Chapter II: The Arrival
My uncle Vic called and said he would be here the next day. I only remember bits and pieces of him being around, but I remember what he looks like. He was always very nice to me, but mum and dad would not let us spend hardly anytime with each other.
I remember he left about three years ago and I had not really heard too much from him or about him since. He called on my 14th birthday and that was the last time I spoke to him, until a few months ago. I am not sure why I am here or why he chose these surroundings, but I guess I will find out tomorrow. The next morning, after a very restless night, I heard a car and ran out the door.
I welcomed him to our new, but somewhat run down home and then got a sudden panic attack. Not sure what came over me, maybe seeing someone that I had not seen for so long or maybe I was just tired from no sleep.
We went into the house and I ask "so Uncle Vic, how have you been and what have you been doing?" He said, "I haven't done too bad, but do me a favor, don't call me Uncle anymore." I kind of looked at him funny, I suppose and he continued, "Look, I am not your uncle, I am your brother, or adopted brother, as it may."
"Excuse me, ok, this is just too much. Why would everyone lie to me about this?"
Victor, "After I was adopted, I was sort of a black sheep of the family. I stayed out late, skipped school, etc. Mom and dad tried doing the same thing to me as they did to you, as far as cleaning and cooking, but I wanted no part of it, so I left at 14, you were only 10 and I vowed one day, I would come and get you so you would not have to endure the misery of a poor homelife. I swear, this all true."
After I collected my thoughts and tried to make sense of all of this, I asked him, so now what. He explained that he had moved to Bridgeport, a big fancy city, with lights and clubs. Ok, now what is a club, I wondered. He said he didn't make much money, but that he had met this man, Mr. Payne and they had sort of become friends. Then Uncle Vic, I mean, Victor, went on to say that Mr. Payne had a project for us to undertake, if we wanted and that was to take in orphaned children, give them a good home and make sure they are happy and then send them out into the world.
Ok, this just didn't make sense, but I actually liked the idea, but what about money? We have no money. Victor said, well, he liked to do things around the house and he could stay here while I got a job, if I wanted. I always had liked to cook, I just did not tell anyone, so I suppose I could get a job at the diner. So we chatted some more and off I went. I was fortunate and got hired at the diner and went straight to the library and started reading cookbooks.
Victor stayed home and kind of took stock in what we might need for our first orphan.
So, this is what it is all about. I will make sure that any child we adopt, will have a good home and I will try to instill values of how to treat people and to be happy, like I never was, but I am actually starting to feel pretty good about myself and what we are doing. We will survive!!!
