I sat on the bed, helping my mother fold the clothes, she had thrown all over the bed. She and My Father were going out on a trip. They were going to a friend's funeral. That friend had lost his mother in death, and since both my parents knew him, they decided to both attend the funeral and console him.

I wanted to go with my parents on this trip, since this was the first time they were leaving me alone at home. I did not like the idea of them leaving me all by myself. Well, it is not like I could not take care of myself, I just did not want to be alone. I was very quiet, as I kept folding the clothes. My mother realised this and tried to engage me in a conversation, but I was not really paying attention.

"What's wrong, Daniel? You have been so quiet ever since you came in here. Is everything okay?" She looked puzzled.

"It's nothing, mother. I am fine," I replied.

"You are not fine, Daniel. Remember you are my son, and I know you inside and out. Tell me what's wrong with you?"

I sighed and shook my head, not wanting to talk about it. My mother sat beside me on the bed. We were in my parents bedroom. My father, though, was already downstairs, packing some of the bags into the car. Mother put her hands around me, and whispered to me.

"Danny, my baby boy. Please, tell me why you are so quiet."

"Well… " I started, "... I just don't want you to go, mother. Can't father go alone?"

"Oh, so this is why you are so quiet? But, I thought we talked about this."

"I know, mother. I just don't feel comfortable being home alone. I know Catherine will be here later to clean up the house, and maybe watch over me. But, I just don't want to be home without you. Please mom. Please stay with me. I beg you." I had tears in my eyes.

Mother sighed. "Daniel, it is not like I want to leave you all alone here. It's just that, I can't take you with me. It's a long journey and the road is quite bad. Besides, you still need to study for your upcoming exams. Danny, listen. The trip is just for three days. I promise you that, once we are done with everything, we will come back here immediately."

I nodded, but still wanted to ask the question that was bothering my mind. "Mom, why do you have to go today? Can't you go tomorrow? Since tomorrow is a holiday?"

Mother smiled at me. "You know this person is not just anybody but your father's best friend. He is like a brother to your father. We can't just leave him alone when he needs us. Look, I already called your uncle George, and he is on his way here. He will be watching over you, while we are gone. I know you are fond of him."

"Wait! Uncle George is coming here? Yeeeesss." I punched my hands in the air and started jumping up and down on the bed. I was so happy and excited that uncle George would be spending time with me. My mother watched me, laughing her heart out.

Once I was done and had gotten all the excitement out of my system, I got down from the bed and ran to my mother. "Is he coming now?"

"I am sure he is on his way. Before then, why don't you help me finish folding the clothes into the bag?" my mother replied.

I quickly did as I was told, and started helping my mother fold and pack everything else she needed for the trip. When we were done, I offered to carry the bag for her, as we left the room. I managed to carry the bag downstairs, since it felt quite heavy. I was already feeling tired from carrying it all the way down, but I did not complain.

We were almost stepping outside, when my father entered the room.

"I thought the two of you were not going to come down. In fact, I was beginning to think we were not going for the trip anymore." he complained.

"I was trying to convince our little man here how important this trip is." my mother mocked.

"Well, okay. But, we need to go now. We have to beat the traffic. You know how terrible the traffic is on a weekday. I would not want to be in it till dark." he said and took the bag from me while my mother and I followed outside.

We stood at the gate, and my mother placed both her hands on my shoulders. She and I were almost of the same height. My mother is already 42 years old, but she still looks fresh and beautiful.

"Your uncle will be here very soon. Please, remain the good boy that you are and study your books, okay?"

"Yes mother. I am going to miss you," I said sadly.

"I will miss you too, my baby boy," mother replied and hugged me.

She kissed me on the cheek, and went to sit in the car. My father also came over and hugged me. "Take care of yourself, champ. And please, watch over your uncle. You know how he can be sometimes." My Father towered over me, since he was a bit taller than I am.

"Sure, father. Do take care of yourself too," I laughed.

We broke the hug and he went over to sit in the car. He started the car and drove away. The gate had already been opened by the security man, so My Father just drove off. I waved at them till they were no longer in sight. I turned around to enter the house when I heard someone call out my name. I turned towards the direction of the voice, and saw my uncle standing there, smiling at me.

I ran to his side, and hugged him as tightly as I could. "Uncle George, I am so happy you are here. Mother said you were coming, but I was beginning to think you would not come."

"Why would you even think that? Anyway, never mind about that. I am here now, so let's just go inside. It is almost dark out here."

I took the bag from him and led him inside, as he kept laughing at my excitement.

I carried Uncle George's bag into one of the guestrooms, the one he loved to sleep in whenever he came on a visit, and placed it beside the bed. Uncle George was already seated in the large living room and had switched on the TV. I walked over to him and sat beside him.

"Have you already eaten? I can make something quick for us, if you want?" he asked me.

"Mom already made rice and chicken stew. I have not eaten though because I was feeling terrible about them having to leave me all alone here. Anyway, now that you are here, I am kind of hungry." I admitted.

Uncle George just smiled. He got up and stretched out his hand towards me. "Come, let's go to the kitchen and heat it up. Then, we can eat together."

I nodded and took his hand. He led me to the kitchen and I sat on the stool when we got there. Uncle quickly put some of the food in a container, and placed it inside the microwave. He switched the microwave on, and turned around to face me.

"So, how is school? I hope you are studying well?"

"Come on, why does everyone keep asking whether I am studying well when you all know that I am always the top of my class." I said, faking an exasperated look.

Uncle George laughed. "I know you are the top of your class, big boy. But, that does not mean you should not study. You might never know when you will need someone's help in an exam?"

I rolled my eyes dramatically. And my uncle just shook his head and continued to laugh. Soon, the food had heated and my uncle took it out of the microwave. We did not bother to take the food to the dining hall since we were both very hungry. Uncle George dishes out the food in two different plates, and gives me one with a spoon beside it.

We started eating very quickly and continued talking about a lot of things.

You know, my father is a very wealthy man. He has a huge cocoa processing factory and has hundreds of workers, working for him. He makes millions of dollars every year from just exports of his products. He makes lots of money here in the country too. Apart from the factory, he has a huge land back in his village, where he plants cocoa. Let's say about 10 acres of land. He loves going there a lot. He says it brings him closer to his family.

My mother is also a businesswoman who sells lots of things. She owns a huge provision store, a baby store and a boutique. All of which earns her lots of money. And me, well I am just a junior high schooler, preparing for my final exams. I want to one day help my father run his company when I am much older. That is why I do my best to be the best in school.

I am an only child. And being an only child means, getting whatever I want. But, for me, I am always satisfied with anything my parents give me. Sometimes, I beg them not to give me anything but they never listen. But I still love them anyway.

My father has three brothers, uncle Stephen, who is the oldest, uncle Nathan, the second eldest and uncle George, the youngest. My father is the third brother of the family. I love uncle George very much, because he is the only uncle between all of my uncles who really treats me well. He is a chef and owns a small restaurant in the heart of the city. My parents and I sometimes go there to eat whenever we want to eat out.

The food he serves there is delicious. My favorite is that special Jollof rice he makes. It just takes my breath away. Uncle George is not rich like dad, but he is also doing well for himself and it makes me proud. Thinking of that Jollof rice always makes me mouth water. Oh God! How I wish I could have that right now.

So, Uncle George and I finally finished our food. We went to the living room to continue watching TV. We sat on the long cream coloured chair, with my head on his lap. Uncle George placed his hand on me and took the remote. He started flipping through the channels when he came across an action movie. He became excited and put the remote back on the glass center table in the middle of the room.

My uncle loves action movies. He has lots of action movie DVDs back in his house. Up to now, I have never known the reason why he loves them so much. I actually hate action movies. I don't like seeing all the blood and weaponry. It kind of makes me sick. But, I was willing to enjoy it just this once with my uncle.

I glanced at the wall clock, above the huge plasma TV on the wall. It was already 8pm. I turned a bit to make myself comfortable on the chair, with my head still on my uncles laps. We continued to watch the movie, till I jumped up when a man came out of nowhere, wielding a machete. He was just killing people all of a sudden. I closed my eyes and turned away. I could hear my uncle laughing at me, when I did that.

"I thought a big boy like you did not fear anything. How can you react like that to a movie?" he mocked me.

I hid my face in his chest, not wanting to watch the movie anymore. "I can't stand blood. And I hate violence," I mumbled.

My uncle stroked my back, and I could still feel him laughing because his body was shaking. I shook my head, and almost, I mean, almost, slapped him for making a fourteen year old watch this kind of movie.

"Okay, okay, the man is dead now. You can stop grabbing on to me, now." he laughed.

I turned a bit, and took a peek. When I was sure the character from the movie was truly dead, I slowly returned to my previous position. The movie finally ended. I don't know how but I suddenly started feeling sleepy. I put my hand on my mouth to stifle a yawn that was threatening to escape from my lips. I turned my body to the other side, facing the chair instead, and quickly fell asleep.

The bright morning sun ray was already hitting my room through the window. I opened my eyes slowly to adjust to the room. I looked around, a bit confused about my surroundings. I realised the window had not been closed. No wonder I could feel the sun directly in my eyes. I slowly got out of bed and headed towards the bathroom, which was in the adjacent room. I took a bath, brushed my teeth and walked out of the bathroom, with a towel wrapped around my lower body.

I am a fair coloured person, with the perfect toned body. Most boys my age do not have the body I have and it makes me proud. I quickly changed into new clothes and walked out of the bedroom. I dashed back inside, because I forgot to make my bed. I then made the bed perfectly, and finally walked out.

From the sun rays I could see it was already late in the morning. I can't believe I slept that long. How long was I even asleep for? I walked down the stairs and headed towards the kitchen. I was hit by a delicious aroma, emanating from the kitchen. I walked into the kitchen slowly and saw my uncle cooking. His back was turned towards me. He was wearing a blue apron, over his red lacoste shirt and blue jeans trousers.

I decided to sneak up on him, so I began walking slowly.

"Why are you sneaking up on me when you can just walk up to me and say good morning? You are not even that quiet." he spoke, making me stop in my tracks.

How did he know I was even in the kitchen? I had made sure not to be noisy. Or, did he have some sort of super hearing? I thought. I walked over and just greeted him.

"How did you know I was the one? Are you some sort of superhuman?" I asked, totally perplexed.

"I always know when you are around. And second, I am not. So, how was your night?" he asked.

"It was quite long, I suppose. I can't believe I slept for so long. How long was I asleep for?" I asked, shocked at myself.

"Let's say you were asleep for almost 10 hours. I never knew you were that tired from yesterday. Anyway, I'm glad you are awake."

"So, what are you making for breakfast?" I asked, my mouth almost salivating from the sweet aroma.

"I am making some cocoa beverage with fried eggs and bread. You can see I am flying the eggs. And I have already finished heating the water for the chocolate powder." he said.

"So, what can I do to help? I smiled, excitedly.

"Just wait at the dinning hall. Or, will you like to eat here?"

I nodded. "Yes, let's eat here. I like eating with you here."

Our kitchen is huge and very modern. My mother loved her kitchen that way. It was neat and spacious. It was easy for two or three people to move around. I sat on the tall kitchen stool, behind the counter and waited for Uncle George to start serving our food.

He started placing the cups and a plate on the counter. He took two sachets of the chocolate powder and cut them open with the small scissors. He poured them into the cups. Then, he took the kettle and poured out the water contents into each of the cups. He began to dish out the eggs in the plate when his phone began to ring.

He picked it on the second ring. "Hello, who is this?" he frowned a bit.

"Yes, I am. Who am I talking to?"

"... What! When did this happen?"

".... Okay, I will be there soon. Thank you."

I looked at my uncle intently. He was shaking visibly. I came close to him, and held his hand. He and I were of the same height so he did not tower over me like my father did.

"Uncle, what's wrong? Who was it? Did something happen at the restaurant? I asked, a bit of worry in my voice.

Then I noticed tears in his eyes. "Uncle you are crying. What happened?" I was panicking now.

He cleaned the tears away from his eyes and turned to look at me. "Danny. Something happened. Your parents… "

The mention of my parents made my heart skip a beat. "What happened to my parents?" I asked him slowly, not really ready for what he was about to say.

"Your parents. They-They died," more tears flew from his eyes.

I jumped away from him suddenly. I began to shake my head in disbelief. "No, that can't be true. It can't be true," I kept repeating.

"I am sorry… "

I screamed and fell to the ground. My uncle rushed to my side and held me. I began to cry uncontrollably. "No, this can't be. They can't be dead. No they can't."

"I am sorry, Daniel. I really am."

I weeped so badly for my parents. How could they be dead? They left here just yesterday. How did this happen? I tried to calm myself, but it hurt so much. I felt like a thousand pins were stinging me in the chest. All I felt was pain. Very serious emotional pain.

My uncle and I remained on the floor for some minutes before we both walked into the living room, the breakfast totally forgotten. We sat on the long chair. My uncle held me and stroked my back. I was a bit calmer, but I was still crying.

"What happened to them?" I managed to ask, after I felt could speak normally.

"They had an accident on the highway yesterday on their way to the funeral. Apparently, a trunk ran into their car and drove them off the road into the big gutter."

Oh God! I gasped. Who would do this to me? My parents were good people. They did not deserve to die like this. More tears began to fall from my eyes. Uncle George hugged me again.

"The person who called you. Are you going there to see him or her?"

"It was a nurse from the hospital, actually. They wanted me to come over and identify your parents bodies. I need to get going soon."

"Can I come with you?" I asked him.

He looked at me with sadness in his eyes.