Unforeseen Events: Day 10

Word Count: 60,130

Summary of Events:

Sheldon and Emil got to talking about how Sheldon wanted to stay until the car was fixed, with him only fully realising just how things were going to be when he got home — in that his dad wouldn't be around at all, leaving him to be bullied by his sisters and picked on by his mom. Emil, wondering if he shouldn't potentially pursue custody of Sheldon, went to the cemetery to look at his wife's grave, although he came to no resolution on what he should do.

Excerpt of the Day:

"Hearing the crunchy grind of gravel being driven over by a slow-moving vehicle, Sheldon looked over his shoulder to see an old — really old — GMC truck pulling into the yard.

As old as it was — based on the body style — it looked new. All the chrome glistened, as did the glossy burgundy paint on the body. The tires were clean and their white walls were brilliant.

A man who looked really old sat in the passenger seat, and a man who looked as old as the guy they'd gotten the car from was behind the wheel.

The truck pulled up alongside Grandpa's Dodge, which it was definitely smaller than — although by the shape of the hood Sheldon could tell the truck was new enough to have a V engine in it.

Being as its headlights were round and it had a more rounded and even spacey-looking line to it, Sheldon knew it was significantly older than the Dodge; when about it was from, however, he had no clue.

The truck shut off and the driver and passenger got out. For all his age, Sheldon had to admit, he was impressed that the old man only walked with a cane.

"Gene," Sheldon startled at the closeness of Grandpa's voice and realised that he was standing upright beside him.

Stepping forward, Grandpa shook hands heartily with the old man.

"Is Canada Post not good enough for you or what?" Grandpa asked.

"I wanted to see her for myself," the old man — Gene apparently — replied. "The parts delivery was as good an excuse as any."

Grandpa turned and beckoned to Sheldon.

"Gene, this is Sheldon." Grandpa said. "And Sheldon, this is your Great-Uncle Gene Herle."

"Pleasure to meet you," Gene said, holding out a hand.

Sheldon reached his own out to have it heartily grasped by the rather smooth old hand that shook it firmly.

"And this is Annette's cousin Leonard," Grandpa said, indicating the man who'd been driving.

The handshake Sheldon received from Leonard was just as strong as that of his father, and they made Sheldon grateful he only had to shake their hands once.

"Where is she?" Gene asked.

"Right over here," Grandpa replied, leading the way back to the open door.

"I'll be," Gene said quietly, as if the car were sacred. "She's a beaut even in this shape."

"She was well taken care of," Grandpa said. "There's no doubt about that."

"No doubt," Gene agreed. "She'll just need a fresh coat of paint. You wouldn't even have to have her running for the show and she'd win all the prizes."

"Well her upholstery's been taken by the mice," Grandpa said. "But I'll worry about the aesthetics after I've got her going again, of course, that's going to be a challenge.""

Pronunciation:

Herle: hehrl'