Fantasy - The Anthology

My Favourite Uncle

I was in my final year of school, forced by my dad to attend college, despite my own wants. He knew I didn't want to go. We'd had discussions about a gap year. We'd spoken about some time for me so I could go travelling, but to him that was out of the question. I would go to college, no questions asked and it would be to the very same college that he went to when he was my age. So one Friday night after he'd finished work he packed up our stuff and drove us about 200 miles away from where we lived, just so we could visit and have a taste for what was to come.

Although I was prepared for the trip I was dreading it. My father had arranged for us to stay with one of his oldest and dearest friends, who I haven't seen in a while. Him and my dad were best friends and had been for about 20 years, so to me he was Uncle Pete, the closest thing my dad and I had to family. But the last time I saw him he was acting so strange. I didn't know what I had done to cause it and I didn't know if it was something that was still bothering him, so I was anticipating the same awkward tension as the last time I was with him.

It was late when we arrived. Too late for dinner even though I was starved. I tucked behind my dad as he knocked on the door and kept my head down as uncle Pete opened it, pulling him in for a hug.

'Nice to see you, Pete.' My dad said, patting his back as they embraced.

'You too man, it's been a while.' He says, looking down at me over my father's shoulder.

'Hey there, kiddo.' He says, pulling away from my dad as he looked at me.

'It's Jess.' I frowned at him.

'Don't be rude.' My dad scolded me just as his phone went off.

He excused himself to answer it before coming back with a look of disappointment on his face.

'Who was that?' I ask.

'Work.' He says in one word.

'At this time of night?' I ask skeptical.

'Yeah, looks like we're gunna have to head back.'

'What?!' I snap.

I was so tired from being stuck in the car for hours already. I just wanted to lay down in a bed and sleep. Maybe even eat something before that.

'Sorry, Pete. I didn't mean to mess you around. Can we take a rain check?'

'Well, Jess is more than welcome to stay? It might be the last chance to look around before she starts?'

I turn to my dad and flash him a look that said no, but he ignored me, agreeing to the arrangement.

'If it's not too much trouble?' My dad asks.

'Of course not. I mean, I've already set up the spare room anyways.' Pete smiles at my dad.

'Great, that's settled then. I'm sorry I've got to leave so soon.'

'Dad...'

'I'll see you Sunday, honey pea.' And with that he's gone.

'So...' Pete starts to say. 'What do you want to do?'

'Sleep?' I say in one word, ignoring the hunger in my stomach.

'Follow me then kiddo.' He says as he steps into the house, leading the way to my room.

He turns to make conversation as he leads the way, asking me the sort of questions older people ask when they don't know what else to say.

'Looking forward to college?'

'No.' I answer honestly.

'Oh. Whys that?'

'I wanted to go travelling.' I tell him.