Shadows Of Guta (Excerpt 3) She Pushes

“Istvan!” Stephen’s great-aunt yells from the other end of the hall.

Her voice is shrill yet somehow pleasant as she uses his name of origin. This sudden announcement of his name startles Stephen and he knows she must have seen him jump, much like a little child would if caught doing something they were not suppose to. He hears her heading in his direction as he begins to turn around.

“Istvan,” she repeats again as she reaches out in a soft manner rubbing her hand up and down on his arm in a motherly way. “Oh no,” she says shaking her head back and forth. “Stephen, I must get used to calling you Stephen.” She grins.

“Why don’t you come back to the room, there is nothing down here for you.” With her right hand, she pushes him slightly on his back and they walk down the hall toward the group of people who are now putting on their coats and gloves. “Everyone is getting ready to go home and they want to say goodbye.” She mutters as she leaves him standing alone near the front door.