C6 SECRET WOUNDS - BOOK 1

Meticulously, Uncle Tomas started slicing the huge cantaloupe and arranged the pieces in a circular arrangement on the plate. Suzie was surprised. Somehow she had expected him to cut the fruit into chunks and just place them on the plate in any order. Uncle Tomas was full of surprises, at least for her.

She watched as her uncle bite into a big slice, the juice from the fruit running down his beard.

His beard and whiskers were well trimmed, running straight on both sides of his face. Ignoring the liquid on his face, he asked between bites. ‘Where is, ya brother?’

‘He is still asleep, uncle.’ Suzie replied.

Uncle Tomas then glanced at Pa who was still leaning on the window sill facing outdoors, and addressed him.

‘What is up ya arse this morning? Did ya wake up at the wrong side of the bed huh?’

‘Watch your language, Tomas. There are children in the house,’ Pa answered sourly.

‘Sorry,’ Uncle mouthed at Ma, glancing sheepishly at Suzie. Acting as if she had not heard their conversation, Suzie took the bowl of cucumber salad that Ma had just finished preparing, and placed it on the table. The sweet smell of cocoa tea enveloped the kitchen. Ma made the best cocoa tea. The smell of cinnamon and spice wafted through the room. Suzie inhaled the sweet scent. Cocoa was her favorite tea, especially when it was served with hot bakes or dumplings.

‘Five more minutes for the tea.’ Ma said as she pulled out the much used frying pan and started working on the eggs.

‘Some tomatoes will go nice with the cucumber, Abs,’ Uncle said.

Without waiting for Ma’s response, Suzie took three of the ripest tomatoes, washed and started slicing them. When she was done, she neatly spread them alongside the cucumber plate.

‘Go get your brother, Suzie. Breakfast is ready,’ her mother said.

Josh squealed when he saw uncle and ran towards him.

‘I see dat ya have grown into a big boy. It looks like an additional foot from de last time I was dere. I hope ya behavin’ and not givin’ Ma and Pa too much trouble,’ he continued.

‘No. I have been a good boy.’ Josh replied, smiling toothlessly up at him.

‘Good to hear, buddy. That’s good to hear. It is a good thing you did not take by your Uncle Tomas. Misunderstanding his response, Josh replied, ‘I love you, Uncle Tomas.’

Laughing heartily at the innocent response, Uncle Tomas lifted him high in the air and swung in a circle. Josh squealed with delight. ‘Uncle loves you too buddy,’ he said, placing Josh back on his feet. He then dug into his pocket and pulled out two small packets, handing one to Josh and one to Suzie.

Suzie tore her packet, revealing a dainty white pair of sandals.

‘That is pretty. Thank you Uncle Tomas,’ she said, giving him a hug. Josh had also managed to open his. He held up a tiny red car for everyone to inspect. Abigale turned and said. ‘That was quite generous of you Tomas. You really should not trouble yourself with the children. I hope you did not spend all you had on those sandals for Suzie.

Waving a hand at Abigale he said. ‘Nah. Dat is nuthing. I hardly see my niece and nephew, so when I visit I have to get dem someting which lasts.’

Finally breakfast was ready. When everyone was seated, Ma said grace and everyone dug in.

Now and again Suzie caught Uncle Tomas’s eyes darting at Pa, and she wondered what was going on. Pa did not usually act so standoffishly towards his brother. Pa had watched from a distance as they had mingled and laughed, and thanked their uncle for the gifts, but he had not uttered a word.

Suzie wondered if her Uncle had paid the money that he owed Pa. Suzie remembered overhearing a conversation between her parents a few months ago. From the bits and pieces of information she had overheard, it sounded like Uncle Tomas was in some sort of trouble and Pa had to assist him financially. Pa took all his savings to clear Uncle’s Tomas debt on the promise that her uncle would repay. In fact, he had promised to bring the money in a month’s time. Well today marked almost three months since her uncle’s last visit. Suzie shook her head. She thought that Pa did have a right to be incensed. She wondered how Uncle Tomas would sneak his way out of this one, this time.