Tyche
Copyright© 2020 by Old Man with a Pen
Chapter 16
I, taking up cudgels, said... “you only look older ... but I was five when you were born.”
“Shit!” said Seven, “I do so hate it when you are right.”
Very noticeably, and with a wet finger, I chalked up a point in mid air...
... followed by a fist pump ... and a silent but noticeable “YES!”
Remember ... I’m 10.
Surprise said, “She’s got you there.” She sighed. “Hi, Seven.”
“Hi, Mom.”
“Ooo ... mom ... okay, you want something,” Surprise said, “What?”
“Who is Daddy?”
“John Beavers.”
“Who? She asked.
“John Beavers,” Surprise said. “It’s an old West Virginia name.”
“Beavers?”
“Yup,” Surprise agreed.
“Where’s he from?”
“Beavers Bottom, West Virginia,” and before Seven could ask... “About 25 miles from Frogmorton. Virginia ... north of Grundy.”
“A hick from the sticks?” Seven said, “Mom? How could you?”
“Easy ... I was drunk. First time for both, too.” Surprise said, “What I want to know is how you moved a tropical island to the Sea of Azov.”
“You’ll have to discuss that with the gods.” Seven said, “We’re scientists.”
That was a flat out statement.
And a bald-faced lie.
I was paying attention. Oh, I know ... nobody expects a high school freshman to pay attention to anything an adult says ... but ... and there is always a but ... it’s one of Murphy’s Laws ... so I said, “If you’re only scientists, where are the gods?”
Seven said, “You always were an inquisitive brat.” She gave a look that was like a bigger older sister would look if I had one. I didn’t ... all I had was her ... and JW’s and Mom’s five year old triplets. Seven just looked old ... she wasn’t ... but everybody who knew her thought she was.
“I don’t know where the gods are ... or where they hang out,” Seven said.
“Well,” Surprise said, “You are the closest thing we’ve got ... Tag ... you are it.”
And just about then, the local constabulary ... both of them ... came in and said, “We’ve got a situation. Surprise, don’t you have a diesel trash pump?”
“On the boat. Why?”
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