The Inheritance Book 1

Ch 56 Bryce is Back: Bryce Wheeler [Thursday Morning, Week Three]

Bryce poured warm blueberry syrup over his second stack of fluffy pancakes and grabbed three more pieces of crunchy bacon. His appetite, like his sense of humor, had come roaring back after his meeting with Aunt Allora.

Something else had happened too. He saw the whole situation of the divorce with new eyes. He didn't know if the lemonade grapes had anything to do with it, or even if them being 'special' was just his imagination. It was possible he had been at the emotional cracking point and just needed that little push to spill his guts, and now that he had, he was able to face it and work his way through the crisis.

No longer drowning in feelings of loss and sadness and self-pity, he saw everything as though he were a detached outsider. It was totally obvious to him now that his parents were incompatible and his mom had been very unhappy. If life was like a race, she would be a power-walker: training, setting goals, pacing herself, never taking her eyes from the finish line. His dad would take lots of pit stops: watching others run past, enjoying a cup of coffee, and petting the stray dogs. Neither was bad or wrong, they just didn't fit well together.

And he had developed this new inner peace that assured him he would adjust to the new normal at home and life would go on.

He laughed to himself, thinking that all these losers here at Trecorin better watch out because Bryce is back!

Aunt Allora, wearing one of her usual floor-length, loose-sleeved, flowy dresses, got up from her purple velvet throne.

"I know you darlings are anxious to get the competition started again now that the lovely Kellyn has recovered," she said. "Unfortunately, as you know, our Hannah--bless her heart--has taken ill, so we will postpone the archery contest until tomorrow. Instead, each of you will select an activity and will still earn a full 50 points. I realize it is frustrating that the competition has temporarily stalled, but be patient, my loves. Do not get discouraged. There is still plenty of time. Miss Haversham and I have business in town this morning. Mr. and Mrs. Carter are here if you need anything."

Bryce raised his hand with a genuine question. He was saving the smart-assery for just the right moment. "Can we pick anything we want for the activity today?"

"Thank you Bryce, I was about to get to that. Your activity options are these: One, help Mrs. Carter and Kara bake & decorate cookies. Two, watch another of those Henry Potter movies in the parlor, since we didn't show them all on Tuesday. Three, work on your Super Challenge masterpiece in the art room. Four, work in the garden and stables with Mr. Carter. "

Bryce forked a delicious piece of pancake into his mouth. Yeah, good luck getting any of the kids to help Mr. Carter. Who in their right mind would choose to sprinkle cow poop on the grass, or pull weeds, or whatever other boring job he had to do. Maybe if he let them drive the riding lawn mower, but Bryce wasn't going to hold his breath.

Coach Lennox piped up, "Ma'am? Would it be okay if I take a couple kids out on the pond in your row boat? I have been wanting to do something on the water."

Allora winced and reached for the crystal around her neck. "I am reluctant. Our little lake appears as placid and peaceful as can be, but you can't judge the water by its surface."

"I understand, ma'am." Lennox nodded respectfully. "I saw the row boat out in the garage and assumed it was for the pond. I thought it might be a fun thing to do with the kids. The weather is perfect for it."

Bryce was kinda curious about the lake and wondered why Allora had never arranged for the kids to go spend time out there. The only time they were up close was at the end of that disastrous hike, but all they did was walk around it. Of course, there was a pool on the estate with a waterfall and everything, and was certainly much safer for swimming.

The pinched look on Allora's face faded. She smiled up at Coach Lennox. "You are very perceptive, dear. And I do agree, the kids might enjoy a quick little jaunt on the water. I suppose it would be all right, as long as everyone stays in the boat. No swimming. And you absolutely must avoid the waterfall completely. Don't even go near it!"

"Of course. Thank you, ma'am!" Lennox ran his hand over his buzz cut, which had already grown out a tad. "Who wants to join me? The boat will only fit four but we can take turns."

Bryce was considering it until Jarrett's hand shot up, and then Sione's.

Hells no. Hard pass. Bryce would rather--what was it Averi had said to him once?--eat his own toe-jam than spend the morning with those dip-wads.

Bryce almost choked on his bacon when Graehm raised his hand. Why in heaven's name would that little nerd sign up for a day of torture?

Averi gave Graehm the side-eye. She obviously had other plans in mind for the little munchkin and he was trying to get out of it. Those two had been up to something lately. Bryce had spotted them sneaking around, disappearing for chunks of time, shutting up whenever he came around. And he knew there wasn't any romantic hanky-panky going on between them either.

He vowed to find out their secret.