Her eyebrows lift, giving me an approving look. “Good choice. Here, let me get you the keys.” Koko stands, her dress swirling around her as she moves towards an antique desk in the corner of the room.
She opens one of the drawers, rummaging around before she pulls out a set of keys. Her lips curl up into a warm smile as she strides back to me, her movements effortlessly graceful.
Extending her hand, she offers me the keys. Their dull bronze surface glimmers under the pale light as I take them.
I watch as Koko swiftly rips out a page from a notebook. She quickly writes something and then offers it to me. “I wrote the directions to the cabin. It’s really easy to get to. I’ve also included the number here and my cell phone number in case you need anything. What’s your number? I need to give it to Rog so he can let you know when your car is ready.”
I rattle off my number.
“You should go soon. It’s easier to find before dark,” she suggests, glancing up from jotting down my number. “No need to worry, it’s not hard to find, but it gets dark in the woods. It’s nestled right into the heart of the local forest – perfect for anyone hoping to escape it all. You won’t have any neighbors to bother you. But it means it gets very dark at night.”
“I see,” I answer, intrigued but slightly anxious at the notion of isolation. That’s when I think about Mango and laugh – he’s all the company I need.
“No, no, don’t you worry, Lily,” she assures me, misunderstanding my furrowed brow. “The road that leads to the cabin ends at the front door. You won’t miss it.”
“That sure sounds promising, Koko,” I reply, smiling despite my nerves. I decide to enjoy this enforced break. Perhaps I need this – the quiet, the solitude. I need a chance to heal, to move on, even if it’s just for a few days in the woods.
“Now, the cabin is quite charming. A lovely rustic A-frame – lots of windows, natural woodwork, a quaint little porch. It even has a fireplace! And it’s safeguarded. There’s a wooden domovoy statue sitting next to the porch. It was brought from the motherland.”
At my confused look, Koko explains, “A domovoy is a house spirit. He protects the home and its occupants. If you ever need help, you offer him some leftovers from your dinner.”
“I can’t wait to see it,” I say, accepting the paper and reviewing the directions. Koko winks at me, her excitement infectious. Perhaps this is exactly what I needed – a new place, an unexpected adventure.
“Come, Lily,” Koko says, extending her hand towards me, a cordial smile ghosting her lips, “I’ll walk you back to the garage so you can pick up your loaner.”
Koko is kind enough to take my rolling suitcase, so I don’t have to carry everything myself.
Exiting the bakery, we walk together. The ongoing festival’s vibrant colors and bustling sounds seem to come alive even more. The town is buzzing with laughter and conversation. The boundless energy of joyful celebration fills the air with an intoxicating magnetism. I watch, fascinated, as the people of the town revel in the festivities, eyes gleaming with delight, their faces alight with pure zest for life. Couples dance in the space before the stage as onlookers cheer them on, every corner echoing heartfelt laughter.
There’s a sense of harmony, a shared euphoria that I’ve never experienced before. All around me, the town –as strange as it is – feels alive, thumping with a heartbeat in rhythm with the music and merry chatter.
As we navigate the crowd, Koko commands attention like a celebrity walking the red carpet. The people of the town halt their lively conversations to greet her, their eyes sparkling with reverence and affection.
“Ah, good evening, Mayor. Another fantastic festival day,” the elderly man sitting outside the hardware store hails Koko, his face creasing into a warm smile.
A group of teenagers call after her, asking if she’s got a spot picked out in the park for the fireworks. I notice one of them, a boy probably not much more than eighteen, blushing furiously as Koko winks at him playfully.
And so, it goes on – every step we take, every corner we turn, people greet the mayor, their faces lighting up at the mere sight of the woman.
As we near the garage, I glance at Koko with newfound reverence, the way she’s so effortlessly the heart of this town. I can see why the townsfolk are so smitten by her. She radiates warmth and comfort, like a big cozy blanket.
I can see a sign up ahead that says Svarog’s Garage on a street corner that is far enough away from the town center that we’re mostly alone on our walk. Approaching the building, I see three garage bays, two of which are currently open. My car is in one bay and another unfamiliar vehicle is in the next. Rog is hunched over, his head nearly lost within the labyrinth of the other car’s engine.
When he sees us approaching, he straightens up, pulls a rag from his pocket, and cleans his hands.
“I already put in an order for your window. It’ll take at least two days to get here, if not more, and then another day for me to install it,” Rog warned, his brows furrowed in concern.
“Okay. If you can somehow get it here faster, I’d really appreciate it.”
He doesn’t respond, but I get the sense that my request would require a miracle. Rog pulls a set of keys out of his pocket and offers them to me. Then he points to an old blue truck parked on the side of the building. I have a feeling that the truck is older than I am but decide not to voice my doubts about it.
“It may be a little old, but it runs like a clock,” Rog swears. He plucks a slightly bent business card from his pocket, handing it to me. “Koko sent me your number, so I’ll text when your car’s ready. However, here’s my number in case you have any questions.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it,” I respond, tucking the keys in my pocket. My eyes linger on my vehicle, thankfully free from any apparent harm inside the garage.
“Just be careful at the turns, the brakes are touchy,” Rog adds in a gruff voice.
“Make sure you send me the bill, Rog,” Koko reminds the mechanic before turning back to me. “It’s been nice to meet you, Lily. I wish it were under better circumstances. However, enjoy the cabin. When Rog finishes with your car, you can drop the cabin’s keys off at the bakery.”
I thank Koko as she hands me my luggage. I turn to head to the truck, wanting to get to the cabin before it gets dark.
Koko starts to walk away, strutting towards the road, when she suddenly pauses, and a soft gasp escapes her lips. “Shoot!” She exclaims, smacking her forehead. “I almost forgot!”
She quickly walks back to me, her golden curls bouncing with each rapid step.
“There’s a little path behind the cabin. It leads to a lake,” she says, her hand waving in the air as if to draw me a mental map. A soft smile graces her lips. “There’s a charming gazebo there; it’s magical at night.”
She pauses, her gaze lost momentarily as if caught in a beautiful memory, before snapping back to reality. “And tonight, the town will set off an amazing firework display at 11 sharp. Trust me, you don’t want to miss it. The gazebo is one of the best places to watch the show!”
With a wink, she walks away, leaving me staring after her, feeling a little bit like a lost lamb.
I need to let Aunt Zizi know what has happened, but I’m too wiped out to figure out what time it is in New Zealand at the moment, so instead of calling, I text Aunt Zizi warning her that I’m stuck in the middle of nowhere for a few days because of car troubles.
Tossing my stuff into the truck bed, I set Mango’s crate in the passenger seat and get into the truck. It starts with a deep rumble I can feel in my rib cage. I put the car in reverse and slowly back out of the mechanic’s lot, giving myself plenty of space to get a feel for how the truck drives.
CHAPTER 9
