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I digest this information, although I have no recollection of Aunt Bea.
“I've told Bea about your mother. Bless her, she forgets every time, so it’s like breaking her heart all over again. I couldn’t do it anymore. It's still quite fresh for me too so I'll give it some time and just play along for now.”
“Oh, I see.” I can only imagine what that would be like, a vicious cycle of pain. "I'm sorry I didn't say anything about Mom earlier. Did you receive her letter? She made me promise because she wanted to spare everyone the heartache."
"I completely understand. It was a rude shock but it's just something Maria would do." Uncle Ben smiles ruefully. "She explained it all in the letter. It's sad, but I get her."
Mom had written letters to her family and friends, instructing Drew to post them out only after the funeral.
We stop at Uncle Ben’s home in Staten Island before making the two-hour journey to my apartment in Beacon, Hudson Valley.
As we drive through the picket fence into the graveled front yard of Uncle Ben's home, I take in the cozy house and small manicured lawn sporting flowers in bloom. It's a welcoming sight, giving the sense of a well-lived life.
My home used to look like this, I smile sadly. Full of love and laughter, but over the past couple of years it's become more of an empty shell, echoing with memories of what had been. It was one of the reasons I needed to leave.
Aunt Bea steps onto the porch, beaming.
“Hi Aunt Bea, it’s so lovely to finally meet you,”I say.
“Bree darling! My word, how pretty you’ve grown.” She’s slim and well groomed, her wavy, gray hair styled in a chin-length bob. I return her warm embrace.
“You poor thing! So sad about what happened with Bobby isn’t it? How’s Maria holding up then?”
I look at Uncle Ben behind her and he discreetly shakes his head at me. “Maria’s doing reasonably well Bea, you know it's been a few years since we lost Bobby."
"Oh that's right, isn't it? The years have flown by really fast!"
"Let's get Sabrina all settled in shall we?,” Uncle Ben puts a loving arm around his wife's shoulders
“Oh yes, I've just made some delicious chocolate chip cookies too. I do hope you’re hungry..
“Famished.” I smile.
The house smells of scented candles and homemade biscuits.
Uncle Ben and I sit and catch up while Aunt Bea gets the cookies out of the oven, then starts putting together food and essentials to take with me, despite her husband telling her we'll stop by the grocery store.
"I'm sorry, you gotta let her give you everything she thinks you'll need to survive. She'll pack the neighbor's dog if you let her. You can't imagine what it's like when we travel."
I laugh, "It's alright, it saves me cooking anyway."
"Will you need help getting set up in your apartment?”
The Century Gallery had put me in touch with Dalia, my assistant, who was tasked to help me settle in since I'm moving in from out of town. She'd been so eager to help out, even going as far as viewing apartments on my behalf.
She finally managed to find one that was not far from the gallery. Although I’m yet to meet her, I feel like I know her already.
“I’ve only seen pictures of the place but Dalia, my assistant, has been super awesome, even let the movers in, so yeah I think I’m all set really. Which is great because I start on Monday.”
“Straight in the deep end then, is it?”
“You bet. We’ve got an exhibition coming up in a month’s time. You and Aunt Bea should come.”
“Count us in then.”
Chapter 2
Sabrina
