Cambria

Chapter 2: Great Uncle Herman, Part 1

"Please fasten your seatbelts," the captain's voice bellowed professionally throughout the plane as Seth Roberts glanced out the window, watching the white billowy clouds, which resembled giant cotton balls. "We'll begin our descent momentarily."

Seth took a deep breath, brushing a lock of warm dark brown hair out of his coffee colored, almond shaped eyes. Seth was relieved that his sophomore year of high school was finally over. Finally, he would have his freedom for the summer, even if he knew that it would be short lived. For now he was on his way to St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada-a godforsaken land, as far as Seth was concerned-to spend the summer with his Great Uncle Herman, whom he hadn't seen since he was a child. He looked old then. I can imagine what he looks like now, Seth thought to himself. Old, crusty, probably in a wheel chair. But his mother had insisted that he go. Since he was now sixteen, it was time to become a man, whatever that meant. And Victoria, his mother, obviously thought that sending him to visit his Great Uncle Herman was the way to do it.

Become a man, Seth thought sarcastically. Seth's black T-shirt hinted at muscles beneath, but they were not yet well defined. But even though Seth rarely had trouble with the other boys at school, it was known that he could take care of himself in a fight.

Seth pulled an antique medallion from his pocket and turned it over in his fingertips. His mother had given it to him before he boarded the plane, instructing him to give it to his Great Uncle Herman. Seth took a deep breath as he studied the medallion. It had an ancient mariner's sailing ship on one side, tarnished and bronzed with age. Seth carefully turned it over and on the other side was written simply the word CAMBRIA, embossed with raise letters. Seth had no idea what it was, and when he asked his mother, she just said to ask his uncle, which confused Seth more than ever. But he quickly pushed the thought aside and shoved the medallion back into his pocket as the plane made its descent.

Seth took another deep breath.

He'd hoped to be able to spend the summer with Sam, his crazy best friend. And Seth had to admit that it would have been a lot more fun. Sam was totally cool. That was the only way to describe him, and rich with a vintage 1963 Corvette convertible-everything that Seth didn't have. But the money didn't matter to Seth. What he liked most about Sam was his spunk; his spirit. Sam actually wanted him to skip out on the trip to St. John's, opting for Vegas instead.

Seth laughed at the memory as a lady across the aisle gave him a dirty look.

But Seth's mother wanted him to visit his Uncle Herman, so he relented. Seth's mother, Victoria, was a single parent and worked her tail off as a cashier at the local Piggly Wiggly Grocery Store in Pooler, Georgia. Seth tried to help out around the house as much as possible, but felt guilty for not contributing more. So, instead of putting up a fight, he relented in an effort to make it easier on his mother, and now he was on his way to St. John's.

Seth sighed again.

But maybe I can get my driver's license this summer while I'm here, Seth thought, trying to think positively. Since Seth was now sixteen, he was eligible to get his driver's license, but his mother just didn't have the time to take him. She spent nearly every moment of her life working.

Suddenly, Seth felt guilty for leaving his mother to fend for herself back home. But she had insisted that he go. He wondered why it was so important to her that he go. Oh, she told him it was because he "wouldn't have any fun at home by himself" because "she would be working too hard," but Seth suspected there was something more. He just couldn't put his finger on it. So Seth bid farewell to his friends, Pooler, and the prospect of Vegas to go to St. John's and spend the summer with an uncle he barely knew.

"Can I get you anything before we land?" the flight attendant asked, interrupting his reverie.

"No, thank you," he replied politely, then turned to stare out the narrow airplane window and contemplated what he feared would be waiting for him when he landed. What would his Uncle Herman be like? Had he changed much since Seth last saw him? Would he have to spend his summer taking care of him because he was too old and feeble to care for himself? Seth shook his head, trying to free the images from his mind.

As the plane made its final descent, Seth decided to just make the best of the situation. Maybe Uncle Herman wasn't so bad after all. Not. But it would only be for a few months, anyway. What could happen in a few months? Who knows? It might be a lot of fun.

It sounded good in theory.

A few moments later, the plane made its gradual descent, touching down with repetitive tapings of the landing gear, and with an abrupt thud, the plane's full weight was safely on the tarmac, sending the plane racing across the runway, when the pilot suddenly threw the thrusters into reverse. A few moments later, the plane came to a complete stop.

Seth waited for the other passengers to leave, not in a rush to begin the boring summer with his Great Uncle Herman. He thought about the possibilities for a moment, then pulled his IPod from his pocket and pushed the ear buds into his ears. Seth was glad that even though he was going to a godforsaken land, at least he'd have his tunes.

Finally, Seth thought that there was no use prolonging the inevitable, so he retrieved his backpack from the overhead compartment and made his way off the plane and down the jetway to the gates, where he knew Herman would be waiting.