One thing made abundantly clear through Auntie Kiki's meeting with the Boss was that animals truly do have keen senses of smell. She had brought some of her crops as a gift to give the Boss. Obviously, she hadn’t tucked them deeply enough within her satchel because the Boss's pets: a dog, a cat, a giraffe and a lemur had gotten to those tiny tomatoes and cabbages before she could even offer a "Hello!" let alone the sack of produce. (It’s a good thing the Boss has a healthy sense of humor.) I guess Auntie Kiki should be flattered because, as she was leaving, the lemur (who, in case you are curious, goes by the name of Andriamanitra or Mani if he likes you) patted her hand and belched in gratitude.
Another thing made clear was that, in the Boss's opinion, due to the progress she's made with her cases, it only makes sense that she give the monthly speech in the "waiting area" or, as we may refer to it down here, purgatory. Internally, our protagonist began to hyperventilate. However, she managed to appear calm and to respectfully thank the Boss for the honor. No one, at least up there, says no to the Boss.
And now Auntie Kiki is at her desk, trying to figure out what to say. When she first got up there, she used to laugh at her peers who had to do these, at least in her opinion, condescending pep talks. In all honesty, what can one say to a bunch of lost people who have died, but aren’t allowed any of the benefits that she is afforded?
“Roles reversed.” She thought, opening a new word document on her laptop. “I’d hate me.”
“Hi, People. Here’s the deal. You obviously upset the Boss. My advice is that you apologize and be sure to be genuine about it. You need to listen to your coaches and allow their messages to make you the better versions of yourselves. If you listen to all of us, you’ll get to have a spiffy garden like mine in no time!” Auntie Kiki blurts out, sarcastically.
Auntie Kiki lets out a sigh and closes her eyes. "Come on. Be serious." She whispers to herself.
Auntie Kiki thinks for a moment before opening her eyes and beginning to type.
“Good Morning. My name is Marie. I am a Chief Guide. I passed away after a long illness in 2022. There are times when I feel lost. If it wasn’t for my cases, such amazing people who inspire me I swear sometimes more so than I do them, I’m sure I’d be the one on the receiving end of this speech. I miss my loved ones, my adventures with my best friend. Despite all of the good that I’ve done since dying, I often wonder sometimes why the Boss called for me when I know that I was still needed at home. I like to think that it’s my best friend who motivates me, my loved ones that I left behind that allow me to go about my days not questioning, but doing…existing with a sense of humor and compassion as my best friend and I did with each other even on my worst day. If not for yourselves, I hope you can remember someone amazing and allow them to motivate you to improve so that one day, I can see you up there. You don’t belong down here. No one belongs in a place set aside for the lost. You are not hopeless. I urge you to remember better times, and, like me, let one positive thought push you into a better existence. Thank you.”
Auntie Kiki stopped typing. She took a deep breath and began to proofread. She rubbed her eyes, holding back tears.
“It’s going to have to do.” Auntie Kiki said as she printed her document. She'd send for a courier shortly so that the Boss can look over her speech and send back input.
Right now though, it was time for some art therapy. Auntie Kiki got up and began to cross over to her easel. Along the way, she heard the mail arrive. Reports slapped upon the floor, but she didn’t move towards them. She had some animals to paint.
