When I'm with you

Chapter 3

After I got out of the pool I immediately went to my room. I needed to get ready for our visitors so I took a bath and got dressed. I wore black shorts and a floral tank top. Then I put on mascara and a bit of make-up. I was about to leave my room when I heard my mom telling me that our visitors had already arrived. I went downstairs and made my way to the living room. I saw a couple and a teenage guy sitting on the couch together with my parents. They seemed to finally notice me so they asked me to come near them.

"This is Anne, my daughter. Anne these are Mike, Michelle and Chad." Dad introduced me to them.

"Nice to meet you."

All of a sudden, Mr. Clark hugged me. Why did he hug me?

"It's been a long time, Anne. I finally got to see you. You grew up so fine and beautiful."

Wait! Does he know me? Since when? Why don't I know him?

Mr. Clark saw my confused face so he explained himself.

"You don't seem to remember me. That's sad. I'm your Uncle Mike. We used to visit each other every summer with my son Gab, your childhood friend. I was the one who trained you to swim. Remember?"

Uncle Mike? Trainor? Swimming? Ah! I finally remembered.

"Uncle Mike! I'm sorry I didn't recognize you immediately. It's just that it has been a long time since I saw you!" With my excitement I gave him a hug. Then I looked at the woman and the teenage boy beside him.

"Let me properly introduce them to you. Anne,  this is Michelle, my wife and this is Chad, her son. They're my new family now."

After he introduced them we shook hands. But it seems like someone's missing. I scanned the room to search for the person I was looking for but no one else was there.

"Gab isn't here yet. He still has a lot of things to do in Canada but he'll be here next month." Uncle Mike continued. He probably noticed that I was looking for someone.

I wonder what he looks like now. Did he change a lot? Does he still remember me? I want to see him again.

We went to the dining room and ate lunch. It has also been such a long time since we had visitors aside from my friends.

After that, Mom asked me to take Chad for a tour around the house while they continued their talk in the living room.

Chad and I went to the garden. I didn't know why but my feet unconsciously brought us there.

"So you're Gab's childhood friend. Nice to meet you." Chad said.

"Um, Yes.."

"Was he always that silent and timid?"

Silent and timid? The Gab I knew was talkative and cheerful, but he started keeping to himself after Aunt Anne's death.

"He used to talk a lot but after, you know, his mom's death he always wanted to be alone. I thought he'd change if they moved out.."

"So he used to talk a lot. Tell me more about him."

"But aren't you his sibling? And you live in the same house so you should know him better than me."

"Like what I told you, he's silent. He doesn't talk to me or Mom or Mike. He only talks to us if he has important to say or ask."

So he's still not talking to anyone. Is he still blaming himself? Argh! I really want to see him now. I'll make sure to scold him.

Chad begged me to tell him more about Gab so I did. I told him everything: how we always played in their garden, teased each other etc. I also told him that Gab was the one who encouraged me to swim. He seemed to be satisfied with what I told him. I wondered why he was interested about Gab.