Mayor's Comment

My father noticed my nervousness and had a talk with me on the second day. It was full of kind advice and guidance about how to take things lightly and how to stop thinking about things that overwhelm me.

More than his words, I felt gratitude for his intentions. It was a warm feeling that I wanted to hold on to for life.

My mother also prepared my favorite dishes and Chloe kept playing little games that distracted me from thinking about things that were overwhelming me.

Somehow, the four days were gone before I knew it. My family was still the same, and so were the things around me.

Life in small towns is always like that, seemingly stuck in the same place, with similar events happening every day at a laid-back pace.

Anyway, when the morning of the 4th day of the week came, I got dressed again in the same outfit I had worn four days ago. It was because the last time I had worn that, I was blessed with good news, therefore even though I was being superstitious, I had to have my luck prepared for the big day.

I hadn't told my parents about Uncle Albert, his identity, or my plans related to him, because I was afraid that they would begin worrying about me. They were still able to understand that I was expectant and excited about something and therefore, silently encouraged me the best they could.

That day, 33rd Street looked a little different. Although the place looked the same as in my memories, there was a change in the atmosphere that I couldn't quite put my finger on. I had visited the place enough times to recognize any abnormalities and there was one on that day.

It wasn't enough for me to delay approaching my destination at the end of it, though. When I reached 33rd street, I was able to spot one of the reasons for that change.

The buff soldier who had scolded us and Sister Hin back then, and who seemed to be the leader of the Mayor's guards, stood outside the door of the lonely shop with his back straight.

He eyed me cautiously when I approached but turned away when he saw that it was me after lightly nodding his head. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry when I saw that. It seemed as if I had somehow made acquaintances with the Mayor's guard leader.

I nodded back at him, which he ignored, and entered the shop.

The scene inside looked identical to the one in my memory but there was one major difference - instead of me, it was the unfathomable Mayor who sat sulking in the corner of the shop, playing with weird things from the pawnshop while the owner sat in his chair reading another random book.

His presence amazed and startled me. It was only with great courage that I was able to stop myself from tiptoeing out of the shop.

My entrance alerted both of them, Uncle Albert only nodding at me, as if telling me that his job was done, and Mr. Mayor smiling forcibly as he said,

"I know I told you to stay hopeful but… you've surpassed my expectations."

He might have said that sentence woefully, but his eyes were full of praise for me, which put my startled heart at ease.