Meadows Island

Chapter 2

I stared out through the passenger side window of my Uncle's truck as he drove us through his neighborhood. I couldn't help but notice how oddly perfect all of the houses looked. They were all enormous homes with perfect lawns. It kind of gave off a strange, uptight vibe that I didn't find welcoming in the slightest sense.

This whole situation made me feel uncomfortable. I was pretty much moving into a strangers home that consisted of a 40 year old man and his two adult sons.

"You eat already?" My Uncle asked in his low husky voice. I felt his dark blue eyes look at me for a brief second before he returned them back to the road.

I shrugged my shoulders and paused for a couple of seconds before answering. "I'm not hungry" I mumbled.

I hadn't seen my Uncle since my mother and father's funeral, ten years ago. He was 30 at the time. He hadn't seemed to age much from when I'd last seen him. He still looked to be the same tall, athletic, tan skinned man I remembered seeing at the funeral. The only difference was that he had grown a beard out. It suited him well.

"You start school tomorrow." He spoke. "You'll need to unpack your belongings tonight and get to bed at a decent time. Chris will be dropping you off at school in the morning." I could hear the tightness in his voice. He wasn't at all happy after hearing the trouble I had caused for my Aunt Carol.

"Yes, Sir." I spoke sarcastically in a low tone.

I noticed him grip the steering wheel tightly before deciding to ignore my sarcastic response.

My Uncle Ryan had two sons, Chris and Steve. Chris was 19 and Steve had just turned 21. They both lived at home with my Uncle. Their mother, my Aunt Grace, had passed away after giving birth to my cousin Chris. My Uncle never remarried after that.

After 30 minutes of dead silence, we'd finally arrived at my Uncle's house. He pulled into the empty driveway and parked his black, four door, Chevy Silverado.

"One thing before you get out." My Uncle turned to look at me, a serious tone playing in his voice. I couldn't help but stare at the deep scar that sat above his right eye, a scar that hadn't been there the last time I'd seen him.

He squinted his eyes a bit as if he were thinking of how to say what he wanted to say. "I know this is strange for you. It's strange for all of us really." He paused for a brief second before continuing. "Your father was not only my brother, but a best friend to me as well. I know he wouldn't be happy to know about the stunts you pulled while living with Carol. But I know he would hate to hear if we gave up on you. You're getting a second chance here with us. You're family and we're going to treat you as such. Whatever you need, your cousins and I are here for you."He said- his voice low and husky as always.

I stared at him briefly before nodding my head. "Thanks.." I whispered. I sighed before turning to open the passenger side door of the truck.

As I stepped out of the truck, I felt the brisk wind hit my cheeks. I drew in a deep breath and inhaled the fresh pine scent. The Island was covered in trees.

I examined the enormous house that I'd be forced to call home for the next few years. The exterior was covered in a combination of brick and stone. The front lawn was as flawlessly green as the other lawns in the neighborhood.

My Uncle grabbed my luggage bags and made his way up to the front door of the house, I followed behind him.

"You can hang your coat there." He pointed at the coat rack that stood at the entrance of the house.

I slid my coat off and hung it on the rack.

I had forgotten just how wealthy my Uncle Ryan was. His home was huge and nothing short of beautiful.

He gave me a quick tour of the house before dropping my bags off in my new room.

"You can go unpack your things if you'd like." He pulled his phone out from his back pocket and glanced at the time. "Just be down here by 7 for dinner." I nodded my head 'Ok' before making my way to my new bedroom.

From what I'd heard, my Uncle had never been a man of many words. The very few times that he did come visit my Dad, he'd probably spoken to me a total of 3 times. I remember being scared to talk to him. He always had an angry look on his face. But sooner or later I learned that that was just his personality. He was a serious, reserved man, which I didn't mind much at all.

That night we ended up having Lasagna for dinner. It was a pretty uneventful dinner, minus the small meet and greet with my cousins. I felt out of place- just like when I had first moved in with my Aunt Carol. Hopefully the feeling would pass soon enough..