New Arrival

Kelila Bush clutched her leather bag tighter as she stood on a street in Paxisia Capitol City. She took in the beauty of everything. Though it was evening, the streets were busy; there were people everywhere. She enjoyed the sound of hearty laughter that danced out from the street corners. The streetlights were beautiful, standing in a middle line of the road in between well manicured flowery bushes.

"This is nothing like Diesel Town." Kelila said to herself. Diesel Town is one of the regions of Paxisia and where she had grown up. Kelila looked across from her to the big white bungalow that held this sign, "City Apothecary".

Suddenly, her mother's voice returned to her from a week ago, "When you get into the Capitol City, go straight to the City Apothecary and ask for Gwendoline Meyer. When you meet her, tell her that you're from Janessa. That's all you need." On reaching the Capitol City, Kelila had asked about for directions to this place, and the people she had met had all helped kindly. "Another line of difference between here and Diesel Town, the kindness," she thought to herself.

Kelila took a deep breath and crossed the street. As she noticed the beautiful colorful dresses that the people wore, she became a little self-conscious. She was dressed in just black leather pants and a white loose-fitted shirt with her black boots, she hoped she did not look so odd. She had also pulled her blonde wavy hair into a single braided pony tail. She hoped she looked presentable enough.

She got to the front of the building and was thankful to see the "OPEN" sign hovering at the door. She opened the door and entered. "Bienvenue, mademoiselle." The smiley face on the little signboard said, Kelila almost jumped at the sound as the voice was so strange. She looked back on the sign and the smiley face winked at her and she waved back.

Kelila continued on into the Apothecary, there were many bottles with labels sitting in different classes on the white shelves. At the windows were lines of plants pots. She came to the counter and saw a beautiful brunette who seemed to be in her early forties. She was dressed in purple dress with a white lab coat on it.

"Good evening, madam." Kelila greeted.

The lady looked up from what she was doing with a warm smile. "Good evening, pretty miss. What can I do for you?"

Kelila smiled politely back, "I am looking for Gwendoline Meyer."

The woman chuckled, "You're talking to her."

Kelila felt relieved. "I am from Janessa." The woman's eyes widened in shock at the sound of her mother's name and her hands flew to her mouth as she staggered backwards a bit.

After a few silent seconds passed, Dr. Meyer, as it said on her name tag, snapped her fingers and the door sign changed to "CLOSED". The door locked immediately. All the other lights went off except the one at the counter where they stood.

Dr. Meyer came from behind the counter and pulled Kelila into a hug. Kelila was surprised at the gesture. When it got too uncomfortable for Kelila, she pulled away politely. She looked at Dr. Meyer and there were tears streaming down her cheeks.

"What's wrong, ma'am?" Kelila asked her.

Dr. Meyer let out a short laugh as she worked to stop her tears. "Oh nothing. It's just that I have waited so long for this day." She smiled again. "You are such a strong child. What's your name?"

"Kelila."

"Now that's a lovely name and you are absolutely beautiful." Dr. Meyer looked on her once more before she returned to her place behind the counter. "Now I just need to put a call through to Dalphia, My friend told you about Dalphia, right?" She brought out a big black telephone.

Kelila nodded.

"Good. The new students started resuming today. You would join them by tomorrow. Is that okay with you?"

Kelila nodded again.

"Good. Excuse me then." Dr. Meyer said and left went through a door behind with the telephone.

Kelila wondered about Dr. Meyer. Who is this woman to my mother? How much does she know? She called me a strong child, did she know my mother's state, that my mother is crazy, or was crazy. Changing the verb to past tense caused sorrow to wash over her. Mother...

Kelila immediately put a pause to that thought process, I should focus on making the most of what lies ahead of me, that's what Mom said to do. The past hurts but it stays there - in the past.

Dr. Meyer returned back and beamed a smile at her. "It's time to go home now and rest. We have a big day tomorrow."

Kelila did not even ask a question. She already loved the sound of "rest". Her journey from Diesel Town had been one higgledy-piggledy ride. Her body ached all over. Although she did not completely trust the lady, she would appreciate the provision of rest.