She was everything she wanted to be. If I would need to describe her being in one word I would choose: „strong“.

My Aunt did what she wanted and just didn’t care about anything else than that. And she survived that way. With nothing else than her own power. Gretel was one of the most fascinating persons I knew. Full of Energie and good vibes she would share with everyone around her. Nothing could bring her down. In her own way she had a life fulfilled of dreams. She never once was in a relationship in her life even though everyone around her told her to settle for a Family and a „real“ Home. And all that is the reason why people either Love or Hate her.

Yasmin loved her. And I did too. Whenever she was in town she would open her small Coffee shop and we would play there all day. Hiding behind the Long flower curtain or one of the many giant self-made flowerpots. She had made them all herself from clay and loam, then she had painted them some with stripes, some with floral pattern, some with dots and some with small animals. My all time favorite was still the light blue flowerpot with the various insects that were crawling and flying away from the black raven in Nosedive inside of the pot was a small lemon Tree. Everything in this Coffee shop was as unique as Gretel was herself. When I turned again to face the two most important people in my life, they both shoved their fingers with cream in my face and painted my cheeks with the sweet sauce. I didn’t even had time to protest so fast were they already back in their seats looking at me with the most innocent faces as if nothing at all happened. Only the quiet snap Yasmin’s Phone made when she was taking secretly a photo from me reviled the truth. „Yasmin!“ I shouted, „Delete that picture right away!“ I tried to snatch her phone away and failed pathetic. She tossed it to Gretel who shaked it laughing in front of my nose. Whenever I tried to take it the women pulled it away and tossed it to the other one. When we all were out of breath I gave up with a sigh and sunk in my chair. With all limbs stretched out we hung in our chairs. When we finally catched our breath again Gretel began to laugh and soon we all joined in, what didn’t really help to settle our breath.

There were still dried residues of cream on my cheeks and a and a slight smile hung on my lips as on Yasmin’s too, when we left the coffee shop. „Tomorrow is the twins birthday!“ Yasmin said soon after the sound of the doorbell had faded away. „I know.“ I answered even though I knew that it was a statement not a question. She hummed in response. „What?“ I asked knowing that there was something else she wanted to say. „Nothing… Just thinking maybe we could invite Gretel.“ The hope in her voice made me shiver. I sighed „Yasmin …“ I begun but the named girl stopped me before I could even start: „I know what you are about to say but think about it Kai. I don’t want to make my brothers hope and don’t hold the promise either, but thats why I said maybe. I know Gretel never held any of her promises, but we can just not tell them? It would be a surprise and if she doesn't show up she doesn’t. We can even get a present for her, you know that she can give to them?“ I felt uncomfortable with that suggestion I didn't really know why but I had a bad feeling with this. „I guess we can ask. but don't be too disappointed if she doesn't want to. You know how she is.“ I gave in with a frown.

Gretel never was at any of my birthday Partys. But I don't judge her I love her the way she is and she has her own life. She didn't need to come at any of my birthday Partys. At least that was what I told myself.