Uncle Funded My Education Journey

As the summer days grew increasingly hot and stuffy, Aylin Scott found herself in a state of restless anticipation. Her life, marked by routine, mirrored the oppressive season, with monotony and a longing for change mixed with a fear of the unknown. Aylin's days passed by mindlessly feeding the cats and dogs in the yard, working the fields, shopping for groceries, and going through the motions of daily chores. Life felt stagnant, like a still pond she longed to ripple yet feared to disturb.

Kayleigh Gardner, Aylin's grandmother, rarely spoke to her. Over the years, they had lived under the same roof, deliberately ignoring each other's presence. But for Aylin, this silence was better than the disdainful looks and endless scoldings she might otherwise face.

The familiar sound of brakes outside announced her aunt’s arrival. Visitors were rare, especially those arriving in large cars. Sure enough, it was the white Hyundai, and there was her aunt, Milan Parker, with her trademark cheerful smile, accompanied by Aylin’s cousin Salem and uncle Milan Parker.

Milan Parker, a proud university graduate and one of the first from their town to attend college, now worked at the Chester County Education Committee. She was the pride of Kayleigh Gardner and the entire village. Every visit home involved driving herself, knowing her mother liked to see this success displayed. Vanity, perhaps, but a harmless one. After all, it was her mother's way of moving past old hardships.

Aylin felt warmth for her aunt, who had always been kinder than her father or grandmother. Despite her aunt’s kindness, Aylin couldn’t build a close relationship with her, a fact that puzzled and unnerved her.

“Aunt…” Aylin called softly, unsure if she even heard herself.

“Yes? Where are Grandma and Dad?” Milan asked, gently patting Aylin on the shoulder.

Just as Aylin was about to answer, Kayleigh Gardner emerged from the house, her demeanor changing as she warmly greeted her daughter, son-in-law, and grandson. “Oh, you're here! I was just about to take a nap when I heard your car! That precise braking—Milan, was I right?”

Milan feigned a pout, “Mom, why do you doubt my parking skills?”

Milan Parker stepped past his wife and mother-in-law into the house and settled on the couch. He reached for his pocket to retrieve a cigarette but, noticing Raiden Gardner coming out of the room, offered the packet to him instead. As Raiden reached for a cigarette, Milan teasingly withdrew the packet, handing over an unopened one instead.

Raiden chuckled, “Is this your way, brother-in-law?”

Milan nodded. It was a form of interaction between a proud man and a humble one—pleasant but distant, Aylin observed.

Aylin watched her grandmother and aunt in the room, caught in their familiar harmony, wondering if her presence would disrupt it. They shared a bond she remained outside of, an observer of others' joy, her own isolation palpable. Despite her efforts, she never felt part of their happiness, feeling an overwhelming urge to disappear, like a spirit adrift and lost in thought.

Her mind likened solitude to an enveloping fog, an insidious mist trapping her in its thick embrace. Each pang of loneliness erected invisible barriers, her self-imposed prison, a realm of shadow and heaviness she called a “heart cage.”

On registration day, Milan Parker had Aylin wait in the shade while he stood in line to pay the fees, shuttling tirelessly between the administrative and academic buildings. Finally, he handed her the dorm keys, his shirt damp with sweat. Aylin offered him a handkerchief. Surrounded by unfamiliar faces, she hoped others might mistake them for father and daughter—a vanity of sorts, but not entirely unreasonable. Fatherly care shouldn’t be rare, she figured.

Once they were done setting up her new place, it was around two in the afternoon. Milan took Aylin to a nearby McDonald's, her first time there, her excitement clear on her face.

Milan enjoyed Aylin’s happiness, wishing she could always laugh so freely. From his wallet, he handed her two twenty-dollar bills and encouraged her to order whatever she liked. Generosity suited him, he thought.

But Aylin hesitated, unused to this kind of gesture from her father and unfamiliar with the process of ordering. Milan noticed her predicament and smiled, suggesting they order together.

At the counter, Milan ordered a chicken wrap, a cod sandwich, fries, two sodas, four spiced honey cakes, and two sets of wings—mostly items his son liked and others he chose by observing other customers. Spending fifty to sixty dollars seemed extravagant to Aylin.

“Jia Jia, I’ll head back tonight!” Milan announced.

Aylin nodded, “Okay.”

“Take care of yourself while you’re here.”

“Yes.”

“Call home often, especially since we worry about you more than Salem,” Milan said, feeling sentimental.

“I’ll be careful.” Aylin smiled to reassure him.

“You don’t have a mobile yet! Let’s check out the nearby tech plaza.”

“No need, there’s a phone in the dorm.”

“Nonsense, you need one with you. Done eating? Let’s go.”

Milan’s insistence led to buying Aylin a Nokia smartphone. She recognized the model from her friend Milena Gibson the previous year. Now, she felt like a pauper suddenly turned wealthy, overwhelmed by unexpected fortune.

That night, lying in her dorm bed, Aylin pondered the journey ahead in this bustling city. Would she hide in the shadows or bask in the sunlight? Her initial certainty about a fresh start had given way to a more realistic understanding of herself and the world. Yet, she resolved to seek happiness and find a gateway to joy.

Aylin slept deeply, only to be woken by the chatter of her roommates—girls she hadn’t properly greeted after her late return from seeing her uncle off.

“Hi! Morning!” Aylin called down from her top bunk, hugging her blanket.

A slender, dramatic girl clutched her chest in mock surprise, “Oh my gosh! You startled me!”

“When did you arrive? We had no idea!”

As Aylin got dressed, she explained, “I arrived yesterday. You were out when I set up. I was late coming back from the station with my… dad.” The fib slipped out without thought, irrelevant to her listeners.

The room held six girls: Wang Qian and Ren Bingbing from New York, Qi Xiaomei from Minnesota, Fang Jingjing from Los Angeles, and Aylin and Anqi from Ohio. Qi, bold and spirited, contrasted with Fang’s sharp wit and southern charm. Wang was the lively one, while Ren stayed out of sight—a “problem student” by reputation.

“If only it were Instructor Turner training us!” Qi Xiaomei lamented.

Wang echoed in her affected tone, “Yeah, with him, nothing would be too tough.”

Confused, Aylin asked, “Who’s Instructor Turner?”

Fang Jingjing nodded towards Qi, “Xiaomei, educate the newcomer!”

Qi playfully saluted, “Turner Edwards, male, twenty-two, six feet tall, one-sixty pounds, responsible for freshman military training. Report over!”

Anqi emerged from the bathroom, scoffing, “And their collective crush!”

Aylin simply nodded, unfazed.

The dorm vibe was positive, her new friends endearing. Distance from her family helped ease any lingering homesickness.

College life began with mandatory military training, the camo attire invigorating. Turner, the object of her mates’ affections, had her anxious. Though not unfit, Aylin dreaded physical activity, finding such movements awkward. Despite her peers’ excitement over their handsome instructor, she refrained from joining in.

“According to national policy, freshmen must undergo military training to build patriotism and resilience,” Turner addressed the group, noticeably tense. “This… this…” he stammered, forgetting his lines.

The girls laughed.

“Quiet!” commanded Turner. “In uniform, act like soldiers!”

Aylin didn’t wish to be a soldier but stood out for her seriousness, earning Turner’s approval. “Exactly! Like this!” he praised, pointing her out.

Suddenly the center of envy, Aylin felt uncomfortable.

Despite daytime exhaustion, nighttime energy abounded. Conversations spanned politics, folklore, relationships, even in the dark. The dorm phone was constantly busy. Long after lights out, Qi Xiaomei chatted with her boyfriend at another college, unabashedly romantic, enough to make her roommates blush.

Aylin questioned past feelings for Francis Lawson, wondering if they had truly been in love. She envied Xiaomei’s enduring romance, wistful.

“Did you and Francis ever…?” inquired Banqiao, curious about deeper experiences.

Caught off guard, Aylin felt her cheeks burn, grateful for the darkness concealing her embarrassment.

Days quickly passed, and by the evening of her wedding to Dustin Scott, Aylin faced a whirlwind of emotions. Following custom, they hadn’t seen each other the night before. Staying at an apartment rather than the family home, she was aware of her relatives' nervousness; they had come up with excuses for missing the day’s early preparations.

After bathing, she noted the silence. Away from the Scotts, her family seemed subdued, perhaps nostalgic. She knew Milan Parker had treated her like a daughter.

“Dad, everyone will make it tomorrow morning?” Aylin asked, drying her hair.

“Yes, your aunt called this morning,” he replied, his frequent blinking betraying stress.

She ensured they got rest, aware of the busy day ahead, and retreated to Eren Murray’s former room.

Though aware of the little white lies, Aylin chose not to expose them. Maybe genuine issues had arisen, but she accepted their intent to maintain a smooth ceremony.

Despite the drama, the wedding day was bright and clear. Aylin greeted guests at the lavish venue, composed and gracious, surprising Dustin with her newfound confidence.

Guests admired her beauty, genuine and serene. The ceremony was filled with humor and traditional speeches, the newlyweds receiving blessings from all.

The feast reminded Aylin of past, simpler gatherings—extravagance didn’t go unnoticed. Whitley Murray spotted the untouched dishes, suggesting they pack some.

Aylin smiled awkwardly, “Sure, Mom. You go ahead, we’ll handle the cleanup.”

Back in the bridal suite, Dustin embraced her from behind, pointing at the bed now strewn with red envelopes. “Look at this!” he exclaimed.

“Oh my,” Aylin gasped, seeing the abundance of gifts. “This is too much!”

Dustin toyed with one, amused at her surprise. Among the envelopes, one stood out—a substantial sum with a note, “If you are well, it is sunny.”

Recognizing the handwriting, Aylin’s expression changed. It was from Raiden Palmer, a truth she kept to herself, overwhelmed by his unexpected declaration.

Dustin chuckled, “No matter who it’s from, the sentiment is clear.”

Elsewhere, Julissa Lawson lingered at the school gate, awaiting the stream of children. As her charge approached, she put on her sweetest smile, “Aeryn, here I am!”

Aeryn, though aware of Julissa’s presence, feigned ignorance, reluctant to accept her escort. The changes this woman had brought into her life left her unsettled, secretly resenting her for disrupting her family.

Aeryn huffed, “Why are you here? Why aren’t Mommy and Daddy coming?”

“They’re both at work,” Julissa replied, adjusting the child’s scarf.

Unconvinced, Aeryn pushed further, “Why aren’t you at work?”

Foreseeing the child’s relentless questions, Julissa countered, “Why aren’t you at work?”

“Because I’m at school.”

Ignoring the retort, Julissa reached for Aeryn’s hand, only for the child to pull away defiantly, demanding, “Who’s coming tomorrow?”

Julissa softened, “Who do you want to come?”

“Mommy! And Daddy!” Aeryn declared, her plea reasonable.

“Sorry, you don’t get to choose. Neither do I.”

Aeryn’s eyes welled with tears, her voice trembling with fear, “Does this mean they don’t want me anymore?”

Haunted by the thought, she wondered if her parents' absence was permanent—her reality more daunting than imagined. While Julissa treated her well, the longing for her family remained intense.

Julissa knelt, speaking gently, “Let’s call your dad when we’re home, okay?”

“Now!” Aeryn insisted, eyes hopeful.

“Okay, now.” Julissa dialed, hoping to reach Dustin, aware her number was blocked on his phone. Yet, Aeryn's cries once he answered unsettled him deeply.

“Daddy, I need you! Mommy too! Please come home!”

Hearing her sobs, Dustin’s heart ached, “Okay, I promise, Daddy will come home.”

“Really?” Aeryn brightened, clutching the phone.

“Really,” Dustin assured her, feeling a slight relief.

“Don’t break your promise!” She longed to seal it with a pinky swear.

“I won’t.”

Ending the call, Dustin couldn’t ignore his restlessness. He missed his daughter, their bond unbreakable. Though separated from Aylin, hope lingered, the tether of parenthood anchoring them.

Julissa, eager yet anxious, prepared a festive meal, hopeful Dustin would return. His absence was a constant reminder of her intrusion into his life—an uninvited guest.

Despite her resolve, doubt seeped in. She had been hopeful since Aylin’s departure, taking on the role of caretaker for Aeryn, yet the chasm between her and Dustin remained vast.

Hours passed, and Julissa’s anticipation dulled. By nightfall, she awaited the sound of his key in the lock, reluctant to disturb his solitude.

Aeryn, lulled by weariness, asked, “When will Daddy be home?”

Offering comfort, Julissa maintained optimism, “He’s just delayed.”

“Will he come?”

“He promised.”