Page 43 of Escape from Amazdom

"Right, well, it all sounds very confusing. Can you actually make money doing it?"

"That's the idea. As soon as someone buys one of my kits, the money goes straight to my account."

"Well, let's hope it works, then you won't have to go in for the eight o'clock shift anymore."

"That's my plan, Auntie. That's my plan."

I catch her glancing at the photos on the mantelpiece above the fireplace and a pang of nostalgia burns in my heart. I know exactly what she's thinking as she stares at the photo of Mom and Dad standing beside me. Mom looks vibrant and happy with her shiny blond hair and caring blue eyes. Dad appears so proud of his daughter as I beam at the camera. I was only ten and had just won first prize in a school art competition. That was our last picture together, before the accident took them from us.

Auntie Mary wipes the corner of her eye.

"This mash would probably have been better with pellets," she says, tutting as she raises her eyebrows in a disapproving fashion.

"Maybe we can sprinkle some over the ice cream," I say, swallowing the emotion trying to choke up my throat.

"Sounds good, pellet flavored vanilla ice cream."

We sit in silence as we finish our meal. Distant memories have been stirred. My heart aches knowing that I never had parents when I grew up. Times were tough, very tough, especially as I had to live with a foster family for a year while Auntie Mary recovered in a psychiatric hospital after the accident. You see, Auntie Mary was also in the car when it got taken out by a truck. Somehow she survived, but whatever she experienced that day scarred her for life.

As soon as she got the all clear from the hospital, we went through the process and she adopted me. Deep down I got the impression she felt guilty for what happened, but she's never told me all the details. She gets too cut up and anxious when she's reminded of the life changing event.

"I'm so proud of you, you know," she says, looking deep in my eyes.

"Oh thanks, Auntie. I couldn't have done it without you."

"Nonsense, you've done it all yourself. Following your dream like that takes courage, persistence and huge pair of balls."

"I guess so," I say, laughing.

"They'll be proud too," she says, quietly. I go respond and remind Auntie Mary that we're not supposed to speak about my parents as if they're still alive, but she just won't have it.

"Sure."

"I'll get desert," she says, pushing her chair back.

I get up and help her take the dishes into the kitchen. Once she's grabbed a tub of vanilla ice cream from the freezer and a couple of bowls, we go back in the dining room.

"Do you guys want some desert too?" she says, bending down to scoop out several portions into the tortoises' bowls. "They love vanilla. I'm sure it reminds them of the sea or something," she adds as they flock round her feet.

"Who doesn't like vanilla?"

"Very true," she says, taking her seat. "So, have you got any dates lined up this weekend?"

"Me? Nah," I say, trying to remember the last time I hooked up with a guy. I've been so focused on my project that I just haven't had time for any kind of romance.

"Oh, that's a shame."

"Not really, Auntie. I'm young, free and single. Besides, I'll be working on the final touches of my project."

"That's good, you keep away from of those horrible boy things."

"Horrible boy things?"

"Yeah, nasty the lot of them."

"Why do you say that?"

"All they want is to get you worked up, get in your panties, and get lucky. Then they'll leave you stranded while they look for the next one."