you?” Sir Flinn is already smiling and Miss Mia is touching her hair. “Just...wait”,he spoke from behind and then I saw his face in the screen. He use a chair and stood at it. He smiled widely and formed his fingers into a peace sign. 

“1,2,3, smile!!” I said and pressed the button. A flash appeared and then Sir Flinn said “one more!”until the 'one more' lasts for minutes.

After taking series of pictures, we scanned our faces and then Tim argued with Sir Flinn saying "he outcharmed the boss". Sir Flinn would say, " you look like an idiot". Then I laugh making Tim frown. We love to tease him. 

That time, while looking at them joking and hearing their happy voices, I told myself I am already with the best people. The bravest, the ones who understand me, and the ones that made me feel home. I am home. We might not be close to perfect, I know these are the people I've been looking for. 

We are almost on our way going out of the stall when Kira suddenly entered. All of us turned to her direction. She's wearing a big smile on her face making me feel excited. “Mama!I made it!” she stomped her feet in excitement then showed her certificate. Miss Mia run to her ang hugged her. My eyes were blessed. We clapped for her victory and congratulated her in a singsong manner.

I congratulated her by hugging and told her she deserved it. She passed the entrance examination for her dream University. She's really an intelligent kid with a wonderful heart. Miss Mia cried the happy tears telling she's the proudest. I am proud of her, too.

“We need to celebrate! The success of our stall and Kira's victory!” Sir Flinn screamed all of a sudden. Then silence. Then exchange of stares. Then Tim spoke. “Yes! Tomorrow is our rest day,how about going on a camp?” 

My eyes widened at his thought and then my serotonin boost. Just imagining it, it's a must to experience in a lifetime, but tomorrow is too early. “Tomorrow?We still need to prepare a lot of stuffs.” I uttered and then Miss Mia agreed. 

These people really love to say 'tomorrow' on events that needs a whole lot of preparation. We need to pack our clothes, prepare our foods, the transportation, and we don't even discuss yet where we are going to held our camping.

Sir Flinn rub his chin and then nod. “ You're right, Kath.” he said,making me feel relieved.

“So..when?“ I asked, looking at Sir Flinn.

“Tomorrow evening.”