Outburst

Chapter 21 - Apologies

So, this is a 'brand new day', eh?

I had never felt such an easy feeling since my Dad left me. Living with an estranged uncle, especially the 'Luke Mercer type', made me feel out of place. I had to leave the world I had been for 16 years and went into a new world that actually didn't fit me at all.

But the heart-to-heart conversation I had with my uncle last night cleared out my burdens. I no longer felt isolated like I used to feel. When I met my uncle downstairs, he did something he'd almost never done before—smiling. Well, still, it was a 'Luke Mercer smile', which was basically just him raising both edges of his lips almost unnoticeably.

I responded with an even wider smile. I seriously couldn't hide my emotion, especially if Uncle Luke finally turned to be the uncle I really wanted—not only caring, but also wanting to open his mind to me.

"Why weren't you having breakfast?" I asked. It was only me and Grant in the dining room, which had happened almost every day since the day Margot died. Seeing him in a bright mood, I encouraged myself to ask him that. Before last night, I didn't even dare to look him in the eyes for more than 3 seconds.

"I will have one at the office," he replied. I was heading to the car when he stopped me. "Callie, can you do me a favor?"

I turned around. "Yeah, sure."

He handed me a red file folder. "I need you to give this to Diana Easton."

My fingers were suddenly unmoved when grabbing the folder. "Easton...?"

"Yes, Phil Easton's wife," he said. "This is his Foxcrate folder that he left for me. I don't need this anymore, so I'm thinking to return it."

Of course he didn't need this because first, his so-called deal with Phil Easton was broken, and second, the man died.

"You can just ask Grant for that. Well, I mean..." Duh. I felt like rolling my eyes, but Uncle Luke was really serious about this.

"I'm asking you. Grant will take you to their house," he said while heading to the front door.

***

Grant's gentle driving almost made me fall asleep in the car. The school was tough today. Yesterday I missed two quizzes and I had to take them today if I didn't want to lose two important grades. Emma did warn me about it, but I didn't take such action to study because my head was full of Uncle Luke.

"Do you have any idea why Uncle Luke wanted me to deliver this to Mrs. Easton?" I broke the silence in the car. After school, I saw Grant's car was already on his favorite parking spot. While I was glad he wouldn't be late anymore, I also felt intimidated because this meant we were back to the normal phase.

"I don't know," he answered. "But I know he knew that Chad was one of the witnesses who claimed to see him and Mr. Easton."

"We're not talking about that again," I sighed. "He wants me to stay off, and I will."

Hearing that, Grant just chuckled sarcastically. "Of course you will."

We arrived at a brown house with a spaced front yard. But still, I never saw a house with a front yard as big as my uncle's. I walked to the door with my mind full of doubt. Chad didn't know I was coming here. What if he didn't like it? What if he kicked me out?

With those many questions quarrelling in my brain, I decided to ring the bell. I'm not here to see Chad. I'm here to give this to Mrs. Easton and off I go.

A young boy opened the door—the face I knew as Toby Easton, Chad's younger brother. He looked up to me and his mouth started to move. "Can I help you?"