Up the Mountain

"Ahhh! I'm so happy to see you!"

Liz hugged Alex tightly while Alex was too stunned to do anything else. He had not expected to meet his aunt like this. Rather, he hadn't expected to meet his aunt at all.

"Is that really you?" Alex asked.

"Of course it is me. Who else could it be?" Liz asked with a chuckle in her voice. She simply couldn't hide her excitement after finally meeting one of her kin after 16 years of being separated from them.

"It's been so long… and you haven't aged a day, aunt Liz," Alex said. A smile was starting to form on his face as well. He was happy.

"Meanwhile, you've grown up a lot. How old were you last time I saw you? 15?" she asked.

"I believe so. I didn't see you guys ever since sister went to University, I believe," Alex said. "Have you been all alone this whole time?"

"I have," Liz said. "Why didn't you show yourself sooner? Where were you this whole time?"