The apothecary is an actual place, but it only exists within my mind (and in quite boisterous display on the front and back cover). I, the author and reluctant docent, invite the readers in, and give them a tour of the shoppe, which is based on an apothecary shoppe from the heyday of the American Revolution. The trinkets and tchotchkes are memories. The sections of the shoppe are symbolic sanctuaries for memories. The different quirks of the atmosphere of the shoppe, down to the dynamic between the gardeners, are all things symbolic of emotions, thoughts, memories, or other intangible pieces of nostalgia that exist within the recesses of my twisted mind. Come on in, and explore! You may find this author's story - how do you say - relatable.