An August Visitor

After getting my result, I looked around for Ben but I didn't see him, instead his elder sister came to collect his result. I wanted to see him for the last time, he was going to a school in another state and his family were likely to move.

Katie, Fred, the twins and I all went home together. Katie teased me saying that she thought I was going to leave her for Mira when she saw me hugging her. I had to tell her that Mira apologised to me and we reconciled.

Katie acted as if she was jealous that I hugged Mira. She was like that at times but I am very happy that she is my friend, my biggest supporter and fan, and tolerated all my excesses very well.

                           ****************

The long-awaited holiday began, Katie and her siblings went on a holiday to visit their uncle living in another town. Fred and I had nowhere to go to for the holiday.

We became bored of staying at home alone that sometimes we would go to the mini-mart with our dad. I went to the hospital with mom on certain days but it was rare because hospitals aren't fun.

One day as we ate dinner, Dad announced that we will be having a guest over the next day.

"Dad, who's this guest?" Fred asked him.

"He is an August visitor" Dad replied.

"Anyways, you will get to know him when he comes over tomorrow."

Mom giggled at Dad's reply. My parents were being secretive and I didn't like it. They refused to tell us about the person coming to visit us. Fred and I gave up and decided to wait to see the August visitor for ourselves.

                                    ***********

The next day, Fred and I were alone at home watching a movie when we heard a knock on the door.

I stood up and went to see who was at the door.

"Who's there?" I asked.

"It's me, the August visitor" A male voice replied.

I hesitated and didn't open the door immediately because I heard a male voice.

"Elsie, open the door" The voice came again.

I was surprised as to how the person knew my name and then I decided to open the door.

"Uncle Sam!" I shouted as I opened the door.

I hugged him and called out to Fred, "Uncle Sam is here"

Fred rushed to him and hugged him tightly and Uncle Sam carried him up.

"Fred, you've grown so big that I can barely carry you now." Uncle Sam teased him.

I carried his luggage and we all moved to the sitting room.

"Uncle Sam, I have missed you," Fred said.

"Really? I have missed you guys too."

"We have a lot to catch up on later," Uncle Sam said.

Uncle Sam was Dad's younger brother. He used to visit us frequently when he was in the University but since he got a job and moved to another state, he rarely visits us. It has been two years since we last saw him, although we do speak on the phone with him.

No wonder my parents called him an August Visitor.

I took his luggage to the guest room and did a little bit of cleaning. Mom had asked me to clean the room yesterday and I grudgingly agreed to do it. I ended up doing a sloppy work in the room.

I finished up in the room and went downstairs to inform Uncle Sam that his room was ready, then I made lunch which we all ate.

"Uncle Sam, you missed my graduation," I said to him

We had all finished eating and we were watching a movie.

"Yes, I know and I apologise. I couldn't make it due to some issues at work. I even had to take leave to spend some time with you guys." He explained.

"Ok!" I chuckled. "You are forgiven."

Uncle Sam smiled and said to me, "It's not like you have a choice."

"I heard that you packed all the awards at your graduation."

"Can I see them?" He requested.

I went upstairs and came down with the awards and gifts.

Uncle Sam went through them with a smile on his face and I felt proud of myself.

"What's this dictionary for?" He asked me.

"Ooh!, that's the gift for all graduands," I explained.

"A dictionary!" He exclaimed.

"Can't Pine Crest do any better?"

"Anyways, it's good. It will be of great help to you in your studies." He added.

"Uncle, you seem disappointed with the gift." I chirped in.

"No, not at all" He refuted.

"It's just that I know that your school has been giving dictionaries to graduands for many years now that it seems like a custom."

"Ooh! I like it, besides I'll be making use of it in school." I commented.

"You are very excited about high school."

"Only if you knew" He sighed as he shocked his head.

"What don't I know about high school?" I asked him curiously.

"A whole lot. I will tell you about it after dinner." He said.

"Why not now?" I complained.

"Stories become more interesting when you wait for them." He laughed at me.

I had to swallow my curiosity and wait for dinner time.

We talked about so many random things but I didn't say anything about the scholarship or Elite Academy.

Mom and Dad came back home very late that day as they had something urgent to attend to, they called to tell us to go ahead and have dinner without them.