[ WP ] An estranged relative dies and bequeaths to you a houseboat .

`` So when is the funeral?'' Asked Amanda 
 `` Next Friday'' Replied Eric as he turned their car down a dirt road. `` Boy, he lives out in the middle of nowhere.'' 
 `` You mean lived.'' 
 `` Yeah I guess so.'' 
 `` I'm sorry Eric. That was insensitive. Did you know your uncle well?'' 
 `` No. In fact, I hardly knew him at all. I only saw him maybe twice in my whole life. Just at family parties and stuff. Do n't know if I ever spoke more than twenty words to the guy.'' 
 `` Why did he leave you his boat then?'' 
 `` No idea, I did n't know he even knew my name'' 
 `` Well thats strange, Eric. And kinda creepy'' 
 `` But at least we own a boat now!'' 
 `` I bet it does n't even work, I mean, Look around. Out in the middle of nowhere, in a swamp basically. The thing is probably half sunk in mud.'' 
 `` Well even if it is, It will be fun to fix it up together?'' 
 They continued down the road, following it's twists and turns and trying to avoid getting caught in mud. 
 `` Looks like we're here.'' Said Eric as they finally approached a house at the end of the road. 
 It was the only structure in sight. The house was three stories tall, with three large chimneys and lots of windows. The paint was slightly worn and the yard was only slightly overgrown. Around the house was a short brick wall, and beyond that on either side was thickets in marshes. Behind the house sat a large lake that turned into marshes on the other side. The front of the house faced a small clearing with a forest just beyond. 
 `` Wow, its much nicer than I thought it would be.'' noted Amanda. 
 `` It sure is'' said Eric as he pulled into the gravel driveway and turned off the engine. 
 `` Still, its too far from civilization for me. I could n't live this far from fast food and the mall'' said Amanda. 
 `` You crack me up, I would love to live here.'' 
 `` Who did he leave the house to anyway?'' 
 `` No one, as far as I know. If I remember right, it was n't listed at all.'' 
 `` Well I guess we better check out the boat'' 
 `` Sounds good, but then I want to go inside the house and check it out too.'' 
 The two of them walked around toward the back of the house. They turned the last corner and looked at the lake. It was around nine in the morning when they arrived, and the morning fog still sat on the lake. But through the mist they saw a dock. Just barely visible at the end of the dock, they spotted a silhouette of their boat. 
 They approached the boat and observed it from the outside. 
 `` Looks to be in good shape to me.'' Eric smiled. `` I should have taken that bet'' 
 `` Yeah, Like you can tell just by looking at it.'' Amanda poked Eric in the arm and smirked. 
 `` Well then, Lets step inside and see for certain.'' 
 The house boat was larger than average. The back half was uncovered and flat but the bow was enclosed. The door to the house portion was heavy, but Eric managed to push it in and step inside. To their surprise, it was very neat and well kept. Everything seemed to be in working order. In the corner there was a set of stairs leading to a room below. They climbed down the stairs to have a look. 
 Eric let out a little yelp in shock when he reached the bottom. In the room, sitting at a small desk was his estranged uncle, alive and well. 
 `` Hello, Eric. Ive been expecting you.'' the uncle said. 
 `` Wha, I thought, what? We thought that uhhh.'' Eric was too shocked to speak. Amanda just stood still as a statue behind him, as if she had seen a ghost. 
 `` You thought I was dead, just like everyone else thinks. And it has to stay that way.'' 
 Eric did n't offer a response, instead he just stared. 
 `` I have a secret to tell you.'' The uncle stood and opened a large cabinet. Inside was weapons, ammo, and other various military equipment. `` The truth is that I am alive, I'm just retiring. And I have a job offer for you.'' Uncle handed Eric a handgun. `` You actually do get to keep the boat too''
