Much Like Saying 'I Love You'

Uncle Wayne.

965 WORDS.

We pulled up to Eddie's trailer and he looked at it disappointedly.

"Sorry, it's nothing special," He commented but my mum scoffed.

"Don't be silly," She prompted as she took her seat belt off and climbed out of the car. We followed her actions and walked beside her. Eddie walked inside and greeted his uncle.

"What are you doing here?" He asked as we climbed the stairs, my mum walking in first.

"Julie will explain," Eddie called out as he rushed through the trailer presumably heading to his room. His uncle and my mum shared a smile.

"Hi, I'm Julie," She prompted as she held out her hand. He shook it with a smile.

"I'm Wayne, is he in trouble?" He asked but she chuckled.

"No, not at all," She explained before Wayne offered us a seat. We sat on the couch. "I hope you don't mind I've pulled him out of school." She started with a smile. "He has done nothing wrong, he was with my daughter Victoria-," She gestured to me as she spoke, I smiled when he looked at me. He seemed to peak up at the mention of my name. Eddie must have talked about me. "-when she got into a spot of bother with another student. She's a great child, not a violent bone in her body but this boy tried to kiss her, called her a wound-up bitch and Eddie a freak. If I was there I would have done more than punch him," She chuckled and he seemed to laugh as he nodded. "The teacher must have thought Eddie had done something too as they pulled them both aside to discipline them. I am sorting everything but I completely understand if you don't want him to see Victoria after this outburst," She explained and I looked at her quickly. What? Not see Eddie? I thought she was rooting for us. Why would she say that?! She's the one pushing us together and having him stay over. I continued to look at her confused as she was smiling at Wayne as he grinned.

"As far as I can tell, neither of them did anything wrong. I wouldn't want to punish them for nothing," He explained and my mum smiled a little wider. I sighed with relief. What would she have done if he said otherwise?

"I knew you'd understand, but that's perfect. Eddie volunteered to help with moving the wood for our decking. I would not be able to do it without him," She chuckled and he seemed to smile a little brighter.

"Oh, take him now if you want," He prompted so my mum smiled, placing a hand on her chest as if she was shocked and touched in the heart.

"That would be a great help," She added, her voice a little sweeter than usual. I looked at her confused. She can't date him, it would be weird. She cleared her throat. "When would you like him home?" She asked, I am completely lost, she was the one planning for him to stay over.

"As long as you want, I work nights and sleep through most of the day. Bring him back next week if you want," He joked, she laughed but smiled.

"Be careful, I just might," She added, he laughed like she was hilarious. I looked between them confused and uncomfortable. She reached into her bag and handed him her card. "Call if you change your mind or feel uncomfortable but a little heads up, if the school calls, just tell them that you will be saying nothing regarding the situation until further notice," She explained so he nodded taking in her words and accepting her card. "Victoria, would you wait by the car a moment?" She asked me so I smiled. My eyebrows still furrowed together but nodded before getting up.

"Nice to meet you," I added as I smiled at Wayne, he happily accepted and reciprocated my polite smile.

"Nice to meet you too," He added so I nodded and headed outside to sit on the hood of the car waiting for them.

Julie watched as Tori left before smiling at Wayne. He smirked knowing instantly what was going on.

"I'm not sure if you're aware but I think they will be dating soon," She explained making him laugh.

"Oh, Eddie is smitten," He chuckled, and she smiled as she nodded.

"Tori was determined not to love him but she has finally admitted a crush," She explained happily making him smile. Julie didn't realise Eddie had his ear pressed to the door listening to their conversation. Eddie grinned. Joy overcoming him. He wanted to dance, he wanted to run to Tori and hug her, be with her. He calmed down to continue listening. "I was hoping Eddie would spend the night tonight. Nothing crazy will happen. I'll be there once I've finished work. I just want them to be happy," She clarified but he smiled.

"They'd kill us if they knew what we were saying," Wayne chuckled, Julie, laughed as she agreed. "I'll call you tomorrow for an update," He added making her laugh again.

"I can't wait," She exclaimed. They shared a happy smile. "Well, I best be going, I have to go back to work," She explained so he smiled, standing with her. They shook hands before exchanging goodbyes. Wayne followed Julie to the door. Eddie rushed past shouting a goodbye. They climbed into the car waving a short goodbye to Wayne as they drove away.

"What was that about?" I asked sitting forward in the back. My mum chuckled.

"Just a parently talk, nothing to bother yourself with. He's fine with you staying over," She added to Eddie making him grin. I looked at her sceptically but shook it off. We drove home.