I flop into the seat across from my uncle and lift my camera off my shoulder by sliding the strap up and over my head, letting it rest beside me. I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease wash over me.
"Are you mad or something?" Uncle quips from across, forcing me to meet his gaze with my defeated eyes.
"Wait, why would I even be mad?" I ask back as my back slams against the seat, crossing my arms over my chest.
"Looks like your dad put you in an awkward spot earlier." He says. "You know how this will work, Dan. You just gotta learn to roll with it."
"Trust me, I have been trying it for the past years," I mutter, glancing around the van with a sigh.
I turn my head to the left, where the sturdy metal lattice stretches upwards to form a barrier between the front and back seats, to see my dad. As Nehemiah starts the engine and grips the shift, Dad appears to say something to him, but I can't quite catch it over the sound of the roaring van. The headlights, with their bright orange glow, pierced through the air like a rod to reveal nothing but thick fog ahead. With a sudden jolt, the van lurches forward, causing my body to sway slightly to the side, feeling the momentum of the vehicle pushing me back. I could feel the rhythmic vibration booming under my boots.
"Isn't it awful how mad you are at yourself? "
"Oh, Jes-" My hands instinctively fly to my chest as I whip my head to the right, where my so-called uncle is sitting now, holding my camera in his hand. Last time I checked, he was on the opposite side of the van, and the sudden question that has arisen from next to my ear had just caught me off guard.
"You scared the living daylights out of me, you egghead! I thought you dropped the habit of sneaking up on people like that!" I exclaim, taken aback.
"What?" Uncle asks innocently, his expression resembling that of a lost puppy.
"What do you mean by "What?". I snatch my camera off his hand.
"I mean, what did I do now?" Uncle asks with the same innocent tone. "If I did scare you, I promise it wasn't intentional. But if you want, I can try to sneak up on you again later."
"I am serious! If you pull that stunt again, I swear!" I warn.
"What is going on?"
Our heads snap towards the front, in the direction of the sudden question, and I notice Dad looking back at us, his features scrunching up in a mixture of confusion and anger.
"Ask your brother!" I retort.
"Well, I didn't do anything."
My head whips towards my uncle once more at the sound of his innocent tone. My gaze bores into my uncle's, anger boiling inside me as our eyes lock in a battle of wills. He regards me with a skeptical look, as if feigning ignorance of what he had done. Or perhaps he genuinely has no idea.
"Hey, Could you two just simmer down?" Frustration creeps into his voice, dad chips in. "How many times do I have to remind you that we are not in Dallas? Don't squabble like you're back in your hometown."
"Dad, but he j-"
"No more buts, Ella." Dad says with a stern tone and cuts me off with a firm command, silencing my protest immediately.
"Fine..." We both mumble in unison.
Dad fixes us with a piercing gaze, as if trying to determine whether we're truly ready to put our argument aside. He lets out a long, weary sigh and then turns his head to face Nehemiah, his voice firm and resolute as he begins to give out instructions.
Isn't it awful how mad you are at yourself?
The words flash through my head again. I sharply turn my head to my uncle and hiss through gritted teeth, "And what are you talking about?"
"What?" Uncle scrunches his face.
"You said I am mad at myself," I say, seeking clarification.
"Oh...That..." Uncle's face lit up with a knowing glint in his eyes. "C'mon, Dan!" He nudges his knuckle against mine. "I've known you for the past nineteen years. I'm not only your uncle but also a friend. And I know that you..." He taps on my nose and continues, "are upset with yourself because you feel like you're not living up to your father's expectations of you."
I widen my eyes, feeling the pressure build up inside my throat, but unable to find any words to spit out. His lips curl up into a knowing smile, realizing that he has gotten through to me.
He adds, "Stop beating yourself up. Your father loves you for who you are, and he knows how hard you've worked to get where you are today. Just be yourself and let him be proud of you for that."
"And... How do you?" My mind was muddled with confusion.
He shrugs like the answer is obvious, "You kinda remind me of my younger self, and trust me, that is so unhealthy for both mentally and physically."
A feeling of relief washes over my chest. I smile, grateful for the realization that, finally, someone understands the weight on my shoulders.
"Why do you sound wise?" I ask, surprised.
Uncle raises an eyebrow and shoots me a curious glance, "Is that supposed to be a compliment?" He asks, voice hinting at a touch of sarcasm. "Just making sure because, you know, I don't want to call for another argument," He adds, chuckling lightly. It's clear that he's teasing me and trying to lighten the mood.
I can't help but let out a small laugh at his comment. Uncle has always had a good sense of humor, and I'm grateful for his ability to diffuse any tension between us.
"Seriously though, I'm kinda freaking out over this. It's just so damn frustrating." I say. "You're always so quirky, yet you manage to handle your day-to-day stuff like a boss without breaking a sweat. How the heck do you even do that?"
Uncle reclines and shut his eyes, his head nestled against the metal surface of the van as his arms cross over his chest. With an air of mystery, he utters, "Listen, kid," as if he's about to reveal the world's best-kept secret. "People are all about that mystery, so I gotta keep it under wraps for 'em."
Well, there goes my curiosity, crushed in seconds.
;D
//
YOU ARE READING
D E S P O T I S M
General Fiction"You have one night to escape from here, blondie." He warns with his gritted teeth as his unblinking, blood-stained eyes steamingly dart into mine. "If I see you tomorrow morning on this street again, I won't kill you. I won't, even if you're on you...
