The ride to the steakhouse was silent. My Aunt looked outside, while I was also lost in my thoughts. We minded our own business. Suddenly, without knowing it, we arrived. My Aunt got outside and prepared my wheelchair. I sat down on that wheelchair, and my Aunt started to wheel me in. It was the usual day in the city center here in Kansas City. The tall buildings surrounded the small steakhouse we were going to. The moving and crowded street in front of us. The people walking about their days. This was central Kansas City.

We then went inside. It was a surprise for me when my Aunt decided to wheel me. She could have brought along some maids to take care of me, like she usually does. Whether it was with friends, colleagues, or even shopping, there was always a moment where I was left behind. Because of this wheelchair, I am a burden to the people around me. I couldn't follow along like them. I would sit somewhere far away from crowded areas and would just wait. Waiting, waiting, waiting until my Aunt came back from her business outside, then we would go home. I was sad, but I knew she needed a rest from taking care of little useless me.

It was different from when we were poor in Houston. Back then, she would always take me around everywhere. There were no maids, butlers, or fancy cars. There was only me and my Aunt. Money changes people, both in a good way and bad. But the way they get it is also a factor in how they change. When I got pushed inside that steakhouse, it reminded me of how we were in Houston. It reminded me how money isn't everything, but each other's warmth is. I don't care about all the money in the world, I don't care about fancy cars. Take them away from me all you want. But what you can't steal from me is the shoulder I cry on, the warmth of a family, and the affection from those beloved. You may never steal them from me.

As we got inside the steakhouse, the aroma of beef suddenly came bursting. That aroma was so good. I could imagine myself eating the steak right now. The steakhouse wasn't too fancy. Imagine a small restaurant near the Eiffel Tower, but Italian. We headed to our seats. The waiter came over and gave us the menu. My Aunt, still silent, took the two menus—one she took, and the other she gave me. It was beginning to get awkward as I looked through the menu. My Aunt hadn't spoken since we left the house. What is going on here? I asked myself. I then decided to find out by initiating small talk.

"So, Auntie," I said. "What would you recommend?" I asked.

"The Australian ribeye tastes wonderful, dear," my Aunt said.

"I'll get that then," I said.

"Well done?" my Aunt asked.

"Yes, as usual," I said.

My Aunt smiled a little. She then called the waiter. She ordered our food. We then patiently waited for the waiter to deliver our food. It was still silent. My Aunt was acting weird; this isn't like her. Maybe something she didn't want to talk to a child about was going on. So I decided to close my mouth and enjoy my surroundings. I regretted it.

The food then arrived. We started eating. It felt different. It didn't taste as good as the last time we went here. Had the beef gone bad? No. It was because of the uneasy feeling that I was having all this time. We ate in silence. No one was able to speak a single word. It felt like I was eating with a complete stranger. But my Aunt isn't a stranger. She's my everything. She's my world. When everyone sees me as an asset, she's the only one who sees me as family. She loved me. She cared about me. Why is she like this now?

After finishing eating, I placed my eating utensils down and wiped my mouth. After waiting a few minutes looking around, my Aunt finished her food. I looked at her. She then placed her eating utensils down, also wiped her mouth, stood up, and went behind me to wheel me out. She was silent and avoiding eye contact. Something is really going on. I then got wheeled in front. My Aunt paid for the meal, and we went to the car that was waiting for us—a light blue BMW crossover. I got inside, and my Aunt got inside. The driver took my wheelchair and placed it in the back luggage. There, as I looked behind me, I saw three big suitcases. I looked at the suitcases, then moved my eyes to my Aunt, curious about what they were for. The car then started moving. I wanted to know what they were for, so I braved myself, took a deep breath, and asked.

"Auntie, what are those suitcases for?" I asked.

"It's nothing, hon. Just go to sleep," my Aunt replied.

Weird. What a weird answer. What was she hiding from me? Was she going away from me? Are we moving out? Why do you need suitcases? I asked all these questions. But this is my Aunt we're talking about. I trust her with all my life, right? She cares about me and won't abandon me, right? I then got sleepy and decided to take a small nap. Suddenly, I woke up. We were nearing a big house somewhere. It wasn't our house.

"Auntie. Where are we?" I asked.

"You're awake! It would be easier if you stayed asleep," she murmured.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing, dear!" my Aunt said.

"Now we've arrived at my friend's house. We're staying there for a few days," my Aunt explained.

The car then stopped, and we arrived at the house.

"Rhoa, be a good girl and wait outside. Auntie wants to wear more makeup," my Aunt said.

I then followed her instructions and waited outside. I sat down in the wheelchair, with the three big luggages next to me. Suddenly, the car started to move.

To be continued....

*Note: This is a work of Fiction. Any Names, Organization, Etc are fictional. So is any actions here.

A word from the writer. 

"Yess! Finnaly. You have arrived at a milestone. Chapter 10! Thank you so very much for reading 11,000 words! Also thank you for the support you've been giving me! Feel free too make inputs. DM me in Instagram at @mrwalacrus. Once again thank you!"