Al slowly drove around the countryside, commenting at all the different sites. Molly had fallen asleep in the backseat, and Justin was too busy panicking to pay attention to his uncle’s friend ramble about the different abbeys or the monuments. He knew this was a tourist haven, what he didn’t know was whether or not they’d arrive to Uncle Richard’s home only to find him dead and the murderers waiting to pounce on them as well. “Are you even listening to me?” Al finally asks with exasperation. “No,” Justin answers honestly. “Why don’t you call my uncle to make sure he’s there?” “He’s not,” Al replies. Justin’s heart skips a bit, “What?!” “He’s dead.” Justin stares at the man for a few seconds, trying to comprehend what had just been said. Al starts laughing, “Shit, you really can’t take a joke. Man, you should see your face.” Swallowing hard, Justin shakes his head, “You need to be on medication.” He shrugs, “Anything is possible.” Looking out the window, he stares at the beautiful landscape in front of him. Everything looked so peaceful out here, away from the noise of the city. The river looked so serene, even though he knew firsthand how unpredictable it really was when he had tried to sail his toy boat on it as a child. “We’re entering Bourgueil now,” Al comments, “We should be at Rich’s place in twenty minutes.” Justin nods, trying to swallow the ever-increasing lump in his throat. “You look like you’re going puke, Kid. Do you want me to stop the car?” Shaking his head, Justin bites his lower lip. He hadn’t seen his uncle in 12 years. How would he know that it was Richard coming to greet him and not some hit-man? Turning back to Al, he asks, “When was the last time you saw my uncle?” Al shrugs, “Last year. I try to come at least once a year,” then with a smile, he continues, “I stay for about a month.” Justin’s eyes widen, “You’re staying with us for a month?” Al laughs again, “Hell no, my wife would have my balls if I were out here for a month without her and the kids. No, I’ll be flying back to the states in a couple of days, but will be back with my family in a couple of months.” Justin slowly nods, feeling the dull ache in his bones. Family. He really missed them. “You have kids?” He asks his voice soft. Al nods, noticing the change in his companion’s voice, “Yeah, two daughters and a son.” Justin looks back out the window, staring at the vineyards surrounding them. He remembered how excited he used to get driving up here to see him. Glancing over at his sleeping sister, he gently pats her arm, “Molly,” he whispers, “Wake up, we’re almost there.” Frowning, Molly opens her eyes, “Where?” Al grins, “Your new home, Baby.” Slowly the car turns onto a partially hidden driveway and past the open gates. “Holy shit,” Molly states. Justin simply nods. It was just how he remembered. It was an imposing building structure… huge, really, with too many bedrooms to count. “I’m taking you guys in through the back,” Al comments. Justin knows that it’s more for their benefit than Al’s. Going from the back of the house meant viewing the gardens and hidden stairways to the underground wine caves: not to mention the pool. He used to love swimming in the pool when he was younger. Al stops in front of the garage, “Ready?” Justin and Molly don’t move. Frowning, Al takes turns looking at first Justin and then Molly, and then back at Justin again. “He won’t bite.” Laughing at his own joke, he opens his door and gets out, whistling loudly, “Hey, Rich: Votre nièce et neveu bratty sont ici !” He chuckles again. Justin frowns, slowly getting out of the car, “We’re not brats.” “Ah, so you remember your French?” Al teases. Molly cautiously exits from the vehicle and Justin immediately takes her hand. Looking at one another, they take a deep breath. “Okay, Al, we’re ready.”