The alarm clock goes off as I stretch my limbs out, my mind already racing. 

I whipped up some breakfast—boudin sausage and fluffy scrambled eggs with a side of Voodoo U, a tasty local beer with a skeleton on the bottle cover staring me down.

My morning felt as same as it ever was, but that would change today. I'll need to visit Yolanda. 

After a quick shower, I donned my giant metal funnel hat, a signature look, and stepped outside.

The welcoming breeze of the air felt quite nice out. It wasn't scorching hot like it usually would be, nor was it annoyingly chilly, where it felt like dogs were chewing at your face. For once, the weather was just right. 

Since gas will never get any cheaper, I left my car and rode on the city bus.

I took in the familiar sights as we cruised downtown: live concerts, museums, and restaurants, some of which are the few things I don't entirely hate about this crumbling place. 

My attention was grabbed by a local joint called "Rockin Rebel Willys," which serves one of my favorite dishes, Huevos Rancheros. It was also Yolanda's usual order when we regularly went over there. Well, when we used to.

It wasn't far from the pet store she worked at around this time, so I pulled the bus cord as the blur of strangers outside came into focus, and soon I was back on the bustling street. 

I almost tripped and fell on a cracked sidewalk for a third time this month. This state's money should go somewhere useful instead of casinos and stadiums. But their priorites are pretty twisted.

The air was thick with savory scent of gumbo and beignets as I entered the joint. But I can't linger around. I need to get those Huevos and head back to the bus.

I watched the streets pass by through the bus window, and it stirred up some of my deepest fears. Being another face in the crowd, waiting for change that will never come. Feeling invisible. Fading away as an afterthought as the city moves on without me.

But I may just be overthinking.

I extended my arm with a lunch bag, lightly shaking it. "Ay, Yo-yo!!" 

Her smile faded before she spoke again, eyeing me up and down with her sharp, dark brown eyes through her round glasses. "Florence, what are you doing here unannounced? It is not like you to show up out of nowhere."

 

"I wanted to have lunch with you. I got Los Huevos!" 

"As much as I appreciate the gesture, I cannot just drop everything and go to lunch right now. I have work to do." 

I walked over with a smirk and set the bag on her desk. "Come on, Yolanda. Who'd want to turn down a free meal?".

She chuckled, her resistance beginning to waver. "Well, I suppose you have a point there. But still, I really should—" 

I interrupted, leaning closer to the desk with a persuasive tone. "Think about it. Succulent Huevos Rancheros, on the house. Doesn't that sound good?" 

Her walls quickly broke down. "Oh, alright, you win. You know how irresistible they are." 

"Cool, let's sit down somewhere and catch up." I scanned the store for an empty spot until I saw an area that caught my eye with hypnotizing flickering lights that casted off warped shadows. I diverted my attention elsewhere and found the perfect place. 

We pulled up some chairs, and Yolanda went straight down to business.

"I missed you, Florence. But it feels like I am always the one reaching out. What is up with that? Are you trying to avoid me?" 

She was clearly frustrated, something I'm not exactly used to seeing from her.

"No, it's not like that." I shrugged nonchalantly, turning to the distractingly vibrant fish in their tanks lining the walls of the pet store. "I just, have a lot on my mind." 

"And what is that, exactly?" she asked. 

I hesitated, my gut-wrenching at the pit of my stomach, having kept Yolanda in the dark about my struggles. "Eh, Stuff. Work. You know how it is." 

Ever so skeptical, Yolanda told me, "Do not give me that vague answer. I know there is more going on in that head of yours than just work." 

My gaze dropped to the floor. "No, really, I'm fine. Just dealing with some stuff, you know?". 

She reached out and patted my hand. "Well, just know that I am here for you, OK? You do not have to go through whatever you are going through alone." 

I couldn't take my mind off that strange room.

Without hesitation, I stood up and walked over to the gleaming light show, my curiosity getting the best of me.

She watched with intrigue as I reached out and started peeling away the wallpaper, revealing what seemed to be a false wall. Her eyes widened in surprise, and she forced a gulp sound, tugging at her collar.

"Florence, what are you doing?" 

I ignored her as my excitement grew as I continued to peel through the wallpaper.

Yolanda urgently screamed, "Don't worry about it, Foil! Don't touch it, don't ruin it! It is not safe." 

 "What’s so dangerous about wallpaper?" I said as I peeled the corner back. Beneath it was a wavy, metallic surface.  "Is there something more behind this?"

"Oh, that? It is, uh... just some old storage room that we keep...supplies in."

I raised myleg, ready to kick the wall in, when Yolanda’s voice erupted.

“STOP!” 

I lowered my foot as I turned to face her. She buried her head in her hands as though she's conjuring up a convincing excuse out of thin air.

“Okay, okay!” Yolanda blurted, stumbling over her words. “It is just... a renovation I have been working on for the store!”

I crossed my arms and looked her dead in her flailing eyes.

“Fine,” she muttered in defeat. “It’s, er, uh, a little science lab that I have back there.”

I stared at her, the flickering light, and the exposed metal wall. I struggled to process it all. Yolanda was many things, but a scientist wasn't one that immediately came to mind. "Your lab? What the hell, Yolanda?"

"Look, I know it's hard to believe, but I have been conducting experiments there for a while now. I just... I did not know how to tell you. Or anyone for that matter." 

I studied her face, searching for any hint of deception, but all I saw was sincerity. Which wasn't a good sign. This was a pet store. It shouldn't even be in here. My instincts kicked in, telling me that I should leave, but my feet chose to stay. Despite all the warning signs, something about Yolanda's passion and desperation made me want to believe her, even if I didn't know why.

"Alright, show me what you've got," I said, stepping back to let her take the lead. 

She smiled gratefully. " I will show you everything I have to offer." 

I cautiously asked, "Do the owners know what you're doing back there?" 

Yolanda chuckled with a bit of defiance in her tone. "Let's just say they are better off not knowing. Trust me, it is for a good cause. Come along now, dear Foil..." 

The whole area was spacious. Machinery and electrical devices hummed and whirred while neatly labeled test tubes lined the shelves. A chalkboard with erased smudges all over

However, the place smells. It reminds me of my apartment, reeking of sadness and emptiness. But with the added bonus of circus stench. A very stuffy feeling with the stink of animal crap. But she tried to cover it up with that lavender spray.

Yolanda piped up before I could even ask what this nuttiness was. "Now that you are here, what do you think about helping me with my experiments?" 

I was thrown off by her unexpected request. "Oh well, what in particular do you need help with?" 

Yolanda's smile widened, her enthusiasm bubbling over. "I have this new experiment that I have been working on, and I think your DNA could help me test it out," she explained. "It is all part of my latest project, and I could use your help if you are willing." 

... 

DNA? 

Why would I even do that? 

Why would she want to do this? 

Doesn't she see the absolute chaotic mess within these walls surrounding her that she created? 

I unfroze. "What for?" 

"You see, I've been researching genetic material for DNA splicing and such. And we needed another human subject, and I guessed that you were the closest thing to a human I know who does not live far from here."

Despite her sincerity, doubts still lingered in my mind. Does she know what she's getting into? The whole idea was unsettling. 

Yolanda met my gaze, noticing that she was losing me.  "You know, here is a thought. Do you ever feel like life is missing a few crucial pieces?"

"Sure, sometimes."

"This project I have been working on might fill in those missing pieces," Yolanda explained. "It is fixing what is broken, tinkering with the threads of existence. And this store is a haven for creatures that deserve love and care. These hybrids are our chance to make a real difference and push the boundaries of what is possible. The idea of meddling with the very essence of life resonated within me. Sure, some experiments did not turn out as well as I hoped, but we learn from our mistakes and find a solution. So, will you be a part of this journey?" 

The decision weighed on me, a crossroads between reason and the unknown. Who knows what kind of horrific mesh of flesh and bone she might concoct with my genes.

"You are a passionate young lady," I said. "But I'm not sure I can agree to this. I don't feel comfortable about any of this." 

Her expression softened, and she nodded. "I get it. It is a lot to ask, and I respect your decision. Just know that the offer still stands if you ever change your mind. And whatever you decide, I understand".  

Despite reaching an agreement, there was still a lingering itch that I needed to scratch. Why the familiar lavender smell? 

"You know, there's just one thing that's been bothering me. Do you usually spray lavender around here?" 

Yolanda raised an eyebrow. "Huh? Well, yeah. It is a very iconic smell. Why do you ask?" 

I shrugged, noticing a slight change in her demeanor. "Just curious, I guess. I couldn't help but notice it earlier. It remings me of somebody who used to wear lavender perfume, but I can't remember who."

"Erm, that is strange," she replied, her voice neutral. "Perhaps it is just a coincidence."     

"Perhaps". I carefully considered my question. "How's your family doing? You get to catch up with them often, right?" 

 I saw a flicker of something in her eyes, a brief moment of hesitation that betrayed her facade of indifference. She quickly masked it with a forced smile, leaving me with a lingering sense of unease.

There was more to this lavender-scented memory than meets the eye. She had to be hiding something, something she wasn't ready—or willing—to share. 

"Oh, you know," she replied vaguely with a half hearted chuckle. "Families... they are complicated." 

"Yeah, I get it," I said quickly, feeling like I worn out my welcome. "Anyway, I should probably get going. Nice seeing you again, Yo-yo." 

Yolanda nodded, grateful for the opportunity to change the subject. "Yeah, see you around, Foil." 

I snapped back to reality as the commotion faded. The fluorescent smell of lavender hit me one last time before I left for the time being. 

I need to figure out what is going on in Yolanda's mind without being intrusive. I don't want to lose her trust, but I couldn't possibly get involved.

If one thing is clear, whatever she's hiding, it'll drag me back.