DIFFERENT

Uncertain Future

It was the day for Chelsea to leave the hospital and Uncle Sean had come to take her.

"Where are your things?" he growled.

"I haven't got nothing" she replied tersely, conveying her message without elaboration. She was wearing a flowered gown the nurse gave her. If he hated her, well, the feeling was mutual.

"We'll have to go the mall first before we leave for Seattle." He had already started walking to his Porsche Panamera Sedan.

Chelsea stopped walking. "Seattle?"

Sean stopped and turned to her. "I haven't got time for questions. I have other things to attend to unlike you"

Chelsea was shaking her head. "No...n-no...my house." With her living in her uncle's house, only the worst was coming.

"The dang building was burnt down to nothing!" he yelled. "You're lucky you survived. Now get into the car!" he finished and dragged her towards the car, pulling the back-door open and throwing her in.

They got to the mall, and he bought her a box, a few clothes and shoes before they started their journey to Seattle. Chelsea was still in shock as she cuddled in the backseat hugging herself as thoughts went through her mind.

They were home by mid-morning as they got out of the car. Chelsea looked around the beautiful compound and elegantly built duplex. She had never seen anything like it, in her entire miserable life. Suddenly, a girl just about Chelsea's height and age ran out the front door.

"Daddy!!" she screamed as she spread her arms wide enveloping him in a tight bear hug.

"Oh, my baby girl!" Uncle Sean said as he released her. This must be Janice. Chelsea thought. She had beautiful, blue eyes. Janice flipped her bright red hair over her shoulders and tugged on her grey sweatshirt, regarding her cousin with disdain.

"Who's that?" she asked and made a face.

"Your damned cousin" her dad replied.

Chelsea ignored her uncle's comment and brought q her hand out for a handshake.

"Hi, I'm Chelsea Levin. It's nice to finally meet you" She put up her hundred-watt smile, trying to make a good impression.

Still with the disgusted look, "Damned is right," Janice said and turned to her father,

"Daddy, you won't believe what happened in school today," She was saying as she pulled him inside.

Chelsea's smile faded just as quickly as it came, and she brought her hand down to her side.

Apparently, there were no nice people around here. She thought, pulling the trunk open to carry her luggage and shutting it again.

Just as she stepped inside, she met her aunt Jeannie. Jeannie had the same red hair as her daughter, but it was always neatly styled about her ears. She wore little make-up, but her face was usually bright and cheery, especially because of the deep blue in her warm eyes and soft smile on her small lips. Only just a few inches than Chelsea was.

Immediately her aunt saw her, her eyes shone brightly, and her smile widened.

"Oh my!" She exclaimed. "How you've grown."

Chelsea did not particularly appreciate this comment from anyone. She tried to smile.

"Hi, Aunt Jeannie"

"And how are you doing Chelsea?"

"Fair enough" was her reply.

"Would you like a glass of warm milk, though?" She asked.