The Wayward Gifted - Broken Point

by Mike Hopper

  “I like the name. I think it’s perfect.”

  Steuart and Sam looked out the window towards the river.

  “That’s it,” Steuart said to his sister.

  Together they both said the name aloud several times, “Sam-Steuart.”

  There was a burst of snow over the river—a white out.

  Steuart turned towards Ceil. “Wow, the snow’s coming down now. Look...” Ceil was gone. “Where did she go? Did you see her leave?” Steuart asked his sister.

  “No.”

  “Why didn’t she tell us?”

  “Maybe she forgot something and had to run.”

  The snow settled as quickly as it began. Steuart and Sam continued looking at the river. “Ceil’s nice letting us play here. I wonder why she never had any kids.”

  Sam shrugged.

  “Why would you build a tree house when you don’t have children?”

  “She said it was here when she moved in.”

  “Maybe, but that’s not what she said first. I don’t know about some of the things she says.”

  Sam shrugged again, “I do like having a place to bring Ed. It’s nice to be able to talk without worrying about who’s listening. I still have a million questions. Maybe this is a good time. Where's Ed?”

  “Oops, I left him at the house with Trista.”

  “Would you like for me to go back and get them?”

  “No, don’t worry about it. He’s probably taking a nap.”

  Looking out the window, Sam noticed a bench on the side of the river. “Did you see that earlier?”

  “Huh? No, I’ve never seen it before. Where’s our house?”

  Sam let out a big sigh. Steuart continued looking out the window. They looked at one another and smiled. “It’s hard to see from here when there’s so much snow.”

  The children continued looking, “Steuart, we have a tree house. It has our name. This is so much fun.” Sam’s smile turned to frown, “I just wish Trista were well.”

  “We won’t give up. We’ll continue looking until we find someone who can help.”

  “Are you sure-as-Matt?” Sam asked.

  Twice again the children said the phrase together, “Sure-as-Matt. Sure-as-Matt.” The snow and the wind picked up.

  “How would you like some furniture in here?” Ceil asked. “Now that we have that basket I think we could pull up a few chairs and a little table.”

  Sam and Steuart looked at one another, “Where did you come from?” Steuart quizzed Ceil.

  “The stork brought me.”

  “No, not that,” Steuart rolled his eyes. “Where did you go?”

  “What do you mean? I haven’t gone anywhere.”

  The children exchanged glances.

  “This is weird,” Sam said.

  “It’s getting a lot colder,” Ceil said. “Anyone care for another cup of hot tea by the fire?”

  * * *

  “You were gone,” Steuart insisted. “Ceil, I’m not playing with you. One minute we were all in the tree house and the next minute, you weren’t there. Where did you go? You disappeared.”

  “I didn’t go anywhere. All I can say is that you were excited and completely immersed in the moment. I’m certain that’s what happened.”

  Steuart shook his head and pursed his lips. “I don’t know. I looked and I didn’t see you.”

  After enjoying tea and a few minutes by the fire, Sam asked Ceil, “Is it okay if we go back to the tree house for more playtime?”

  “I’ll ask Roger to walk with you and help Steuart use the lift. When Steuart’s ready to come down you can walk up and get Roger or me. Please do not try to do it without us.”

  Walking towards the tree house Steuart asked, “Sam, do you think Ceil’s confused like Della?”

  “No, not at all. We all forget things from time to time.”

  “What do you mean? I don’t forget things.”

  “We just left Ed and Trista in the kitchen for the second time today. What do you call that?”

  “Should we go back?”

  “No. This won’t take long. I’d like to try an experiment.”

  Roger helped Steuart into the basket and hoisted him up. Once inside, Sam held the sign. “What were we doing just before the white out?”

  “We were saying our names. We said Sam-Steuart, Sam-Steuart. Why?”

  “I have a suspicion.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I just want to try something. Let’s do it again and see what happens.”

  “Sam-Steuart,” They said the name together once. The tree shook just a bit. Nothing else happened.

  “Oh well,” Sam said.

  “What were you expecting?”

  “Nothing really. Not expecting, just hoping. I thought I figured things out.” Sam shrugged her shoulders. “I’m disappointed.”

  “I’m bored. Let’s go back to the house. Better than that, how about a quick ride downtown? I’d like to say hello to Mr. Felphul.”

  “Good idea. I don’t think we need their help. I can do this by myself.”

  The process was a bit challenging, but Sam was able to work the pulleys successfully. At the bottom of the tree house, Steuart exited the basket and removed his sling.

  “What are you doing?”

  “I don’t need that stupid thing.”

  “What are you talking about? Of course, you need it.”

  “I don’t,” Steuart shook his head. “My arm’s okay. Look, I don’t need it.”

  “Don’t be stupid. You have to wear it until the doctor tells you it’s okay to stop using it.”

  “Look,” Steuart waved his arm with no difficulty. “My arm is fine.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “...as Matt,” Steuart smiled.

  “Mother will be have a fit if you’re injured again. I’m getting tired of having her angry with me all the time.”

  “Seriously, I’m sure-as-Matt.”

  “Where’s my bike?” Sam asked. “I left it here.”

  “No, you didn’t. We left it at the house. Remember?”

  “Oh, yeah. Would you rather ride or walk?”

  “We can get the bike when we come back,” Steuart moved his arm about. “This is great. Mother’s going to be amazed that my arm is okay.”

  “She’ll probably make you wear the sling until you see the doctor.”

  “I hope not.”

  Walking into town Steuart suggested stopping at their favorite coffee and sweet shop—Franklins.

  “I don’t have much money,” Sam said.

  “Every time we come downtown things look different. I’m turned around.”

  “It’s just the snow, that’s all. We’ve had so much snow this week.”

  “Do you see Franklins?” In its place stood Kinnflars Florist.

  “We’re on the wrong street,” Sam pointed to a sign. “Franklin’s is on Ashley.”

  They walked one street over and then two more streets before walking another two blocks. Sam stopped and looked in the opposite direction. “I’m completely turned around.” She stopped a woman on the street and asked for directions.

  “Oh, dear. I’m sorry. I don’t know that street. What are you looking for?”

  “Franklin Sweets and Coffee.”

  “I’m sorry dear, I’ve never been there. Bellamy has so many coffee houses. I have trouble keeping up with all of them.”

  “Bellamy?”

  “Of course,” the woman nodded. “Are you okay? Are you lost?”

  “No.” Sam shook her head. “We’re fine. My brother and I just moved here a few months ago. We’re learning our way around.”

  “I see. Just remember the city is laid out like a grid. It’s easy to get around once you do a little exploring. Are you certain you don’t need help?”

  “We’re fine,” Steuart said.

  Sam nodded, “It’s okay. We can retrace our steps.”

  “Okay then. I hate to leave you, but I need to move al
ong. I have an appointment around the block and I’m already fifteen minutes late. You children stay safe. Be careful. We’re expecting a lot of snow this afternoon and tonight.”

  “Steuart,” Sam looked at her brother.

  “I know what you’re about to say.”

  “We traveled.”

  For several minutes, Sam and Steuart stood in the snow and looked at the town. Sam felt the chill around her feet. She finally broke the silence, “Let’s walk to Dr. Klesel’s office.”

  “Good idea.”

  Sam and Steuart passed several people as they hiked through the snow. They walked through town, down the path, across the bridge and over to the towers. They found two tall buildings, but these buildings didn’t look like Dr. Klesel’s. They were older and maybe, not as tall. The children walked in and looked at the front register. Dr. Klesel’s name was missing. A guard asked if he could help. “We’re here to see Dr. Klesel,” Steuart said.

  “I don’t believe we have a resident by that name.”

  “Resident?” Sam asked.

  “Yes.”

  “What is this place?” Steuart asked.

  “River Towers Retirement Community.”

  “I see,” Steuart said. “Sam we need to retrace our steps.”

  “Are you lost?”

  “No, sir,” Sam said. “We’re new in town. We’re just exploring things and learning our way around.”

  “You’ve chosen a heck of a day to be out. This might not be the best time for you to be exploring. Bad weather’s coming. You’d be wise to go home and save your exploring for another day.”

  The children walked outside and decided to go to their house. It wasn’t there. A vacant lot sat on the river.

  “We should find a place to sit where we can sort things out,” Steuart said.

  “Let’s go back to town and sit in a coffee shop.”

  Along the way, Steuart stopped and read a shop sign, “Davey Ellis—toys, games and stuffed animals.” He looked at the window, “Oh my gosh, Sam, look.”

  Sam stopped and stood speechless. Steuart didn’t move. Sam moved in closer. Della Ivy’s doll stood in the back corner of the window.

  “Let’s go inside,” Sam said.

  “No, let’s not. This is close enough.”

  Sam looked at her brother, “I just had a thought.”

  “I’ll listen as long as it has nothing to do with Della.”

  “Not about Della. I’m thinking about Trista.”

  “I don’t know what more we can do.”

  “I’d like to know where she came from.” Sam reached into her backpack and pulled out a business card. It read Trista Petrina, Works of Fine Art. Sam took a deep breath, “The address is on Halsey.”

  “That’s where we were.”

  “Can we go back? I’d like to see where she worked.”

  “I wish they were with us.”

  Sam and Steuart walked to Halsey and counted the numbers until reaching Trista’s studio. It was just above a local restaurant. Sam reached for the exterior door, “It’s locked.”

  “What did you expect? She’s not here.” Steuart peered in through the glass door and looked at a stairway leading to the second floor.

  Sam let out a big sigh, “I was hoping another artist might be here, maybe a friend of hers working in the same studio. I thought we might be able to talk with someone and get some answers. I wish we could go inside and see her studio. I wish we could see Trista.” Sam began to cry.

  “Me too.” Steuart put his arm around his sister. “It’s okay.”

  “No, it’s not. I still don’t understand what happened. I should never have left her alone in my room.”

  “It’s an awful thing, but there isn’t anything we can do about it today. We need to go back to the tree house. It’s getting dark. You know how upset Mother gets if we’re late coming home.”

  SIXTEEN

  “Get in the basket,” Sam said. “I’ll pull you up.”

  “I’m fine. I can climb.”

  “Okay,” Sam sighed. “I wish Ed was with us. He could explain what’s happening.

  “We need a guide.”

  “I wish Trista was here, too. I wish she hadn’t gotten hurt. I’ll never understand what happened.” Sam climbed up the steps and stood in the middle of the tree house. “Steuart, do you remember what we were doing when we traveled?”

  “We used the sign.”

  Sam moved to the back of the tree house and opened her backpack.

  “I made it here on the floor.” She pointed to the sign, “While I was looking at colors, you worked on anagrams. What did you come up with for Sam-Steuart?”

  “You’ve forgotten? How could you forget?” Steuart huffed.

  “It’s been a long day.”

  Steuart placed the Sam-Steuart sign on the floor. He rearranged the letters. They recited the words together, “sure-as-Matt.”

  Sam gasped. “Sure-as-Matt, that’s it.”

  “Sure-as-Matt,” Steuart nodded. They repeated the phrase three times. The tree house became quiet.

  * * *

  Sam stood alone in the tree house, and gasped. The train was passing. She looked outside and down the ladder. She walked up to the house.

  “Is Steuart ready for me?” Ceil asked.

  “Not yet. We’d like to play a while longer. I came to get our dolls.”

  “Are you sure it’s not too cold to be out there?”

  “We won’t play much longer. We’re just finishing a game.”

  “Okay then, let me know when Steuart’s ready to come down. I’m going to be leaving for an appointment, but Roger will be here. He can help you. Don’t let Steuart come down without our help. Understand?”

  Understood.” Sam picked up the dolls and walked to the tree house. Climbing up the steps she pulled Ed from her bag and explained what happened. “I’ve lost my little brother.”

  “I don’t believe you two. What made you think you could travel alone? Are you completely nuts?”

  Sam began to cry, “We’re not nuts. We’re not broken. It was an accident. I didn’t realize what I was doing. I was playing. Ed, I have to get Steuart home now. Can you help me? Please?”

  “Calm down,” Ed leaned against the wall. “I’m sure that Steuart’s fine. There’s no need to worry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  “Are you supposed to say that because you work as a guide?”

  “It is true that I have extensive experience calming travelers during times of distress and great difficulty. However, there is no need to catastrophize.”

  “It seems like a good time to me. My brother is missing. He’s lost.”

  “No,” Ed shook his head, “Steuart is not lost. He’s in Bellamy. We know where to find him.”

  “Let me try to explain that to my mother. We need to find Steuart and go home before we get into trouble.”

  “This is not a problem. We’ll go back for him now and have you both home in time for dinner. What’s your password?”

  “Password?”

  “What are the words you and Stew Boy used to transport?”

  “Sam-Steuart, Sam-Steuart, Sam-Steuart.”

  Sam found herself standing alone in the tree house. “Oh great. I’m alone, again.”

  Sam heard a rumble behind the door, “You should have waited for me. We have to say the words together. Did you find Steuart?”

  “He’s not here.”

  At the bottom of the tree house Sam and Ed searched the area. Steuart was gone. “I’m guessing that you did the same thing with Steuart,” Ed said.

  “What’s that?”

  “I think you were out of sync when you chanted. He probably traveled at a different rate of speed.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “My guess is that Steuart is now back in Maybell looking for you. He probably walked home while you were at the house talking with Ceil.”

  “Really?”

  “I’m a guide. I understand these things
far better than you think I do.”

  “We should just go back? He’ll be waiting at home?”

  “That’s my best guess.”

  “Guess? We’re guessing?”

  “I keep telling you this isn’t an exact science. He’ll probably be back at the tree house or at Ceil’s once he realizes you aren’t home.”

  Sam was frustrated. She wanted to find Steuart and she wanted to make sure he was okay.

  “Let’s do this,” she said.

  “What’s the return anagram?” Sam started to respond, “No,” Ed said. “Don’t say it yet. We don’t want to travel separately again. Do you remember the three most important things a comedian needs to know?”

  “I’m not a comedian.”

  “We’ll go though it again.”

  “Why?”

  “This is a teaching moment. Pay attention this time because this applies to travel as well as comedy. First, know your audience. Second, timing is everything. Third—and this is by far the most important thing—it is not an exact science.” Ed held up a finger to emphasize each point.

  Sam nodded.

  “Now, go ahead and write your phrase on a piece of paper. We’ll say it together on the count of three.”

  Sam reached into her backpack. “I have it here.”

  She showed Ed the phrase. He counted to three. They began, “Sure-as-Matt. Sure-as-Matt...”

  “Wait, wait,” Ed stopped Sam again. “Don’t say it.”

  “What now? We don’t have time to be silly.”

  “I agree. Just a minute, I need to think about this.”

  “What is there to think about?”

  Ed cocked his head and looked at Sam, “One of us should stay here while the other one travels.”

  Sam raised an eyebrow, “If I’m not home soon my mother will have people out looking for me.”

  “That’s why I should stay. You should go. I’ll wait here for a while and see if Steuart shows up. If he doesn’t, I’ll go out and look for him. He’ll probably be with you, but this is the best idea I have. We’ll have him home before dark.”

  “I better go. Hopefully he’ll be there looking for me when I get home.”

  “Are you ready?” Ed asked.

  “I’m ready. See you in a while.”

  Sam clenched her fist, closed her eyes and chanted, “Sure-as-Matt. Sure-as-Matt. Sure-as-Matt.”