The Scarecrow in a Three-Piece Suit

Faith stood in the hallway by the washroom door, watching the people bustle throughout the house with relief and excitement. Her uncle had survived his accident and had made it to shore. Everyone was now busy making phone calls, passing on the news, and making sure Uncle Neil had everything he needed. Faith didn't know what to do to help.

And her mother for some reason was now feeling sick. Faith cringed as she listened to Syl throw up for a good while, followed by a flush and the sound of running water. When Syl emerged from the bathroom, she asked her daugther for a stick of gum, a request Faith could easily accomodate.

"Hey, Ma," Faith began as she slipped the pack of gum back into her pocket, "do you think it'll be okay if I stayed here instead of the condo?" She had been nervous about staying before because she didn't know anyone in the house. Now that her uncle was back with them, she didn't want to leave.

Her mother laughed and ruffled Faith's hair. "I'm okay with it, but you'll have to ask your uncle." The statement was just a formality though; she couldn't imagine Neil refusing his niece anything.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door and they looked up as Aaron went to answer it.

A gaunt, serious scarecrow of a man in business attire stared fiercely down at the boy when he opened the door. Aaron surprised Syl when she saw him stare back up just as fiercely at the human vulture as if daring him to bite. Coldly, the ugly, empty shell in the three-piece suit grumbled something to the boy before rudely shoving a thick manila envelope into his hands and leaving as abruptly and unannounced as he had arrived.

Frowning, Syl followed Aaron to the front room and watched as the boy handed the package to his father. Worried, she came up behind Neil and gently put a hand on his shoulder, giving it a comforting squeeze.

"You going to be alright, bro?" She knew how much his wife meant to him.