…

The hardware store was situated not far from the grocery store, only a block down the main road. The store itself had a small storefront, but the store was deep, nestled between the town bakery and another new store Luca had seen on his way into town yesterday. Felix parked the car in the empty lot, just next to the doors as Luca stepped out, staring through the store window at the display in front, full of fake snowman, shovels, and winter boots. It was a cute display.

As the two men passed through the door, they stomped off the snow from their boots and stepped into the store, the doorbell chiming with their arrival. 

“What brings you here, Felix?” A young man stood at the front desk, his arms as wide as logs, a dark beard hanging from his wide chin as he smiled at Felix, his gaze moving towards Luca, who stared at the man with amazement.

He’s like Paul Bunyan! His adopted mother, having been raised in North America, shared many different American folktales with him, showing him pictures of the various characters from the legends when he was little. Staring at the towering man at the counter, dressed in the same red flannel, he could not help but think of Paul Bunyan. 

“Paul, this is Luca, my childhood friend from the church.” Felix grabbed Luca’s shoulders, and pulled him in close, laughing as he introduced him with a friendly atmosphere. “Luca, this is Paul Buchanan. He’s Mr. Jonathan’s son.”

Mr. Jonathan was the past owner of the hardware store in town. He was a popular figure amongst the children as a coach. He played as shortstop in the minor leagues while in college, eventually ending his career after a heavy injury to his left knee. Luca remembered he often would walk with a cane, walking steadily around the town when Luca would leave the church on outings into town with the other orphans. Mr. Jonathan had always praised Luca’s athletic abilities and encouraged him to take part in sports when he was old enough to join a team. He was the reason Luca had eventually joined the football club in high school and continued to play into college. 

Did something happen to Mr. Jonathan? Luca thought to himself as he greeted the man’s son. “It’s nice to meet you, Paul. I’m Luca, Felix’s childhood friend.” Luca smiled as he asked. “Is Mr. Jonathan still in town?” He had not heard anything about the man passing away. He hoped that he could talk with him again soon, just like old times. 

Paul leaned against the counter, his face full of worry as he sighed. “My dad’s doing well, as much as that old man can. He keeps trying to ignore the doctor’s orders and shovel out the driveway, but thankfully I’ve been able to keep him busy with the crossword puzzles in the newspaper.” Paul laughed, “I’m sure you would like to see him again, wouldn’t you, Luca? He’s told me a lot about you.”

Hearing that, Felix could not help but say, “All good things, of course.” 

After talking for a short amount of time, Luca left his current cellphone number with Paul to give to his father, asking him to contact him when he was free. As much as Luca wanted to see him, he had to make sure the old man was doing well beforehand. It seemed that he had been injured or sick as of late and needed rest. Seeing Luca, it may not be a good idea for this trip. 

I can always visit the town again. I’m sure Felix and Ms. Lowell would like that too. There were too many people he wanted to see, and such little time. Maybe he could come again later and catch up when he had more time?

Felix and Luca were quick to leave as they only had a short amount of time before lunch. The trip down the road to the local pharmacy and medical clinic was even shorter, and Luca sat in the car, waiting for Felix as the young priest ran inside and spoke to the pharmacist. Because the town was so small, there was no drive through option or pickup at the door. Instead, you would have to enter the pharmacy and pick up the prescription the old way. It was inconvenient and slow, but Felix managed to quickly enter and exit the pharmacy before he returned to the car with three small prescription bags.

Placing the bags under the centre console, Felix buckled his seat belt and pulled out of the parking lot with some haste, attempting to hurry back safely to make sure they were back in time before lunch began. As Felix drove, Luca could not help but look down at the medications in the bags, curious as to what Felix had to pick up. The only ticket he could see on the gathered bags was a note, a note with Felix’s name typed on it in neat, stiff font. The medication’s name was covered by another note.

Is Felix sick? Luca wondered, moving his eyes back to the windshield. Maybe I’ll ask him later. With that thought in mind, Luca quietly sat in the passenger’s seat, watching the car drive down the back road to the church. The pair quickly parked in the small parking lot behind the church, pulling into a less snowy spot with their arms full of bags. They ran through the snow, clutching their spoils, slipping and sliding as they ran back to the entrance of the orphanage with smiles on their faces, appearing as if nothing could go wrong.