The weekend arrived quickly, and the family prepared to visit Kwame.
"Do I really have to come?" Marvel asked.
"Yes, son. We're going to see your brother," Uncle Mike replied.
"Is he at school, or staying with Uncle Femi?" Tansy asked.
"He's with your uncle. He'd be upset if he had to stay at school," Aunt Kathy answered.
"Did you really have to send him away?" Tansy pressed.
"We've discussed this already. Let's move on," Uncle Mike said.
"Why didn't you send Marvel away instead? He started the fight," Tansy said.
"Marvel is in his final year. He can't change schools now," Uncle Mike explained.
"I've planned a surprise for you, champ," Uncle Femi told Kwame.
"Let me guess," Kwame said, grinning. "We're having lunch at my favorite restaurant? Or wait, are we going to the cinema? Wait, did you buy me a car?"
"You're hilarious," Uncle Femi replied. "Why would I buy you a car? You're underage, and it's nothing like what you guessed."
"Then what is it? Tell me, Uncle. I'm out of patience," Kwame said just as the doorbell rang.
"I suppose you'll have to see for yourself. Go get the door," Uncle Femi said.
"You've already done so much for me, Uncle. What is it this time?" Kwame asked as he walked toward the door.
He opened it to find his entire family standing outside.
"Surprise!" they shouted together.
"What are you all doing here?" Kwame asked, sounding more confused than excited.
"Do you want us to leave?" Aunt Kathy asked. "You don't seem happy to see us."
"Of course I am. I really missed you," Kwame said, forcing a smile.
"I missed you more," Tansy said, pulling him into a hug.
"How are you doing, Kwame?" Marvel asked.
"I'm fine. If that's why you came, you didn't need to. We could've video called or something," Kwame replied.
"We're here now, so let's enjoy it," Uncle Mike said.
"Exactly. Come inside and get comfortable. Let's go to someone's favorite restaurant," Uncle Femi added.
"Wait, really?" Kwame asked, a real smile spreading across his face.
"Yes, champ. As always," Uncle Femi replied.
"Can I drive?" Kwame asked as they prepared to leave for the restaurant.
"Wait, what? Why would you let him drive? He's underage," Uncle Mike said angrily.
"Of course not," Uncle Femi replied. "I've been teaching him, and now he thinks he's a perfect driver."
"They have their own car," he continued. "They can meet us there. Please, let me drive," Kwame pleaded, ignoring his father.
"Nice try, K, but no," Uncle Femi said.
"K?" Uncle Mike asked.
"Oh, K as in Kwame. Just the first letter," Uncle Femi explained.
"Come on, Uncle," Kwame said, heading out with Tansy.
"What is this?" Marvel muttered. "Is he really pretending everything is fine? He's still ignoring Dad, so nothing has changed."
"Actually, a lot has changed," Uncle Femi replied. "He doesn't get lost in his thoughts or cry over nothing anymore, and he hasn't had a panic attack since. This is the first time he's seen you since leaving Ghana, give him time."
"We know, Femi. You've helped him so much, and we're grateful," Aunt Kathy said.
"He wants to spend every holiday and vacation here," Uncle Femi added.
"No," Uncle Mike said firmly. "If he's okay now, we're taking him with us when we leave."
"You can't just take him," Uncle Femi said.
"Well, that's not your decision to make," Uncle Mike replied.
"Exactly, and neither is it yours," Uncle Femi said.
"What's going on here?" Kwame asked, and the room fell silent.
"Do you really want to spend every holiday and vacation here?" Marvel asked his brother.
"Am I not allowed to?" Kwame replied.
"No, you're not," Uncle Mike said.
"You sent me away, Dad. You flew me all the way to Canada, far from everyone, just because I had a fight with Marvel. Why would I want to come back to you?", tears welled in Kwame's eyes as he spoke.
"Why are you speaking like that?" Uncle Mike asked angrily. "I already explained why Marvel needed to stay."
"I'm sorry, Uncle Femi, but I can't join you," Kwame said, wiping his tears. "I've lost my appetite."
"Calm down, Kwame. You're hurting Dad," Tansy said softly.
"Why are you all here?" Kwame asked, his voice rising. "I'm trying so hard to get better and forget what you did to me."
"We're your family, Kwame," Aunt Kathy said, her eyes filling with tears.
"I hate all of you," Kwame said, breaking down into tears. "I really hate you."
Uncle Femi immediately pulled him into a hug and wiped his tears. "Take a deep breath, champ. Breathe in slowly, and breathe out slowly," he said gently.
"I want them gone, Uncle. I can't stand them," Kwame whispered.
"I know, champ. They'll leave soon. Just try to relax," Uncle Femi replied.
He led Kwame to his room to calm him down. A few minutes later, he returned.
"You all need to leave," Uncle Femi said. "I'll try to get him to visit Ghana during the holidays."