How Bad Could You Really Be?

You're family is coming here?

The next day I woke to an empty house. Oncie must have already gone into town. He seemed distant since the night before. After what happened I couldn't blame him. I showered and put on a semi-professional outfit. I headed into town to catch the bus that took me to the next town over. Oncie was not in the stand either. Hopefully he was okay. It was approximately a 30 minute ride. When I arrived the man, named Harold, greeted me with a smile. He was excited to meet me. He had enjoyed what I sent him and wanted to see more. A stack of papers slid across the desk toward me.

"We've drawn up a contract for this book. Just this one for now. We've loved it here. But as a budding writer we don't want to permanently lock you in with us. If you like how we've published things. Well, you can stay with us," his voice boomed.

"Oh wow," I said taken aback by the offer.

He laughed and patted my shoulder. I was left alone to read over the contract. After a few minutes a younger girl, just a bit older than me, came into the room. She went over the legal aspects of the contract. It seemed pretty clear and straight forward. I was signing off on the paperwork when Harold walked back in.

"She's signing everyone!" he bellowed.

The small office erupted in cheers. I couldn't help but laugh. Harold shook my hand happily. He said he would be in touch over the next few weeks. I slipped a copy of the paperwork into my bag. Tucked in my bag was the scarf Oncie made me. I tended to keep it with me. The softness wrapped around the skin of my neck as I smiled. Hopefully Oncie would be excited as well. It was only a few minute wait for the train. When I arrived back in town I decided to go see my dad. I walked to the door and pulled out my keys. Just as I was about unlock it when the opened. I stared blankly at Oncie. My dad was walking behind him as if leading him to the door.

"Unm, hi," I said, "what are you doing here?"

"I thought you were here," Oncie said.

"No, I had a meeting today. I told you yes...ter...day," I trailed off realizing I had not told him, "I met with Harold."

"Oh? How did it go?"

"I signed a contract with them. They bought my book!"

"That's wonderful!" my dad said, pushing his way past Oncie to give me a hug, "I'm so proud of you. We should go...ahh, I can't go anywhere tonight."

He shoved Oncie outside and slammed the door shut. I looked at Oncie.

"What was that about?" I asked.

"No idea, let's go home," Oncie said abruptly.

"What's going on?"

"What do you mean?"

"Both of you are acting weird. Is there something I should know?"

"Probably. Maybe he has a date. I dunno."

"Mhm."

"So you're a writer now?" he said trying to change the subject.

"I guess so. Hey, Oncie," my tone changed, "are you feeling okay today?"

"Yeah, why?"

I could tell he was lying. He wasn't very good at it after all.

"I'm okay, ya know," I assured.

"Are you? What I did was awful! Borderline unforgivable."

"I wouldn't go that far. I don't think whatever compelled you to act like that was you."

"I feel so horrible. I would never try to hurt you like that."

"I know that. I'm not upset with you. I mean it hurt to hear those things, but I love you Oncie. Nothing's gonna change that."