The game took about almost twenty minutes to go through more than four matches. Even though I had close calls, I was able to advance, even if I had to show my finishing moves to my uncles. Astonished my uncles were, especially shocking Uncle Stripe.
"How did he do that?!" he questioned in shock.
I was near to sub-boss matches. The game got harder. I continued to go by the same strategies. The Uncles continued to watch, as in hopes that I could advice. However, after playing that long, I figured that my timing would run out. It approved that, as the computer got the upper hand on the last match, I was overpowered. Apparently, I held a good long streak of nine rounds. Just as soon the "Game Over" appears, I turned around to see Uncle Stripe amazed.
"You up for a game?" I asked him.
He became nervous... until his phone vibrates. "Uh... I think Trix is calling me." He excused himself to answer the phone call. Uncle Rad had just made an order for lunch for the four of us. Uncle Bandit chuckled at Uncle Stripe's exit.
"Is he always like that?" I asked Uncle Bandit.
"He's just 'Classic Stripe'." he answered.
"I'll go ahead for a round." Uncle Rad volunteers. "I just got our lunch ordered, it'll be ready in ten minutes."
"Awesome!" I inserted coins into the slot, until it was enough for two players. Just as soon we choose our characters, the two of us battled on the game. It appeared that we were evenly matched, until I won the first round. By the time the second started, I was able to defeat my opponent with a finishing move on the second round. Uncles Bandit and Stripe chuckled over Uncle Rad's defeat.
"Far out." he was impressed. By the time the match was over, our lunch was ready.
We ate outside at a nearby bench. The noon has came and the a few people starting to arrive for a vacation or simply enjoying their weekend spot. Even families were starting to picnic on the benches, or at the beach. Just the seeing the vibe of Bodega Bay hits home.
"How is your battered fish?" Uncle Bandit asked me, just as I swallowed a bite.
I nodded my head in delight. "Tasty. Especially the fries."
"Did you and your family do something like this?" Uncle Stripe asked.
"Indeed. In Bodega Bay. We would go to Dienkman's and buy pizza there, before going back to our campsite." I answered him.
"Pizza?!"
"Of course, they do good pizza's, for a convenient store. " I added, before I started going through my pictures and showed them to my uncles.
"And you been to this campsite for years?" Uncle Rad asked.
"Yes sir." I replied. "If only you guys could see it though... but really... it's somewhere fitting that I could..."
Uncle Bandit realized. "It's where they wanted to be scattered?"
I nodded. "It always occurred me to remember, if something happened to them. Their ashes scattered by the coast. A matter of fact, it's where I plan to do the same."
"Really?" Uncle Bandit questioned. "Why's that?"
"Ever since, I've always seen the town... it was always 'a home away from home' to me. I always picture myself being there, til the day I go there for a trip and/or a camping." I set my phone down. "Just if I ever wanted to visit or return to California... Bodega Bay would be the top of my list why I return."
"Do you ever thought about going back?" Uncle Rad than asked.
I shook my head. "Not for the state I'm in. Although, things might be looking up for myself... I got myself a gig and/or sign of work."
Both Uncles Rad and Stripe are surprised and congratulating me. "What are you planning to do?"
"Well... it was a help from Bingo's school teacher. I was able to play on stage at The Markets... not to far from home." I answered. "Speaking about it, I have to call Busker for a follow up call to confirm it."
"I'm glad." Uncle Rad stated. "I'm sure he'll definitely be able to allow you to perform."
I smiled back at him. Out of no where, my phone started to go off. For starters, I was worried that Blake would attempt to reach out to me again, after our argument. Hesitant, I slowly turned my phone, facing me... to see Busker is attempting to contact me.
"Hello?" I answered the call.
Oi, you Andy?
The energy from his voice caught me off guard. "Yes, this is Andy." I stuttered, but was able to answer his question.
This is Busker! I understand you wanted to gig at the Markets?
"Well, yes please. However, I would think there ought to be a interview." I replied.
Of course, matey. Just swing by on Saturday for a interview in the early morning. Say 7:30?
"Yes sir. I'll be there." I confirmed the time with, as I put it down on my calendar. "Thank you again for the call."
No worries, mate. See you soon!
The call ended and there was a relief. At the same time, I was nervous.
"How did it go, Andy?" Uncle Bandit asked me.
"Busker asked me to come in Saturday early morning for a interview." I answered.
The uncles cheered and patted on my back. It was wonderful feeling that I could earn some money on the side. Although, it shouldn't be a long term, but however to make some side money never hurt.
With the quality time I had with my three uncles and my possible obtaining gig opportunities at the market, it thrilled my Aunt Chilli and my cousins. It was than, they decided to do something that was unique after dinner. Just as we finished our meatballs for dinner, she decided to choose the game.
"Musical Statues."
"Hooray!" the cousins cheered.
"We're not singing, are we?" I asked.
"No, it's basically dancing." Uncle Bandit explained.
"And also, if the music stops, you have to freeze." Bluey added.
It appeared straight forward, as if it was an old gym game back in preschool. "You going to play with us?" Bingo asked me.
"I'll just watch you guys to see... than I'll be ready." I decided to observe, before wanting to join.
"Are you sure?" Bluey questioned.
"It's alright, I'll sit with your cousin." Uncle Bandit joined me, as he decided to be the DJ. "Good evening, Music Fans!" He than turned into a DJ alright. "We got some Musical Statues going to happen tonight! With our new debut, Andy. Say, do you have any music preference?"
"Well... I... I don't haven any first preference." I answered.
"C'mon man! You got to choose a music." Uncle Bandit continues to use his DJ voice.
"I mean like I don't have first choice for now. Why don't you guys start and I'll figure something out."
"Very well than, music fans. Here's the first choice of music for tonight."
Uncle Bandit put on a song and everyone started to dance to a groovy tune. I watched them dance, as I sat on the sofa. As I watched, Bluey and Bingo would often times, bounce at the beat of the disco dance. Other dance music would include hip-hop rhythm that Uncle Bandit would attempt to do worm roll, slow dance music that would often see him and Auntie Chilli dance their night away under a disco ball.
It was a family that I always wanted to see that any family could be. I continued to watch them dance their night away and recalling about some times, at the orphanage there would be a dance once a year. Most times, I would just sit and watch. Only one time, a year before I was adopted, a young German Shepard asked me to dance. I couldn't turn her down. It was the one night that I couldn't forget. Her name was forgotten over time, due to the fact that she was adopted the day after. My very last dance was with family at a line dance downtown.
The memories of these dances faded away, when the music changed. The beat started sway my hips. I wasn't sure, who changed the music... I turned to see Uncle Bandit with Bluey, who changed the tunes. A sensation feeling got me picked up on my feet. Before I knew it, I started to dance from the instrumental music that got me in rhythm from a Luke Bryan song. Coincidentally, it was. As I danced, everyone started to cheer.
"Yeah, Andy!" Bluey and Bingo cheered.
"Yeah, shake it, Andy!" Uncle Bandit cheered as well. At one point, we than started to form a circle and danced for the rest of the song.
By the time, the song was over, we all fell onto the rug. Uncle Bandit grabbed Bingo to use her, as a "crazy pillow". I started to feel a bit sweat coming down, due to the workout of dancing. The memories of dancing started to come back to me.
"Andy, I must say you really danced your tail off." Auntie Chilli commented.
I was breathing in and out slowly. "I guess I almost forgotten how I felt, when I danced with the music."
"You stopped dancing at one point?" Bluey asked.
"Well... it's a long story. But, I meant was that I haven't danced for quite awhile." I clarified.
Uncle Bandit felt something on his ear, but it was only Bingo, attempting to tickle his ear. "Well at least, you don't have to dance for Busker."
"Oh no... it will be slower music." I was certain on my plan, on how to present to Busker on Saturday. "Since it's Tuesday, it'll give me enough time to go through different songs to choose."
"I'm sure you'll find something." Auntie Chilli gave me encouragement. "Which reminds me, it's bedtime girls. Go get your teeth clean, and I'll come tuck you in."
The cousins jumped on me with a hug. "Goodnight Andy! Sleep tight."
"You two girls, sweet dreams." I hugged back, before they got off of me and proceeded upstairs. When they went up, it was just me; my aunt and uncle. "Do you guys do this every night?"
"Not always. However, they'll be tired." Auntie Chilli answered. "I'm sure you must be tired."
"A bit... I really think the dance really started to tire me out." A loud snore came out of nowhere. Apparently, Uncle Bandit fell out. "And I suppose today's biking as well."
"Did you have a wonderful time, with your Uncles?" she asked.
"It was a good time, thank you." I replied. "Especially with Uncles Rad and Stripe coming along too."
"I'm glad." she than gave me a kiss. "Goodnight Andy."
"Goodnight, Auntie." I than realized Uncle Bandit was still asleep. "What about Uncle Bandit?"
She than remembered. "Oh. Mustn't forget about your uncle." With gentle shake, he woke up, before heading upstairs. I followed them, after turning off the lights of the living room. Before I know it, I found myself back on my bed. The bedroom lights off. Not a sound, except ambient sounds and the cool wind from outside helped me drift to sleep.