As the day goes on, the narrator realises that Uncle Tom’s jokes sometimes hurt Dad, even though Dad pretends not to mind. By the end, the narrator understands that families can be complicated, but love doesn’t have to be divided—it just changes shape.
The afternoon brings a small adventure: a trip to a nearby pond to feed ducks. Sheila brings breadcrumbs in a paper bag and is thrilled when the ducks waddle over eagerly. Dad kneels beside her, showing her how to toss crumbs so the ducks don’t get startled. Uncle Tom narrates in a mock-serious voice, turning a simple chore into a performance. Sheila relishes the attention and the feeling of being part of a team. A Day with Dad and Uncle Tom by Sheila Robins 11yo 121
As the sky turned orange and we headed back to the truck, my legs felt heavy but my heart felt full. Dad ruffled my hair, and Uncle Tom gave me a polished green stone he’d found by the water. "A souvenir for the best explorer in the family," he said. As the day goes on, the narrator realises