The Dark Secrets of Lake City

CHAPTER 2

Danny came running downstairs. He felt a bit anxious about the sudden news his mom had about his uncle. Even about his dad’s work. “Hope it's really good news. I don’t want to hear something that will disappoint me this afternoon.” He gasped while the staircase made him bounce a little bit as he rushed down to the sitting room.

As Danny arrived at the sitting room, he saw Meredith standing at the TV side with her hands crossed around her chest. Her face was full of early smiles as the evening sun shone on her like golden light. As soon as she saw him, she gasped.

“Guess what,” Meredith said with a long smile on her face. “Your uncle Stanley will be coming over tonight.” Immediately, Danny’s eyes drew wide open. “Mom. You mean like this night.”

“Is he coming here tonight?” Danny asked, looking very surprised. “Ehm. Yeah. I mean tonight. Your uncle is coming tonight.” She couldn’t stop smiling.

“What? I can't believe it, Mom. Uncle Stanley is coming over tonight. I just can't believe my ears.” Danny said, staring blankly at the wall behind Meredith. Both of his hands pressed against his face as he began rubbing it. After some seconds, he tucked his hands into his trouser pockets. “And that’s not all.” Meredith paused. “He’ll be coming over with someone. Someone special.” “With someone special,” Meredith repeated with a look on her face that made Danny wonder who that special person could be to his uncle. “Are you for real?” Danny asked. “But who could that be? Let me guess. His girlfriend?” Danny gasped with a bright look on his face. Immediately Meredith blinked her eyes, shaking her head like she was astonished. “Did you just say girlfriend?” She asked. Looking a bit surprised. Danny paused for some seconds. “Oum. Yeah. I said, "girlfriend.” He made a little nod to his head. “Did I say anything wrong?” Danny asked. “Hoh no. You didn’t. I was just surprised that was what you thought of.” She said with a soft voice. “Well, we’ll never know until he gets here.” Meredith shrugged, throwing a glance at the window side. She had just seen someone pass by from afar.

All of a sudden, a rattling noise was heard at the staircase as Jimmy’s footsteps could be heard while he climbed down the steps.

“What's the fuss all about?” Jimmy shrugged as he entered the sitting room.

“I just couldn't wait to hear why you’ve been calling us. Mom. I was busy with some stuff in my room when I heard your call.” He said walking towards them.

Jimmy had overheard Meredith from his room and was anxious about the good news she had for them. “You said you’ve got good news for us Mom. What's the good news.” “I’m curious,” Jimmy said with a small grin on his face.0

Meredith let out a deep breath at once. “It's about uncle Stanley. He'll be visiting tonight and he’ll be coming with someone special.” A voice said from the other end of the sitting room close to the dining side.

Danny, Jimmy and Meredith turned around at once to see who it was. “Who's that?” Danny asked. A bit stunned.

“It's me.” Said the voice. “Barb?” The three of them exclaimed at the same time. Though none of them could see anyone there.

Without wasting any time, Barbara stepped out of the corner where she had been. Unnoticed the whole time. “It's always me.” She said leaning on the wall to the passage between the sitting room and the dining.

“Have you been here all this time Barb?” Asked Meredith trying to adjust her clothes. “Barbara. I thought you went to the city library. So how the heck are you here?” Jimmy shrugged. Barbara threw a glance at the dining side trying to tell Jimmy she had come in from the back of the house then she looked at him.

“Has Dad found out that he is coming tonight? Or will he find out when he’s back from work?” Barbara asked. “That’s if he doesn’t come back in the night.” She gasped. Without wasting much time, she walked up to them.

“I’ve told him already. Wasn’t that the first thing I did when I found out? Huh.” Meredith said. “I don’t think your dad would be back home early today though.”

“But why did you bother coming back early Barb? You should have stayed longer. Possibly you could have found one of those books that would help you solve your problems. Because your problems don’t seem to have any solutions.” Jimmy gasped. All of a sudden, he and Danny began chuckling. Immediately Barabara elbowed Jimmy while she hit Danny with her clenched fists.

“Back to where we were.” Said Barbara trying to revive the previous topic. Jimmy turned to Meredith. “Mom, is it true what I’m hearing? Or is it just a joke?” Asked Jimmy while Barbara rolled her eyes in disgust.

“Yes indeed. And he's coming with someone special tonight according to him.” Meredith said with a face full of smiles as she looked at them one after the other. “Wow,” Jimmy gasped. Immediately, Jimmy began to gyrate.

“That's not all, I have something bigger for you guys.”

Immediately, the whole room was filled with some tension as the three of them wondered what the bigger news could be. “Can any of you guess it? Can’t you?” “Just try it’s easy. Something you’ve always wanted.” She said as she stared at them with a kind of smile, they couldn’t read through at all.

The three of them stared back at her in surprise not knowing what the big news was all about not even a single clue. “Ok since none of you can guess it...” She paused trying to let out a deep breath.

All of a sudden, Danny gasped. “I’ll be going to Stratford College. Right?”

Everyone stared at him like he didn’t know what he was saying. “Oum no. No. Not at all. You aren’t even close to Danny.” Meredith gasped, making a gesture at him with her fingers while she shook her head in disagreement.

“So, since none of you could guess it, I’ll tell you.”

“Your dad just got a raise at his workplace.” “And.” She threw glances at them. “We’ll be relocating to Lake City.” She gasped. As soon as they heard this, their mouths almost dropped. “Mom. Tell me you are joking. You mean that got a raise and we are going to Lake City? One of my dream cities?” Said Jimmy looking shocked. Danny was speechless. He wanted to show how excited he was about the big news, but he couldn’t find the words to do so. Barbara, on the other hand, looked struck. Not knowing what to say, she covered her mouth. A beautiful smile ran all over her face. Immediately, she gave her mom a tight hug. Embracing the moment.

The Kipling’s had always wanted to go to Lake City for a long time. They had heard many wonderful things about Lake City though it was originally Meredith’s place before she moved in with Henry Kipling. And she was one of the many people who spoke of the wonders of Lake City since she had lived there for a long time.

After they had finished discussing moving to Lake City and how wonderful an opportunity it was, Danny and Jimmy decided to go get some stuff for Meredith from a large store at Belmont Street before their uncle Stanley and Henry their dad arrived.