Read Online The Wayward Gifted - Broken Point by Mike Hopper, Donna Childree - Free Book Online Page B

ground, “Sam, I can’t let you do this by yourself. I’m your brother, your
only brother. Unfortunately, we have to look at the facts. I’ve not forgotten
what happened last time you asked for my help. I’ve not forgotten that Mother
grounded you for an entire month. I have also not forgotten what she said.”
    “What was that?”
    “She said you wouldn’t be the only one
grounded next time. She’ll ground me as your accomplice. As much as I may want
to help you, I also have to look at the facts.”
    “What facts are you talking about?”
    “Quite simply, the potential risk to my
freedom.” Steuart put his hands in his pockets. He walked closer to the tree.
“The potential cost is too high to do this for nothing.”
    “Three days are not nothing .”
    “They are if I end up grounded for a
month. We’re in a new place. This is a new day. We’re in a new city. I’m
thinking that my services are worth more than a few days of bed making
freedom.”
    Sam rolled her eyes and sighed.
    “I don’t want to begin my life in a new
city stuck inside of the house for a month with that Nanny Claire woman.”
Steuart made a face, “She makes me uncomfortable. I don’t care for her.”
    “I don’t either.”
    “I’d vomit daily if that happened. She
gives me the creeps. I couldn’t stand that, even if you were making my bed.
Also, Grandmother isn’t here to help talk Mother out of extreme punishment. We
both know that Grandmother’s the only one who can curb Mother’s draconian
ways.”
    “So, you won’t do it? Is that what
you’re saying?”
    “Simply this,” Steuart continued
walking around the tree. “If I’m putting myself at risk, I’m going to have to
insist on more than two or three days of compensation. That was fine in the old
days but not enough now. I don’t think so.” Steuart shook his head and walked towards
his bike.
    “Wait!”
    “What am I waiting for?”
    “Tell me what you want.”
    “Okay,” Steuart scratched his head and
frowned, “tell you what…” He bit his lip and then ran his tongue across his
teeth. He took another deep breath. “I’m willing to take the risk and lend a
hand…”
    “Yes! Thank you. Let’s get started.”
    “Hold on,” Steuart put his hands out.
“Don’t get excited too quickly.”
    “Great, what now?”
    “I know this is important to you and I
want to help.”
    “So, help me already.”
    “Not so fast. I would appreciate something
in return. How about making my bed for the next—three weeks.” Steuart
nodded, stood firm and repeated his demand, “Three weeks; I think that’s
appropriate compensation.”
    “I should have known. I’ve spent all
this time trying to appeal to your empathetic nature when all I needed was a
bribe. Thanks little brother.” Sam put her hands against the tree and took
another look. She breathed in the colors. She felt intoxicated by the
luminescence of the sun through the trees. She looked at her brother and
frowned, “Three weeks? That’s too long. You know that.”
    “Take it—or leaf it.” Steuart
chuckled.
    “Take it,” Sam whispered to herself and
touched the tree again. She looked at her brother, “Okay,” she nodded, “it will
be my pleasure to make your bed for three weeks.”
    Steuart shook his head. “You need to do
better than that.”
    “What? How can I be nicer than that?”
    “I need to hear you say: It will be my pleasure to make your bed for
the next three weeks . I don’t want to spend the next sixty years waiting
for payment.”
    “Fine,” Sam nodded. “It will be my
pleasure to make your bed for the next three weeks. You’ve got a deal. You get
three weeks of bed making in exchange for helping me in the tree house and also
keeping our secret.”
    “Okay,” Steuart stepped forward. He
walked towards the ladder and then hesitated. He turned back again and reached
for his bike.
    “Now what? Stop looking at your bike. We
have a deal. I’m getting tired of standing here.