"Welcome, you can put on the apron and begin."
The moment I entered Uncle PP's shop, that was the first thing he said. He was over the counter and did not even look up.
"Good afternoon… I am not here for a job," I said, walking straight to him.
He kept working. Leaves scraped against the mortar. The pestle moved in slow circles like he had been doing that same motion for years.
"Then what are you here for?"
"Eriko said I should pick up a package here."
I said this because when Eriko dropped me at school this morning he told me to branch here before coming home. He said I should pick up a package for him. He did not say what. He just said Pali will understand, and that was all.
The shop smelled strange. Herbs. Dust. Something bitter in the air.
"I was expecting you yesterday, Faye. I said pick up the apron and begin.." he said, face still down, crushing some leaves in a mortar.
What the fuck is wrong with him?
