Chapter 1: Uncle Malcolm

Of course I was devastated by the passing of my parents. They were always in my corner, supporting me and encouraging me in whatever I asked and even, at times, when I didn’t. Being a single female in my mid 20’s out on my own was hard enough, but they always made sure I was never in need. Now, I needed to put my uncle’s needs ahead of my own. It was the least I could do in remembrance of my parent’s last wishes.

My living situation in Pineapple Park had taken a dark turn. In my mind, it was time for a change. The incident with the Smiths and my distrust of Barbie - the shallow sales manager, was the first and last straw. All the signs were there, but without the passing of my parents and the need to take care of my aging disabled uncle, there’s no telling how long it would’ve taken me to pack my bags and leave. Having said all that, imagine my surprise when I received the first of many emails from the owner of the trailer park, which I will explain at some point.

My Uncle Malcolm was always a very friendly and outgoing person, even though he was blind since birth and confined to a wheelchair since he was 19 years old. My mother had always looked out for him. After his wife’s death 5 years ago, he moved in with my parents. He always dressed in style with a three piece suit, nice socks and shoes, and a Fedora hat. He had the ability to make people laugh and make fun of himself. I remember one time we were having a family reunion and we were talking about the potential locations. We liked the outdoors and had decided to have the event at the state park near their house which was partially located on the beach. We were discussing the amount of seating and tables we would need for the entire family. I remember he raised his hand as if to ask a question.

“Is this a bring your own chair kind of party?” he asked with a straight face, never flinching. We all looked at each other wondering what he meant. Then he busted out laughing and we got his joke, being in a wheelchair, and we couldn’t help but laugh along with him. He was like that, always hamming it up to lighten the mood. That was before I got to know him up close and very personal.

Once I had moved out of my trailer and into their house, everything was great at first. I had a house with a pool, plenty of money, an extra vehicle that actually worked, stocks and bonds. I had pretty much anything a young single girl could want. It took a few months for all the paperwork to process and get the necessities changed over into my name. My parents left my uncle the one thing he’d always wanted, but only he knew what that was. I found out on the 23rd of August when I opened a letter from the lawyers. My parents had agreed that I would inherit everything they had, upon their demise, but I had to take care of my uncle.

My mother was black and my father was Caucasian. That didn’t seem to be a problem with anyone else in my family until I got close to my uncle. He never made direct references to my skin tone, but a few times I heard him make degrading remarks under his breath. I wrote them off as old school upbringing. That is until I received my packet from the lawyers.

I remember opening the large yellow envelope as we sat at the table. I began to read the will. The one and only stipulation mentioned didn’t seem strange at first. Specifically, it read, “We give, devise, and bequeath all of our property and estate, of every kind and character, both real and personal, wherever situated, to our child, Darcy Mae Snyder, provided that she willingly takes full responsibility of caring for and fulfilling the needs of Malcolm K. Jefferson.”

It seemed reasonable and simple enough. The lawyers had sent the same letter to my uncle, except in braille. He had already opened his and read it. He sat at the dining room table listening to me open mine.

“Hmmm,” I said after I read it. Nothing more, just more of a relief that it was finally completed.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” my uncle asked sarcastically. He sounded perturbed and it put me on guard, but I didn’t know why.

“Nothing,” I answered as if it were nothing because I meant nothing. “I was just saying that because it’s a huge relief to finally get an answer about this. I’m just ready to get on with life, you know?”

“Well I agree! I say we get started right now!” he said, suddenly very excited.

“Ok!” I replied. “What should we do?”

“Well you can start by taking off all your clothes and sitting in my lap so I can see what you look like. My hands are my eyes you know?” he said smiling.