10. Wizard’s Wand-3
631 Words
It was a bright and beautiful Sunday morning. Jacob hadn’t set his alarm since yoga didn’t happen on Sundays. Aunt Iz believed in taking a day of rest. She and the professor didn’t teach, Molly didn’t cook, and Samuel let the grounds grow wild. The students all caught up on their work or just took a nice relaxing day.
Jacob crawled lazily out of bed at half past ten, and even though he knew at least Aunt Iz and the professor must have been awake for hours, the house held the staggering stillness of sleep. Jacob didn’t even bother changing out of his pajamas before starting down to the kitchen. Only on Sundays were any of them allowed to eat without dressing for the day first.
Voices and rich peals of laughter lured him toward the kitchen before Jacob had even reached the first floor. He recognized that laugh. It was Emilia, and something was making her very happy. He thought of Dexter making her laugh like that, and his stomach tightened.
Jacob reached the kitchen and popped his head through the door, hoping Dexter was still in bed. He didn’t even have time to see who was in the kitchen before he was hit square in the face with a fist-full of flour. He sputtered and brushed his eyelids clean.
Emilia leaned on the counter grinning, and Claire rolled on the floor in fits of laughter, her face red from the lack of air.
“Morning to you too, Claire.” Jacob shook his head like a wet dog. Flour formed a cloud around him, sending Claire into a fresh fit of hysterics.
Claire shook her head and gasped. “No,” she said, struggling to form words. “No.” She pointed to Emilia.
Jacob turned to Emilia, but before he could say anything, he was hit in the chest with a fresh clump of flour.
Emilia laughed at Jacob’s shocked face, her glee daring him to retaliate.
“Oh, it’s on,” Jacob said, taking two long strides to the counter.
Emilia had already darted across the kitchen.
Jacob seized the bag of flour and chased Emilia in circles around the room, tossing flour at her like a maniacal flower girl. Jacob leaped over Claire, who lay on the floor threatening to suffocate at any moment. Finally, Jacob caught Emilia with one arm and, pinning her to his side, emptied the rest of the bag on her head as she shrieked. They tumbled to the floor, gasping and laughing.
There was a cough at the kitchen door. The laughter died instantly as they looked over to find Dexter standing in the doorway.
“Dex,” Emilia said breathlessly as she pushed herself off Jacob and stood. “We were going to make pancakes, but, well, I’m not very good at cooking.”
“My father is here to see Isadora, and he wanted to say hello to you. I’ll tell him you are indisposed.” Dexter turned to leave.
“I can get cleaned up.” Emilia followed him to the door.
“Don’t bother,” Dexter said. The door thumped shut behind him.
“Ablutere,” Emilia muttered, and all of the flour collected itself nicely into the trash can.
“Emi.” Jacob put his hand on her shoulder.
“I’m not hungry anymore. I think I’ll go shower.” She walked out of the room without looking back, but it didn’t matter. Jacob could hear the tears in her voice.
“Come on, Claire.” Jacob turned back to the kitchen. “I make great pancakes.”
As Jacob searched in the pantry for a fresh batch of flour, an unfamiliar voice spoke in the hallway. “Thank you for your time, Isadora. I will contact you again soon. Dexter, shouldn’t you be studying? I believe that is, after all, what you are here for.”
“Yes, Father.”
Dexter’s words were followed by the sound of footsteps and the front door closing.
“Ooh, burn,” Claire muttered from behind her mixing bowl, which had turned an interesting shade of fuchsia.
- Writer
