"Oscar, is everything all right?"
The question from his aunt startles him out of his thoughts, and he lifts his gaze from his plate to look at her, smiling slightly. "Of course," he replies, slightly puzzled why she's asking.
"It's just, you've been awfully quiet lately," she continues, although she seems reassured by his response. "I wanted to make sure that there wasn't anything bothering you."
Technically, there is something bothering Oscar, but it's not like he can tell his aunt about it. Oh yeah, y'know I've just been dealing with this weird voice in my head who insists he's some dead guy and that I'm not crazy even though I'm hearing a voice in my head. And I keep having these dreams about these weird strangers I've never met who are apparently planning the end of the world. Oh, and apparently those dreams are about something that's really happening. But really, I'm fine and you don't need to worry about any of it.
Yeah, right. If he tells her about any of that, she'll think he's lost it completely. She'll want him to be committed somewhere. And she definitely won't even think about letting him travel to Haven.
He pushes his food around his plate for a minute, thinking about what to say. "I guess I just haven't been sleeping great lately," he says finally, sighing slightly. "I've been having these odd dreams a lot and they always make me feel on edge."
"I'm sorry to hear that, sweetheart," his aunt says, frowning worriedly. "You know, my mother used to make me a good cup of tea before I went to bed when I was having trouble sleeping. It worked like a charm, every time."
"Maybe that would help," he says noncommittally, taking a moment to brace himself to ask his next question. "But I was thinking, I've finished most of the spring planting chores that needed to be done. I was wondering if it would be okay if I could take a trip to Haven? There's something I've been wanting to check out there."
He waits for her to reject his request. But to his surprise, she smiles at him. "Of course!"
"R—really?" he asks, taken aback.
"Oscar, you've been such a hard worker. I've been so lucky to have you here with me. And like you said, the spring planting work is pretty much finished. You've more than earned a vacation by now, for as long as you like. I can take care of the rest here by myself for a bit."
"Really?" he asks again, beaming at her when she nods. "Thank you so much!"
"You're very welcome, dear," she replies fondly. "Like I've said, you've earned it. I'll see if I can scrounge up a bit of cash to help you on your way. I can't promise much, but it should be enough to get you there, and pay for a meal or two. Just promise me you'll be careful out there, Oscar. The big city can be a dangerous place."
"I will," he promises her. Neither of them have any idea of just where his journey will end up taking him.
I'm giving Oscar a better relationship with his aunt, because I can. Please leave a review if you liked it!