The Substitute Teacher (On Hold)

Chapter 4

                                                            Chapter 4

   "JACK!" Aunt Lola looked like she was about to murder someone.

Given that my Uncle Jack had just walked in, it was very possible. They have never gotten along, and they had a huge fight not long after my mother's supposed death. I have no clue what it was about, but they hadn't spoken since. Until now.

Unfazed by my furious aunt, he smiled at our small gathering.

"Hi Gloria, hi Lolly Pop! Long time no see!"

Still fuming, Aunt Lola stormed over to him. "What are you doing here? And do NOT call me Lolly Pop!"

Uncle Jack pouted, showing the extent of his maturity. "Lolly Pop, I haven't seen you in forever! Why are you acting like this, especially since our sister has just woken up?"

   She opened her mouth to retort but his words suddenly registered.

"Wait just one minute." Aunt Lola advanced, and Uncle Jack took a huge step backwards.

"You knew? You knew Gloria wasn't dead? Fifteen years and never once did it occur to you that you should tell the rest of her family, llike her sister? Or her own daughter?"

He shook his head violently. "No, Lolly Pop, it wasn't like that!"

Aunt Lola stopped her tirade, giving him time to elaborate. Uncle Jack serreptitiously glanced at my dad, but my aunt was very observant. She pointed an accusing finger at my father.

"Charlie, explain!"

He held his hands up in surprise. "Lola, why would you think I know anything about how he knows?"

She gave him a look. "Both of you are the only family so far that knew Gloria was in a coma! How is that not suspicious?"

   My gaze swept across the room and happened to land on the two policemen standing awkwardly in the middle of this confrontation. Officer Leopold's eyes moved back and forth between Aunt Lola and Uncle Jack while Randall shifted his weight from foot to foot.

I edged closer to them and stared at the floor. I whispered, "Sorry about this. My family is pretty dramatic."

Randall gave me a sympathetic half-smile.

"Looks like it. I hate to do this, but would you mind getting everyone calmed down? At least enough so I can tell them the precautions we need to take."

   I nodded and made a face. "Wish me luck."

I tuned back in to the argument so I could find a somewhat appropriate time to butt in. Aunt Lola was still goading my dad while Uncle Jack was making up excuses. I sighed. I knew this year would be bad.

Inconspicuously I took out my cell phone. I know that you're not supposed to have them on in hospitals due to medical reasons, but cut me some slack! I think this counts as a definite emergency.

   I quickly navigated to my sounds and searched for a specific one. My volume on as loud as it could be, I played it.

"Baby, baby, baby oh! Like baby, baby, baby no!"

Justin Bieber's voice filled the room and I felt all heads turn to me. Over the second verse, I heard Aunt Lola yell, "Shut that infernal music off!"

I pressed the stop button and slid my phone back into my pocket. I glanced at Randall and Officer Leopold, who were both making valiant efforts to try and stop their laughter. I had to admit, when it comes to family reunions, we tended to resemble a soap opera. Or a mental institution.