86

NANA'S PET

Matteo needed his privacy from everyone and everything. He knew Nana hated the farmhouse because it brought back memories of her husband.

His grandfather loved to plant vegetables and flowers in the garden, and Nana always helped him. Together, they would spend hours tending to the plants and enjoying each other's company.

When his grandfather passed away, she did not have the strength to go on planting. That was how it was abandoned and that part of her that loved to grow things had died with the love of her life.

Matteo had always hidden in the farmhouse as a child when he wanted to be alone or whenever Nana's hovering and nagging became too much to bear. He would often climb up the tall oak tree in the yard.

It was a peaceful escape from the chaos of his everyday life. Upon reaching the huge entrance, he found out that it had been locked with a padlock. The door design was a latch-style lock.

He removed his suit and smiled. It was a good thing he could still pick locks.