Unforeseen Events: Day 5

Word Count: 30,161

Summary of Events:

Emil was visited by Major's oldest resident, 96-year-old Edwin, and invited him to stay for lunch; Sheldon got into something of an argument with Edwin before storming off angrily and making Emil feel bad. Sheldon was informed by Emil that his maternal aunts, uncles, cousins, and children of cousins were going to be coming over for Canada Day weekend. Emil and Sheldon returned from picking up tires for the car to find the first of the relatives had arrived; two of Emil's grandsons helped him put the tires on the car. Sheldon felt awkward meeting all these relatives for the first time . . .

Excerpt of the Day:

"A fire roared in the fire pit behind the house, over which people were roasting hot dogs on sticks while his cousin Brandon grilled burgers on a charcoal barbecue close by.

Back from the crowd, Sheldon sat on the hammock and watched them. All he'd known for extended family — aside from Gramp, Nan, Pop, and Gran — had been his Aunt Lori, Uncle Brian, cousins Tiffany and Travis, with their respective spouses Dylan and Melissa, and Dylan and Tiffany's two kids: Mason and Arianna.

Now he had five aunts and uncles, seventeen cousins, and twelve kids of cousins, and all of them were here save his Uncle Charlie and Aunt Christine, their kids: Anna, Jordan, and Sydney, and his cousin Matthew.

It seemed, from what Sheldon had noticed, that everyone wanted to see his cousin Matthew. Sheldon hadn't a clue why. What was so special about him? Once his cousin who'd texted had gotten back an affirmative reply from Matthew that he was coming there'd seemed to be an increase in excitement, it was like everyone was waiting for Matthew to get there.

Sliding off the hammock, Sheldon headed back toward the house. He wasn't sure he wanted to wade through the crowd for a hot dog or a hamburger, and he knew there were leftovers — and his grandfather thankfully had a microwave.

Sheldon noticed something out the corner of his eye as he got close to the house. He stopped and turned to see a young man also in a military dress uniform.

"Everyone else is back there?" he asked.

Sheldon nodded.

"You look familiar but not," he said, coming around the Dodge. "Who are you?"

"Sheldon Gallagher," Sheldon replied.

"Are you a cousin?" he asked.

"I'm Annette's son," Sheldon replied.

"Well I'm, to be technical, Corporal Matthew Owens, Royal Canadian Air Force," he said, offering a hand.

Sheldon shook it out of force of habit. So this was the iconic Matthew everyone was waiting for.

"Are you staying with Grandpa?" Matthew asked.

Sheldon nodded.

"I guess I get to stay in the basement then," Matthew said.

Sheldon was confused.

"You make me feel under-dressed Matthew," Sheldon turned at the sound of his grandfather's voice.

Matthew smiled and chuckled before wrapping his grandfather in an embrace.

"You're going to demote me to the basement Grandpa?" Matthew asked. "Now that I officially have a rank?"

"I guess so," his grandfather replied. "I'd presume you two made introductions?"

"Just did," Matthew replied.

"You might want to unload now before anyone notices you're here," his grandfather said. "They're all waiting for you."

Matthew chuckled. "Considering the text I got from Jon, I'm not surprised. I think that's a good idea."

Sheldon watched silently as the two of them headed back to Matthew's vehicle. He still didn't see what was so special about Matthew. He was in the RCAF, so what? He'd just been introduced to an uncle who was a military chaplain, what was the difference? They were both in the army."