Tailspin Anthology

Theo

Sarah introduces her new bow to her family.

"This is Theodore." Sarah introduced a boy with freckles that resembles a twelve-year-old.

"It's nice to meet you all." His high-pitched voice sounded timid.

"This is a joke, right?" Roger asked when Jessie jabbed him with her elbow.

"It's a pleasure meeting you, Theodore." Jessie told the newcomer.

"You can call me Theo." He spoke. "Theodore is quite a mouthful to say."

"I'm here!" Ashley announced as she entered the family mansion. "And I brought wine to help us get better acquainted with Sarah's new bow." She spotted Theo. "Hello, little boy. Sorry, but we already bought girl scout cookies on Saturday. So, you'll have to tell your cub scout leader that you're out of luck." Theo blushed as Roger and Jacob sniggered as quietly as possible.

"This is Theo." Sarah told Ashley.

"Get out of here."

"Ashley."

Ashley smiled and stretched her hand out to Theo. "I'm sorry about the mix-up."

"It's okay." Theo said. "For two centuries people have gotten my age confused."

Sarah's siblings' eyes widened. "You're two-hundred-years-old?" Jacob asked him.

"I come from a long line of sorcerers so, yes."

"That's incredible." Ashley spoke. "You guys would make a fortune in the cosmetics industry." She felt the wine swish in her hands. "Right. Does anyone want a drink while I'm in the kitchen?" Everyone but Theo accepted her offer.

"He doesn't drink alcohol." Sarah explained.

"He doesn't?"

Theo looked bashful. "I was never one to try liquor. Do you have orange juice by chance?"

Ashley smiled wide. "I think we drank the last of it yesterday. But we have plenty of Capri sun that we keep stashed for the kiddos."

"That works."

"I'll be right back." Ashley retreated to the kitchen.

"I better make sure she doesn't try sneaking any alcohol into your drink as a joke." Sarah kissed Theo on the head tenderly. "I'll be right back." She gave the others a threatening look.

"We'll behave ourselves." Jacob told her.

"Have some faith in us, would you?" Roger added making Sarah roll her eyes at them.

"So, Theo." Jacob wrapped his arm around Theodore's neck. "Tell us how you met our beautiful sister."

"You see," Theo started. "I work at the potion shop that my parents own on Second Street next to the human juice store. I met your sister once when I accidentally bumped into her and spilled my drink all over her. I apologized profusely and thought she would yell at me, but she smiled and assured me it was okay."

"Ooh. Romantic comedy story." Ashley reentered with drinks in her hands with Sarah behind her. "Tell me more."

Theo blushed as he smiled. "After I got her a butt-load of napkins for her top. I asked her if she would have dinner with me as a way of apologizing. And we ended up going out a couple a times a week after that." His blush darkened when Sarah handed his drink and held his hand.

"Huh." Ashley said. "I would've liked a little more detail than that."

Jessie elbowed Ashley in the ribs. "Anyways, you work at a potion shop. That must be exciting."