Chapter 4: Great Uncle Herman, Part 3

"That's okay," Seth replied, fumbling for his wallet in his back pocket. "I have it. You don't have to do that."

"I know I don't have to," Herman said, not even cracking a smile, and said nothing more while he waited for the change. A tall man with dark hair and dark completion-hinting of American Indian descent-gave Herman back his change.

"Thanks for the CD," Seth replied to Herman before taking it from the counter.

Herman nodded then walked on. Before long, Herman bought kerosene, matches, large bags of sugar and flour, salt and pepper, various vegetables, and many other items. Soon, both Seth's and Herman's arms were filled as they carried their purchases to the car.

"Why did you get this much stuff?" Seth asked as they walked toward the car, staggering under the weight and awkwardness of the load. After all, it was just going to be the two of them for the summer. Why they would need this much stuff was beyond Seth's reasoning.

"Because we need it," Herman replied matter of fact, and then expertly threw the large bag of flour over his shoulder. Seth was amazed. For his age, Herman was very strong. Seth was struggling with the bag of sugar as it was, but his uncle handled his load with ease. Seth just shook his head at his uncle's reply and followed as they walked toward the car.

"So, do you have a car yet?" Herman asked as they walked across the parking lot.

Seth laughed, thinking of his uncle's question. Herman clearly had no idea about his mother's financial situation, which was practically nonexistent. They were just barely able to make ends meet for a while now. A car for Seth would be a luxury, to say the least, and out of the question. "No. Not yet. But I plan to get one soon."

"Is that right?" Herman asked, chagrined.

"Yeah," Seth replied, noticing the disbelief in his uncle's voice. "When I get back home, I'm going to get a job and start saving for a car." Seth had been thinking of it for a while. He reasoned that it wouldn't take long to save the money once he had a job.

"You do have a license, don't you?"Herman asked, as a clap of thunder boomed in the darkening clouds.

"No, not yet," Seth replied honestly, although uncomfortably. "I'm planning to get one of those soon, too."

When they reached the car, Herman expertly threw open the back door and slung the flour sack into the backseat without much of a struggle. He opened the trunk of the car, took the items in Seth's hands, and placed them expertly inside. Seth was about to turn toward the passenger's side, but Herman threw him the keys. Seth looked at them in stunned disbelief.

"Why don't you drive us home?" Herman asked, loading the rest of their purchases into the trunk of the car.

Seth looked at the keys resting in the palm of his hand, and then asked, "You're kidding, right?"

"No, I'm not. I make no jokes when it concerns my car," Herman said, slipping into the driver's seat.

Seth smiled his half-grin. "I haven't had Driver's Ed yet."

Herman laughed, and then replied, "Neither have I."

They both laughed. "Come on, then. I'll teach you," Herman replied.

Seth grinned excitedly as he slid behind the wheel of the car. Then Herman gave Seth the fine points of driving, and soon Seth was handling the car on his own. They drove past tall, vast mountains protruding from the landscape, and lush forests in varying shades of green. The countryside really was lovely and Seth was just beginning to appreciate its beauty.

Then a soft mist fell, mixing with the oil on the road, creating a slick film over the smooth blacktop. Suddenly, a deer leapt from the verdant forest, bounding onto the road directly in front of the car. Seth turned the wheel sharply and slammed on his brakes. The car skidded, barreling toward a very old tree. Seth barely had enough time to take a breath, close his eyes, and brace himself for the impact, but there was nothing. Not a crash, bump, nor the sound of grinding or bending metal-the sounds usually accompanying an accident. Seth quickly opened his eyes and they were driving down the road as if nothing had happened. The deer was nowhere in sight. When Seth eyed his uncle, Herman looked as if nothing at all had been amiss.

"What happened?" Seth asked, stunned. "I thought we were going to hit a tree!" Then he remembered seeing Herman pushing his hand abruptly forward out of the corner of his eye right before he closed them. But it all happened so quick, Seth wasn't sure.

"Not today, Lad," Herman answered with a smile, not a bit ruffled by the experience. "Lesson number two: Keep watch on the side of the roadway, not just on the roadway itself. You had a good first lesson, but I think it's time for me to drive now."

Seth nodded in agreement, and then peeked at his uncle from the corner of his eye, his eyebrows furrowed. He realized that something freaky had just happened, but what? He knew that they were about to hit a tree, he just knew it, but what happened to prevent it? He looked at his unshaken uncle, who was no worse for wear. Surely, his uncle had nothing to do with it. Seth's hands were shaking as he pulled the car to the shoulder of the road, pushing the thought aside. He didn't want to try and figure it out right now.

Safely on the side of the road, Herman quickly and expertly took over driving. As they were driving, Seth noticed the architecture, reminiscent of a time long ago. They passed by a street filled with row houses, but most of the homes were free standing, Victorian in architecture, and some were almost colonial. The grass was lush, green, and beautiful. Watering the lawn back home in Georgia night and day for a month would not produce such green results. Driving along, Seth felt as if he had traveled back in time, surprised that places like this still existed.