Chapter Eight

AUNT ECCENTRIC

“That son of a-” My mom threw her hand over Aunt Mitsy’s mouth just in time to muffle the curse word that was escaping. 

“Mitsy, there are kids here!” Little Ethan watched them with deep interest from his father’s lap, soaking in all the information he could. Macy’s son was just learning to talk and kids are notorious for picking up swear words the fastest. 

“I’m sorry, I’m just so furious, I could kill him!” Aunt Mitsy fumed, throwing her tiny fists down on the picnic table. 

“Aunt Mits, it’s really okay. I- nothing can change what happened, to be honest, even if I could turn back the clock, I don’t think I want to.” The ladies at the table grew quiet hearing her words. 

It was true, that week had put a lot into perspective for her, her team was already successfully transitioning into handling all the projects themselves which gave her hope that they would be fine without her and she was already looking forward to going to Singapore without the weight of leaving someone behind on her shoulders. 

Sierra glanced at the bigger kids playing on the swings nearby before she stood up and called for everyone’s attention. “The real reason I asked you all here today, is because I have an announcement to make.” Sucking in a deep breath, she continued, “I was offered a position as a head researcher on a project taking place in Singapore for six months and I’ve accepted the job, I leave in six weeks.” Her mother gasped while everyone just stared at her in shock. 

“Wow, Sierra, I don’t know what to say.” Lou trailed off with her eyes still wide. 

“Honey, are you sure about this?” Her father asked with a tinge of worry in his eyes.

“Sierra, you don’t have to leave.” Macy pointed out, looking just as concerned as everyone else and she smiled. 

“When I first got the offer I had mixed emotions, on one hand, I really wanted to go, that part wasn’t something I even had to think twice about, but in my head, my relationship with Brent seemed to be progressing and I didn’t want to leave him behind even if it was just for six months.” She could see the uncertainty cross their features. 

“You know what I think? I think you should go for it.” Evan smiled and raised his glass, “To Sierra, have an adventure, Beautiful.” A huge smile spread across her face at his words and broadened when the rest of the group echoed his words. 

“Thank you, Evan.” Lou leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. 

“What is the project about, if you’re allowed to share that with us?” Susie questioned, massaging her belly as she leaned against her husband’s chest. 

“A possible advanced treatment or cure for Diabetes.” that seemed to grab their attention. 

“Wow, and you’re going to be the head researcher?” Sierra nodded in excitement. 

“Overseeing the whole thing.” 

“Is the company paying for you to move there?” Sierra smirked at Macy’s question. 

“All expenses paid, they’re renting me an apartment, paying for travel and living expenses, and giving me a sizable cheque.” Sierra gloated, but her real concern wasn’t the perks, but the fulfillment she knew she would get from this project, she could feel it in her bones. 

“This is your dream job, isn’t it? I remember when I asked why you chose science, you responded that you would one day find the cure for the world’s worst diseases like cancer and diabetes.” Lou recalled which made Sierra blush, she had no idea that her friend remembered that conversation, but her feelings since then hadn’t changed.

“This might sound a little cruel and I’m sorry in advance, but I’m glad he broke up with you because if you chose to stay because of him, I would have killed you myself.” Aunt Mitsy commented. The one thing Sierra loved the most about the woman was her lack of tact when she spoke. Everything came out just as she thought it, because the filter between her brain and tongue, didn’t exist. 

“You’re a piece of work, Aunt Mitsy.” Sierra laughed. 

“Well, why do you think I’m not married, there isn’t a man on this earth that could handle me.” She sassed, flipping her shoulder-length hair backward. 

“I don’t how you do it, Aunt Mitsy.” The older woman shrugged, completely unbothered. 

“Why have one man when you can have them all?” Elena choked on her water, sending droplets flying across the table and onto Sierra’s unsuspecting father. 

“That’s it, no more wine for you.” Sierra’s dad plucked the bottle of wine that sat in front of his younger sister and proceeded to dab his shirt of any excess water.

“Oh my God, Mr. Brightly, I’m so sorry!” Elena reached out to him in horror. 

“It’s quite okay, Elena, my sister needs to learn to control that mouth of hers.” He glared at Mitsy who smirked in return and took an exaggerated sip of her wine. 

*** 

By 4 pm everyone had left, the kids were exhausted from running around all day, Susie was in need of a nap and Evan had had a work emergency to attend to which resulted in Sierra being left alone with her family. 

“It was a lovely day, wasn’t it?” Her mother commented as she packed up the leftover snacks. 

“Yeah, it was much needed and the kids had a lot of fun.” Sierra didn’t want to mention how being around them somewhat made her miss Brent. 

Despite knowing that their relationship was over and for a good reason, she still missed him, she missed having someone top up her wine and share little inside jokes with her.

“It’s okay to miss him, Sierra,” Mitsy commented, taking a seat in front of her, the table was clean and her parents had taken the first few things to her car. 

“I feel like I shouldn’t.” She frowned, she couldn’t explain why, but she did. 

“Despite how I might act, I was once in love too and when he left me I also felt like I had no right to miss him, but it was only when I gave myself the chance to, that I was able to move on.” Mitsy squeezed her hand. 

“We’ve been together for five years, I’m not sure I know how to properly be without him.” Mitsy smiled comfortingly. 

“You’ll learn.” She nodded with a secretive smile on her face before she stood up and walked towards her car. 

Sierra saw the sun setting in the distance and recalled a poem she’d once read, “The sun sets on days past leaving only memories of its existence, but since time began, till time shall end, the sun will rise and set again. Bittersweet, oh bittersweet is a new day’s dusk.” 

She wouldn’t despair over the past, instead, she would look forward to the new day with a smile, knowing that all good things come to an end to give way to better things.