Uncle Joe

 POV-1 Trent

Saturday, June 22nd.

As I sat in the taxi, I couldn't help but dwell on the impending task of picking up my uncle from the airport. "I really didn't want to do this," I thought to myself, my frustration growing with every passing mile on the highway. Recollections of my previous encounters with my uncle flooded my mind. He had always proven to be a troublesome guest, and I couldn't shake the feeling that he would expect me to be at his beck and call during his stay.

I gritted my teeth as I remembered all the times my uncle had come to visit before. He was always demanding and difficult, expecting me to drop everything to cater to his every need. It was like having a spoiled child as a guest, and I wasn't looking forward to it.

The last time my uncle visited was two years ago, when I was thirteen. He tried to make me do all his chores, and whenever I protested, my mom would pat me on the back and tell me to just do what he said. It was always such a hassle having him around, and I was glad when he finally left.

My mom sometimes scolded him for being so demanding, telling him, 'He's my son, not your slave! Get your own help.'"

As the taxi entered the airport parking lot, I couldn't miss the sight of my uncle's unmistakable silhouette standing at the curb. He sported his customary, somewhat absurd Hawaiian shirt and oversized sunglasses, waving vigorously as our taxi approached. I sighed and rolled down the window.

"Uncle Joe!" I greeted him, putting on a facade of enthusiasm that belied my true feelings. "How was your flight?"

"Absolutely splendid, my boy!" he replied, giving my shoulder an enthusiastic pat. "But I can hardly wait to escape this stuffy airport and savor some fresh air!"

I helped him load his suitcase into the trunk, and then he climbed into the backseat. Reluctantly, I followed, taking the seat next to him.

"Where to, folks?" the cab driver asked, glancing at us in the rearview mirror.

"Stawward, please," my uncle said, smiling.

The cab driver pulled away from the curb and headed into the city. My uncle chattered away, but I just stared out the window, not really listening. I couldn't wait for this trip to be over.

As we neared home, my uncle turned to me. "So, how is your mother doing?" he asked, his voice full of concern.

I hesitated, not sure how to answer. My mother's health had been declining for a while now, and I didn't want to worry my uncle.

"She's... doing the best she can," I finally said, keeping my voice neutral.

My uncle's expression turned serious. "I'm so sorry to hear that, my boy," he said, putting a hand on my shoulder. "I know it must be hard for you."

As the taxi pulled up to our house, my uncle leaned forward and said, "Thanks, driver!" He handed the driver a tip, then got out of the cab without a second thought. I scrambled to get his suitcases out of the trunk, feeling annoyed that he didn't even offer to help. He had already headed inside, eaving me to lug his heavy luggage up the steps.

When I finally got to his room, my uncle was already sitting on the bed, looking relaxed. "Oh, there you are!" he said, looking up from his phone. "I'm kinda starving".

I reached for my phone and launched the pizza delivery app. As I pondered my craving, I settled on a classic choice: a mouthwatering pepperoni and mushroom pizza, my go-to favorite. With my selection made, I submitted the order and eagerly anticipated the confirmation screen's appearance.

With a sense of contentment, I exhaled audibly, taking comfort in knowing that out pizza was on its way. I retreated to my room, excitement building as I waited for the delicious delivery to arrive.

. . .

As the doorbell rang, Trent's thoughts immediately turned to his pizza. He rushed to the door, eager to get his hands on the cheesy goodness. But when he opened the door, he was surprised to see not a pizza delivery person, but his neighbor, Barbara. She was wearing a casual outfit with her hair pulled back in a ponytail.

"Hey there, neighbor!" she said with a smile. "I just wanted to see how you're doing.

Trent was caught off guard, but he managed to smile back. "Hi, Barbara.

Barbara's face was expressionless as she studied Trent's reaction. "You look a bit disappointed to see me," she said, her tone neutral. Just then, they heard a voice calling out from inside the house. "Is that the pizza?!" Uncle Joe's high-pitched voice rang out.

Trent was caught off guard, but he quickly composed himself. "Oh, um, yes, that's probably the pizza," he stammered. He turned to Barbara and gave her a sheepish smile. "Sorry, I was just expecting someone else."

Barbara's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Your uncle is here? Why didn't you tell me?" she asked, a hint of hurt in her voice. "I'm sorry, I just didn't think it was that important," Trent said, feeling a bit guilty. "He heard about mom's accident and decided to come stay with me for a while. I'm sorry I didn't tell you."

"It's okay," Barbara said, her tone softening. "I'm just happy to know you're not alone right now.

Just as they were talking, they heard the doorbell ring again. "Pizza delivery!" a voice called out.

Trent quickly hurried to the door, eager to get his hands on the pizza. As he signed for the delivery, the pizza man took off his cap and wiped the sweat from his brow. "Man, it's hot out there," he said, breathing heavily. "You must be starving."

Trent gave him a wry smile. "I am, actually. Thanks for the pizza!"

The delivery man nodded and headed back to his car.

"Uncle Joe, the pizza is here!" Trent called out excitedly.

Uncle Joe came bounding down the stairs, a huge grin on his face. "Pizza, eh? It's time to dig in!" he exclaimed. He then spotted Barbara, who was still standing in the living room. "Barbara!" he exclaimed, looking slightly shocked. "You've grown up to be such a lovely young woman!"

Barbara smiled, a little embarrassed. "Thanks, Uncle Joe," she said. "It's good to see you again."

Uncle Joe then turned to Trent and said, "Now, why don't you go and unpack my things, my boy?"

Trent was about to protest, but his stomach rumbled loudly, interrupting him. "But Uncle Joe, I'm starving!" he said.

Uncle Joe simply smiled and started eating his pizza, ignoring Trent's protests. Defeated, Trent went upstairs to unpack his things. Barbara, sensing his disappointment, followed him up the stairs.

"Don't worry, you'll get your pizza soon enough," she said, trying to cheer him up.

As Trent trudged up the stairs, he grumbled to Barbara, "Uncle Joe is so annoying. He's always ordering me around and never listens to me. I can't believe I have to live with him for a whole week or more!"

Barbara nodded sympathetically. "I know, he can be a bit much sometimes," she said. "But try to be patient with him. He's just trying to help out."

Trent sighed. "I know, but it's still frustrating," he said. "It's like he doesn't even see me as a person, just a servant."

"Okay, where should we put Uncle Joe's clothes?" Barbara asked, holding up a pile of Uncle Joe's shirts.

"I think the dresser over there should work," Trent said, pointing to a large chest of drawers in the corner of the room.

They began sorting the clothes into piles by type, placing shirts in one drawer, pants in another, and so on. As they worked, they continued chatting.

Finally, the unpacking was done. "Whew, that was a lot of work," Trent said, collapsing onto his bed.

"Thanks Barbara," Trent said. "You're welcome, Trent," Barbara said, a slight blush rising to her cheeks. "I'm glad I could help."

Trent smiled, pleased to have made her feel appreciated. "I don't know what I would have done without you," he said. "You're a lifesaver."

"It's no big deal," Barbara said, still blushing. "I'm just happy to be of service."

They smiled at each other, enjoying the easy camaraderie that had developed between them.

Barbara spotted a small, tattered book lying on the floor, forgotten among the other items in the room. She picked it up and studied it curiously. "We must have missed packing this," she said, tapping Trent on the shoulder with the book.

"What is it?" Trent asked, turning to look at what she was holding.

"It looks like a diary," Barbara replied, flipping through the pages. "It might be Uncle Joe's."

Trent gently accepted the book from her, carefully proceeding to place it on the table. However, he tripped over a loose rug and fell to the ground, causing the book to topple and its pages to scatter in the air, the sound of papers rustling as they scattered.

Barbara quickly rushed to his side, extending her hand to help gather the scattered papers. Trent's gaze landed on a sheet marked with his father's name. With a growing sense of urgency, he seized the paper, stood up, and a profound seriousness etched itself onto his face. His eyes moved intently over the contents, and an audible gasp of fear slipped from his lips as he grappled with the shocking revelation. The room fell into an eerie silence as Trent's realization took hold, and a palpable, foreboding atmosphere descended upon the scene.