Family Is...

"Uncle Shawn?" I questioned, unable to believe the sight which was bestowed upon my eyes. A scrawny, middle-aged, man stood on my family's porch. His head was streaked red with mud and holes in his rags were prominent, showing his wrinkly skin. He slouched, something that I had never thought was possible from Uncle Shawn.

"Is that you? I questioned incredulously, my eyes were wide and my mouth hung open in shock. The haggard-looking man only weakly nodded, yet not proving his point that he was indeed Uncle Shawn.

"This man cannot be him! He must be an imposter! How can he ever be Uncle Shawn? It is just impossible! Uncle Shawn was family-orientated and confident. His wife and children would always be at his side..." My mind trailed off in a whirl.

"No, you aren't," Coldness crept into my storgid voice. With that, I slammed the metal door shut. As my hand clutched the door knob, I turned and leant against the door.  I slumped.  My knees unable to hold my height, I crumbled to the floor. He cannot be Uncle Shawn.  I was unwilling to postulate that. How can Uncle Shawn change so much in just a matter of five years? Just a few years back, he was holding up strong at his wife, Aunt Cristie's funeral. He promised me that he would stay positive and continue on with life. What ever happened to that positive Uncle?

The doorbell rang again. Its cheery music rang through the house, contrasting with my gloomy mood. Vibrations reverberated through my body as he knocked on the door repeatedly.

"Please, Shawna, let me in..." He pleaded. Silent tears fell from my eyes. I could not understand how this Uncle surfaced. But, he had the exact same warm light blue eyes, the exact same red-streaked hair, the exact same clothes! The torn shirt that he had been wearing was the exact same shirt he wore to his wife's funeral!

I slowly twisted my body, my hand crept to the doorknob and pulled it. Gradually, the sight of the bedraggled man was revealed. "Why are you here?" I tentatively asked as I fully took in his appearance. Immediately, my uncle refused to met my eyes, his head hung down as he said with a low voice, "I am sorry, can you lend me money?"

As his eyes implored me, I stood stock-still, shocked at him. Again, I slammed the door into his face with his revelation fresh in my mind.

To be continued...  Vote and comment, I want to hear criticism!