The town car jerked away from the curb, a spray of dirt shooting up in its wake. Marissa jostled against her mother on the plush bench seat until the car was on smooth pavement again. Uncle Gerald sat across from them, an unlit cigar clutched in one hand and a large smile on his face. Behind the dark partition, Marissa could only make out the silhouette of the driver.
“Thank you again for taking her on such short notice,” her mother said after they’d been driving for a few minutes.
“No problem at all.” Uncle Gerald’s smile grew wider, if that was possible. His pale face crinkled into an almost theatrical impersonation of an old man. And then he turned his eyes on her and she shifted in her seat. “We’ll have a great time.”
Marissa snorted and looked away. His eyes were endlessly blue and if she stared at them too long, she might be tugged into their madness.
Her mother swatted her with her paper fan from the train. “Manners, young lady.”
Uncle Gerald laughed and tapped his sister on the knee. “We’re not too worried about manners around here, sis. She’ll fit right in.”
“Comforting.”
The car turned between two brick pillars and crept along a gravel driveway. Then they rounded a curve and the trees gave way to a house. More of a mansion, really. The building towered over them, grey and black either by choice or by grime and lack of care; Marissa couldn’t be sure which.
The three of them climbed out of the car and stared up at the house.
“This is it.” Uncle Gerald waved a hand unnecessarily. “What do you think?”
“It’s big.” Marissa’s neck ached from the angle she had to tilt her head in order to take the whole thing in. Normally a house this grand would have impressed her, or made her excited to explore. But there was something off about this place that was keeping her hesitant.
Another booming laugh from Uncle Gerald and his meaty hand landed on her shoulder and squeezed.. “Of course. I like having my space.”
“And you’ll be sure not to mess up his things, Marissa.” Her mother cast her a stern look down the line of her nose.
“Yes, mother.” Marissa resisted the urge to roll her eyes when she looked away. She didn’t want to get smacked along with being abandoned.
“Not to worry, sis, everything of value won’t be accessible to little Marissa.”
Marissa bristled at being called little, but said nothing.
“Let’s go inside. I’ll show you to your rooms.”
“Rooms?” She looked up at last, a thread of hope blooming in her chest. Part of her had thought this would be more like a prison sentence. But rooms?
“Of course. You didn’t think I’d have this whole house and only confine you to one set of walls, did you?”
Marissa didn’t know what to say. That was exactly what she’d thought.
“That’s very kind of you,” her mother answered for her as they walked toward the front doors.
“Wow.” Marissa had no other words for it. The bedroom was amazing. So much space, a huge bed, and bookshelves lining one whole wall.
“I’m glad you like it.” Uncle Gerald hung back in the hallway as though he couldn’t step over the threshold.
“Well,” her mother kissed her on top of her head, “I’d better be getting back to the train station. Your father is waiting.”
“Oh, sister, do stay for dinner? Or at least a drink?”
“One drink. Then I must really be off.”
They drifted off down the hallway, but Marissa stayed where she was.
She couldn’t believe her eyes. It wasn’t ‘rooms,’ so much as an entire wing of the fourth floor. All to herself. Maybe this wouldn’t be as bad as she’d expected.