Willy's dreams were full of images of his aunt and uncle at their home. His aunt gently teaching him how to ride and direct a horse. His aunt competing in a show. His aunt leading the victory gallop around the show ring, a blue ribbon fluttering from her horse's bridle. Then the scene changed.
Willy was eighteen years old. He was preparing to leave his aunt's home to follow his childhood dream of becoming a chocolatier. He had just finished packing and they were about to start loading his things into his aunt and uncle's car. He felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned around and there was his aunt. "Willy," she said softly. "Your uncle and I are going to miss you. So much."
"I'm going to miss you and Uncle James a lot, too," Willy said, smiling at her. "Take good care of Candy, won't you?" Candy was the horse he'd learned to ride on and his favorite mount.
"Of course we will," Aunt Lauren said. "I'll ride him every day. And we'll write and tell you how he's doing. And send pictures."
"And give him a mint every evening?" Willy asked.
"Of course," Aunt Lauren said. Then she took his head in her hands and looked into his eyes. "Willy," she said again. "Please remember, no matter where you are or what you're doing, your uncle and I are very proud of you and wish the best for you." Then she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him. He had become for her the child she had never had. And now he was leaving home. Then, just before she pulled away she whispered in his ear, "I wish you had been my little boy."
Willy smiled. Nobody had ever said words like that to him. He could see his uncle waving to him to come down. The car was loaded and ready to go. He swallowed. "I wish you and Uncle had been my p-p-p-…"
"Parents?" Aunt Lauren asked.
"Yeah," Willy said. Uncle James honked the car horn. He was getting impatient. "Bye, Auntie," he said, pulling away from her. She suddenly caught his arm, pulled him close again, and kissed him on the cheek. Then she let him go and he dashed out the door, wiping away the kiss, and set off into his new life.
Willy's eyes snapped open. He had almost forgotten his aunt. How he'd loved her. And his uncle. He wondered what they looked like now. He wondered about Candy. And Stormcloud. He hadn't received a letter from his aunt for several years now. Ever since he'd built the factory. He had never given her the new address. He slapped himself in the head. Dummy. No wonder he hadn't heard from her.