Tail Spin

Lesson

"Feel your shadow taking shape and extending out." George instructed in the dimly lit room. Roger followed the instructions to a T as his shadow took form and moved about. "Very good." George said. "You have a knack for this." Christian has his eyes shut tight as he attempts to do the same, but nothing happened. "Perhaps a short break is in order." He offered.

Christian groaned as Roger stretched his stiff limbs. "That was easier than I thought would be."

"How come you can do it, and I can't?" Christian asked annoyed.

"What can I say?" Roger said. "Some people got it. And some people don't."

"What am I supposed to do now? You guys have taught me squat. And I'm unable to do shadow magic." then a thought popped into his head. "How about you pretend to be me? And when Graham approaches you, you and Harry wham him one."

"Graham?"

"The blood drainer. So, what do you say?"

Roger snorted. "I would never want to be you. Not even for a million dollars."

"Oh, come on." Christian exasperated. "It would only be temporary. Plus, you get to save a life."

"Yeah, right." Roger said. "Besides, I would be found out as soon as that bastard tries sucking my blood."

"Such a supportive brother." Christian spoke sarcastically.

"Don't get your panties tied in a knot." Roger said to him. "We'll figure out something."

"It better be soon, and something I can learn."

"Yeah. Yeah." Roger sounded bored.

"Aren't you the least bit concerned that I could be murdered out there?"

"We're not that lucky." Roger's voice drooped ever so slightly.

Christian pointed at his youngest brother. "See! Admit it! You would miss me."

"Whatever you say." They were interrupted when Roger's cell phone vibrated in his jean pocket. "Yo." Roger greeted whoever's on the other line. "We're taking a break, why? What do you mean the car won't start? Can't you guys take a taxi or an Uber? Can't you borrow the phone there and have Troy and dad pick you guys up? Okay. Fine. And I'll take the twerp with me, so he can take a look at it and see what can be done." Roger hung up. "Looks like we're going to have to cancel the rest of our lesson for today."

"Why?" Christan asked.

"Jacob and John are stranded out in the middle of nowhere with no cell phone reception, so they need us to head out there. You can take a look and see if you can fix dad's town car. If not, we'll pick those two yahoos up and call a tow truck when we get back into town."

"You gotta be kidding."

"Afraid not."

"Couldn't they have hitched a ride with the other guests?"

A grin formed on Roger's face. "Those snobby self-absorbed tycoons, give them a ride? You already killed me with the drawings on your face this morning. Don't make me laugh some more." Christian blustered before following Roger out of the family library and headed downstairs to explain the situation to their dad and their guest.

"I understand." George said in the den. "We shall try again tomorrow. How does ten in the morning sound?"

Christian frowned a bit. "I got work tomorrow around that time. Can we do the lesson afterwards?"

Roger scoffed at Christian. "No way in hell."

Christian narrowed his eyes at Roger. "And why not?"

"Cause then I'll miss the lesson since I work around the time you get out."

"Now. Now." George spoke. "I can be flexible and do one on one lessons with both of you."

"Thank you, old friend." Calvin said. "It is much appreciated."

George smiled. "No problem. Now, is it alright for me and Troy to catch up on old times?"

Calvin smiled back. "You two sure can. Troy." Calvin called out and the pale zombie arrived with a tray of snacks in his hands.

"Yes master."

"You and George may catch up with one another since my sons need to go fetch my other sons. And they are taking the car."

"Is that really necessary?" Troy asked.

"How else would they get to Shermans Oak?"

"But, my car."

"It'll be fine."

"But master."

"No buts."

"Is this really necessary?" Troy asked again.

George emerged and wrapped his arm around him. "It sure is. Now, let's have those snacks and talk in the dining hall." Begrudgingly, Troy allowed George to escort him to the other room.

"We need to figure out what's going on between those two." Christian said.

"Yeah, we do." Roger agreed with him. "But that'll have to wait till later. Now, let's go."

They went to the garage, to fetch a toolbox as well as the spare keys to the Cruella DeVille car. Christian stuffed the toolbox in the trunk. Shut it. And hopped into the shotgun seat. "Off to Shermans Oak we go."

Roger inserted the key, turned the ignition on, and put it into gear.