Chapter 20: Unexpected Results

May, 1996

Two months had passed since Josh first found himself back in his ten-year-old body, navigating the delicate balance of reliving his childhood while carrying the weight of his adult memories. In that time, his family’s routine had shifted in subtle but meaningful ways. His mother, Dorothy, had settled into her new work schedule, enjoying mornings with her sons and evenings free from the late-night grind. The cushion provided by the lottery windfall had eased some of her stress, and it showed in her lighter demeanor and the warmth she now radiated around the house.

Monday morning arrived with its usual rhythm. The smell of frying bacon drifted through the house, mingling with the sound of faint laughter from the kitchen. Josh stirred in bed, the familiar hum of his mother’s morning routine pulling him from sleep. He stretched, swung his legs over the side of the bed, and made his way downstairs.

As he entered the kitchen, Dorothy stood at the stove, expertly flipping bacon, while the radio played softly in the background. Plates of toast and glasses of orange juice sat on the table, but Josh’s brothers were nowhere in sight.

“Morning, sweetheart,” Dorothy greeted, glancing over her shoulder with a warm smile. “You’re cutting it close today. Your brothers have already left for school.”

Josh grabbed a slice of toast and took a bite. “Morning, Mom. Guess I slept in a bit.”

Dorothy turned, a touch of curiosity in her eyes. “Well, finish up quickly. We’ve got to head out soon. Mr. Richards called this morning and wants to see us at the school.”

Josh blinked, caught off guard. “Mr. Richards? What for?”

“I was hoping you could tell me,” Dorothy said, crossing her arms as she leaned against the counter. “Did you get into trouble? Something you haven’t mentioned?”

Josh shook his head, swallowing his bite of toast. “No, nothing like that. It’s probably about those tests I took a few weeks ago.”

Dorothy’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “Tests? What tests? Why didn’t anyone tell me about this?”

Josh hesitated, then explained. “It was kind of sudden. Mrs. Thompson mentioned some tests, and before I knew it, Mr. Richards asked if I’d be willing to take them. They didn’t say much to me either.”

Dorothy’s lips pressed into a thin line, a mix of concern and curiosity flickering in her eyes. “And what kind of tests were these?”

Josh shrugged, keeping his tone light. “An IQ test and some assessments to see where I’m at academically. I think they’re trying to figure out how I’m doing in school.”

Dorothy sighed, shaking her head. “I wish they’d told me sooner. Well, I guess we’ll find out today. Finish up and let’s get going.”

Josh nodded, quickly finishing his breakfast. In a matter of minutes, they were out the door. The crisp morning air greeted them as they made their way to Dorothy’s car.

The drive to school was quiet, the rhythmic hum of tires on pavement filling the space between them. Dorothy occasionally glanced at Josh, her expression thoughtful.

“You’re sure this isn’t about anything bad?” she asked, breaking the silence.

“Positive,” Josh replied confidently. “It’s probably about the results and what they want to do next.”

Dorothy exhaled softly, her grip on the steering wheel loosening. “Alright. I trust you.”

Josh stared out the window as familiar streets and houses blurred past. He couldn’t shake the feeling that today could be a turning point—a moment that might reshape the path he was carefully laying out for his future.

The parking lot was already buzzing with activity as Dorothy pulled into a spot near the front entrance of the school. She cut the engine, and the faint sound of kids laughing and chattering on the playground drifted through the crisp morning air.

“Alright, let’s see what this is all about,” Dorothy said, her voice laced with both curiosity and concern.

Josh nodded, stepping out of the car and adjusting his backpack as they made their way to the main office. The familiar hum of the school’s fluorescent lights greeted them as they entered, the sound of a ringing phone and the steady clatter of a keyboard filling the space behind the reception desk.

Mrs. Thompson and Mr. Richards stood near the office door, engaged in quiet conversation. When they noticed Josh and Dorothy approaching, both turned, their expressions shifting from professional focus to warm acknowledgment.

“Good morning, Josh,” Mrs. Thompson greeted with a smile. “And you must be Mrs. Harlow. I’m Mrs. Thompson, Josh’s teacher.”

Dorothy extended her hand for a polite shake. “Nice to meet you. I understand we’re here because of some test results?”

Mr. Richards nodded and stepped forward, offering a firm handshake to Dorothy. “Good morning, Mrs. Harlow. I’m Mr. Richards, the assistant principal. Please, let’s head to my office.”

He led them down a short hallway to a modest office, its walls lined with educational posters and shelves filled with binders. A small table sat in the center with a few chairs around it.

“Please, have a seat,” Mr. Richards said as he gestured to the chairs. Once everyone was settled, he folded his hands on the table and leaned slightly forward. “Thank you for coming in today. I want to start by apologizing. It was an oversight on our part not to notify you about the testing earlier, Mrs. Harlow. Typically, these assessments are routine and don’t require much follow-up. But in Josh’s case, the results were extraordinary.”

Dorothy glanced at Josh, her brow furrowed. “Extraordinary? What kind of tests were these exactly?”

Mr. Richards pulled a folder from a stack on his desk and opened it, revealing several charts and documents. “Josh recently completed an IQ test and a series of academic assessments designed to evaluate his current knowledge and skills. These tests help us identify students who might need additional support or, in rare cases, those who are performing far beyond their grade level.”

Dorothy crossed her arms, her tone sharp but not unkind. “I see. And you’re saying Josh is one of those rare cases?”

Mr. Richards smiled, glancing briefly at Josh. “Exactly. To be blunt, Josh’s scores are some of the highest we’ve ever seen. His IQ score places him in the top one percent of students nationally, and his academic assessments show mastery of material far beyond the fourth-grade level.”

Dorothy’s eyes widened in surprise, and she turned to Josh. “Why didn’t you tell me about this earlier?”

Josh shrugged, trying to keep his tone casual. “Honestly, I didn’t know how big a deal it was. I figured it was just a regular test.”

Mr. Richards cleared his throat. “It’s understandable, Josh. The results themselves are impressive, but what concerns us now is how to proceed. Keeping Josh in a standard fourth-grade classroom would be a disservice to his potential. We want to ensure he’s appropriately challenged and engaged.”

Dorothy nodded slowly, her gaze shifting back to Mr. Richards. “So, what are our options?”

“We’re still reviewing the best course of action,” Mr. Richards explained. “One possibility is accelerated learning, where Josh could skip to a higher grade. Another option could involve specialized programs designed for gifted students. We’re also open to hearing what you and Josh think might work best.”

Dorothy sat back, processing the information. “This is a lot to take in,” she admitted. “I’m proud of you, Josh, but I want to make sure whatever decision we make is the right one for you.”

Josh, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke up. “I appreciate that, Mom. I want to do what’s best too. I’ve been feeling like I need more of a challenge.”

Mrs. Thompson, who had been observing quietly, chimed in. “Josh has shown remarkable focus and drive in class. I believe he’s ready for something more advanced.”

Mr. Richards nodded in agreement. “Why don’t we take some time to consider the options? The school year is almost over, and we can revisit this over the summer to plan the best path forward.”

Dorothy glanced at her son, then back at Mr. Richards. “That sounds fair. Please keep us informed. We’ll think it over and be ready to discuss it when the time comes.”

The meeting concluded with a sense of cautious optimism. As they left the office, Dorothy gave Josh a proud smile, squeezing his shoulder.

“Looks like you’ve been holding out on me, kiddo,” she teased gently.

Josh grinned. “Guess so.”

But inside, his mind was already racing with possibilities for the future.

Josh pushed open the front door, the familiar creak of the hinges announcing his arrival. He set his backpack down by the entryway and took a deep breath, catching the scent of lemon cleaner drifting from down the hall. It was a comforting smell, one that told him his mother was in full-on cleaning mode.

“Josh? That you?” Dorothy’s voice echoed from the bathroom.

“Yeah, Mom,” Josh called back, kicking off his shoes and walking toward the sound of her voice.

He found her crouched beside the tub, scrubbing the tiles with a sponge. She glanced up, a smile on her face, and pushed a strand of hair out of her eyes with her wrist.

“How was the rest of your day?” she asked, pausing her work to give him her full attention. “Anything interesting happen after our meeting with Mr. Richards?”

Josh leaned against the doorframe, shrugging lightly. “Not really. Just a regular day. Got through my classes without any issues.”

Dorothy nodded, her expression softening. “That’s good to hear. I was worried the whole test thing might have thrown you off.”

Josh shook his head. “Nah, it was fine. It’s not like they treated me any differently. Honestly, I’m still getting used to all this,” he admitted, his voice quieter.

Dorothy gave him a reassuring smile. “We’ll figure it out, Josh. One step at a time.” She went back to scrubbing for a moment, then paused again, as if remembering something. “Oh, by the way—Mr. Johnson called earlier.”

Josh’s eyebrows lifted. “Mr. Johnson? Did he say what he wanted?”

“No, just that he’d like you to stop by after school if you had the time,” Dorothy said, rinsing the sponge under the tap.

Josh considered this for a moment, curiosity piqued. “Alright. Anything else he said?”

Dorothy shook her head. “Nope, just that. He sounded like he was in a good mood, though.”

Josh straightened up, glancing around the bathroom. “Do you need any help in here before I head over? I can take over scrubbing duty.”

Dorothy chuckled, waving a gloved hand dismissively. “No, no, I’ve got this. You’ve been doing plenty around here already. Go see Mr. Johnson, but don’t forget to tell him I said hi.”

Josh hesitated for a second, then nodded. “Alright, if you’re sure. Thanks, Mom.”

Dorothy smiled warmly. “I’m sure. And hey, Josh?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m proud of you,” she said softly, her eyes meeting his. “You’ve been stepping up so much lately. It hasn’t gone unnoticed.”

Josh felt a swell of warmth at her words, though he tried to downplay it. “Just trying to help out where I can,” he said with a small grin.

Dorothy chuckled. “Well, it means a lot. Now go on, before Mr. Johnson starts wondering if you’ve forgotten about him.”

Josh smiled and gave a small wave as he headed back down the hall. He slipped on his shoes, grabbed his jacket, and stepped outside, the crisp afternoon air filling his lungs.

The short walk to Mr. Johnson’s house gave him a moment to reflect. He was grateful for these moments of normalcy, of connection with his family and the people around him. Approaching the familiar front porch, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation. Whatever Mr. Johnson wanted to discuss, Josh knew it would be important.

Josh approached Mr. Johnson’s house with a sense of purpose. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows over the small yard, and a breeze stirred the leaves on the old oak tree by the porch. He knocked on the door, the familiar sound echoing softly.

After a few moments, the door creaked open, and Mr. Johnson greeted him with a warm smile. “Josh! Good to see you, son. Come on in.”

Josh stepped inside, noting the cozy atmosphere. The faint scent of pipe tobacco lingered, mingling with the smell of leather from the old recliner by the window. The chessboard on the coffee table was set mid-game, as if waiting for a worthy opponent.

“Thanks, Mr. Johnson,” Josh said, taking a seat on the couch.

Mr. Johnson eased into his chair, his movements steady despite his age. “I’ve been waiting to talk to you. My lawyer friend got everything squared away with the trust. We’re ready to move forward.”

Josh’s face lit up. “That’s great to hear. Let’s get started.”

Without hesitation, Josh activated his wish power. A transparent screen materialized in his mind, the familiar interface waiting for his command. He focused and initiated a search for the winning lottery numbers for the upcoming draw. The numbers appeared almost instantly, glowing faintly as if etched into his vision.

He pulled out a slip of paper and began writing them down. “Here you go,” he said, handing the paper to Mr. Johnson.

The older man adjusted his glasses, studying the numbers carefully. “So, how much is this one going to be for?”

Josh leaned back, his expression calm but confident. “Half a million.”

Mr. Johnson’s eyes widened as he lowered the paper. “Half a million?” he repeated, his tone laced with disbelief. “You’re absolutely sure about that?”

Josh chuckled. “As sure as I can be. If I wanted, I could pull the numbers for the jackpot—something in the multi-millions.” He paused, his voice taking on a more serious note. “But I don’t want that, Half a million is enough.”

Mr. Johnson nodded slowly, absorbing the information. “Smart thinking, kid. You’re right—But still, half a million...” He let out a low whistle. “That’s a life-changing amount.”

Josh nodded. “Exactly. Once the trust claims it, I want to invest $250,000 in Apple. It might seem like a gamble now, but by 2024, that investment will be worth about $82 million.”

Mr. Johnson sat back, visibly stunned. “Eighty-two million? From just two hundred and fifty grand? That’s ... incredible.”

Josh smirked. “That’s just the start. There’s another company I want to invest in, but they won’t go public until January 1999. That one will make Apple look small in comparison.”

Mr. Johnson raised an eyebrow. “You’re telling me you’ve got the blueprint to build an empire, and you’re only ten years old on paper.”

Josh leaned forward, his tone serious. “I could easily be a billionaire if I wanted to, but that’s not the point. Right now, I’m laying the groundwork. I don’t want the money to change who I am or how people see me.”

He paused, his gaze dropping slightly. “When I meet Katie again, I want her to fall in love with me for who I am—not for the money or the lifestyle it could bring. That has to stay separate.”

Mr. Johnson studied Josh closely, his eyes filled with a mixture of admiration and concern. “You’ve got a wise head on those young shoulders, Josh. Most people wouldn’t be able to resist the temptation to flaunt their wealth.”

Josh shrugged, a small smile tugging at his lips. “I’ve made my share of mistakes, Mr. Johnson. This time around, I’m trying to do things right.”

Mr. Johnson reached out, placing a hand on Josh’s shoulder. “And you’re doing a fine job of it. I’ll make sure my lawyer friend handles everything discreetly. The trust will claim the winnings, and no one will know where the money came from.”

Josh nodded, a weight lifting from his shoulders. “Perfect. Once the money’s in place, we’ll move on to the next steps. Thanks for everything, Mr. Johnson. I couldn’t do this without you.”

Mr. Johnson smiled warmly. “It’s my pleasure, Josh. You’re like family to me now, and I’ll always have your back.”

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the gravity of their plans sinking in.

“By the way,” Josh said, breaking the quiet. “Make sure to double-check with your lawyer that everything is airtight. No loose ends.”

Mr. Johnson nodded firmly. “Already on it. He’s one of the best.”

Josh stood, a sense of resolve settling over him. “Alright. Let’s make this happen.”

As he headed for the door, Mr. Johnson called after him. “Josh, remember—you’re playing a long game here. Keep your head on straight, and you’ll come out on top.”

Josh glanced back, a determined smile on his face. “Don’t worry, Mr. Johnson. I’ve got this.”

Josh walked up the driveway, his gaze locked on the unfamiliar car. The sleek black sedan gleamed under the afternoon sun, its polished surface reflecting the surrounding neighborhood. It wasn’t a car he’d seen before, and something about it felt ... off. His stomach twisted slightly as he brushed the feeling aside and headed inside.

The comforting aroma of something baking hit him immediately, but it did little to ease his nerves. He froze as he heard voices drifting from the kitchen. His mother’s warm laughter mixed with the low, measured tones of a man.

Josh’s heart pounded. That voice. He knew it instantly.

Danny.

He felt his stomach churn, a cold sweat forming on the back of his neck. In his first life, Danny hadn’t appeared until much later, around halfway through fifth grade. But now, here he was, sitting in their kitchen like he belonged. Why now? Had Josh’s changes to the timeline somehow drawn him here earlier?

Steeling himself, Josh walked toward the kitchen, each step heavy with dread. He stopped in the doorway, and there he was.