Part 4

"Those people who killed your parents want to kill you too. And they never leave a job unfinished. If you go home, you'll be dead. But right now, you have a job to do: staying alive. You don't have time to grieve! Stuff it all away, and move on with your life!" David stopped shouting, and the room fell painfully silent for the second time that morning. David turned and began throwing things haphazardly in his bag, zipped it up, and practically stalked out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

Kelsie tried to think of something to say that wouldn't make the situation any worse, but to no avail. So instead, she did what she always did--packed up their things and got ready to leave.

"Get ready to go," she said at last, hardly looking at Jacob and Nicole, who hadn't moved an inch.

'Why?" Nicole asked.

"Because we'll be leaving soon. David'll be back in a few minutes; he won't be mad for long. But he's right you know. The best thing you can do is pull yourself together, and keep moving with your life. It's time to grow up a little, whether you like it or not. It gets easier. I promise."

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David's face seemed to have settled permanently into a scowl as he walked out to the car, and the sight that greeted him made it deepen even further. A tall blonde in heels and a red blazer stood by the driver side door of his car. She reached toward the handle just as David shouted, "Hey!"

She jerked her hand away and looked up at David.

"Oh!" her voice was soft and sweet, with a British accent. "Is this your car?"

"Yes," David all but growled.

"It's a beauty," she replied, "I've always been partial to the sixties."

"Great. Leave my car alone," The day was definitely off to a bad start.

"Well! Nice to see there are such pleasant people in the world. Cheerio!" David watched until she was out of sight, then lovingly patted the hood of his car.

"It's okay, baby," he whispered. He turned with a last look around the lot and went back inside.

"We should go to Uncle Joe's," Kelsie said when he came back in.

"Yeah. We need to talk to him."

"Also pancakes," Kelsie's voice was muffled as she pulled her hoodie on.

"Let's go," David addressed Jacob and Nicole, and then followed Kelsie out the door. Back in the parking lot, David looked around suspiciously.

"What is your problem?" Kelsie asked.

"Some British chick was hanging around my car," he grumbled.

"Was she hot?" Jacob asked as he got in. David pointedly ignored the question.

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Uncle Joe and Aunt May lived in a big, old house out in the plains of southern Illinois. Some of Kelsie's favorite memories were at that house. It only took about an hour to get there from where they were, but it would feel longer because of all the winding country highways they had to use. But to Kelsie, driving the old roads through miles and miles of corn always brought the sense of coming home, the remembered warmth of a loving embrace, of peace and comfort. She smiled.

The first half of the trip had been quiet. Jacob was alseep, Nicole was reading, and Kelsie had given up messing with the radio dial; her favorite method of annoying her brother. So it came as a great disappointment to David when Jacob broke the silence with, "What are you listening to?!"

"Classic rock, man! You know, Bon Jovi, Queen, Kansas?"

"That stuff's awful! It's just a bunch of electric guitar with drums and guys with scratchy voices!" Kelsie smirked as she listened. She knew exactly how this would go.

"You are insulting some of the greatest musicians who ever lived! How can you say that?"

"You obviously have never listened to real music before," Jacob replied.

"You're just a kid, so I'll give you some grace, but these men deserve respect!" As he said this, they turned on to a long dirt road.

"Where are we?" Jacob asked.

"Almost to our Uncle Joe and Aunt May's. And pancakes," Kelsie replied.

A few minutes later, they pulled up to the old farmhouse, and got out of the car. An older man in blue jeans and plaid stepped outside.

"Hey Uncle Joe!" Kelsie called.

"It's been awhile," he replied as they came up the steps, "These the kids you picked up?"

"Yep," David answered, "Jacob and Nicole,"

"You can just call me Uncle Joe," he said with a smile.

"Don't you stand there all morning yappin'! Bring those kids in so they can get something to eat," a voice called from inside.

"You heard her," Uncle Joe said, as he followed them inside. The cheery kitchen smelled of pancakes. Aunt May immediately welcomed Jacob and Nicole, and sat them at the kitchen table. The older two were about to follow, but Uncle Joe stopped them.

"How long are you planning on stayin'?" he asked.

"Not long. Just a day or two. Why?" David replied.

"Because I've got a job for you."