Josephine grinned, giving him a playful nudge. “Topher loved this game as a kid. He used to beat all the adults.”
“Of course I did,” Topher said, practically bouncing into his seat. “It’s been a while, but I’m ready to reclaim my title.”
We started playing, and it didn’t take long for Topher’s competitive streak to kick into high gear. He was already eyeing the board like it was a chess match. Josephine, though, was no slouch, and she wasn’t holding back, either.
“So, Topher,” I asked with a grin, “did you really throw around words like ‘ubiquitous’ when you were eight?”
He flashed a smile. “I didn’t just use ‘ubiquitous.’ I spelled it on a triple-word score.”
Josephine laughed. “He was insufferable. The teachers didn’t know what to do with him.”
Topher smirked, not even denying it. “What can I say? I liked words.”
“You mean, you liked showing off,” I teased.
He laid down the word ‘zodiac’ on, predictably, a triple-word score. “Some things never change.”
The game continued, and Josephine shared stories about how Topher would correct his teachers and successfully convince them to extend recess.
Josephine’s laugh softened as she glanced at Topher, a flicker of worry crossing her face. “You were always so serious, even as a kid. Always concerned about things no child should have to worry about.”
Topher’s smile faded for a moment, his gaze dropping to the game board. “Well, someone had to keep things in order.”
I felt a pang of curiosity and concern. What had happened when he was a kid? What could have made him feel so responsible, even back then? Whatever it was, its weight still seemed to cling to him.
The tension was palpable, and I could see the shadows of the past creeping back between them. I wanted to break the heaviness.
“Wait, wait,” I said. “Are you telling me the same Topher Brodie who argues about the importance of work once argued for more recess?”
Topher’s face broke into a sheepish smile, and Josephine’s eyes twinkled as the mood lifted. “Yes,” she said, chuckling. “He had a whole presentation—charts and everything.”
Topher rolled his eyes, and I could see the tension ease from his shoulders. “What can I say? I’ve always been persuasive.”
The doorbell rang, and my heart skipped a beat. Topher and I jumped up to answer it, and there stood Gladys, the nosiest neighbor in history, holding the massive box with the inflatable pool float and a suspicious look on her face.
“What’s this?” she asked, raising an eyebrow, handing the box over to Topher.
Topher raised an eyebrow right back. “Are you a delivery driver now, Gladys?”
Gladys huffed, her hands on her hips. “I intercepted it! Thought it might be something interesting. So, what’s the beach lounger for?”
Before Topher could answer, I blurted out, “It’s, uh… for Halloween. We’re doing a haunted beach theme this year.”
Gladys looked intrigued. Then she winked at me. “A haunted beach, huh?”
I gave her my bestthis-is-totally-normalsmile. “Yep! You know, spooky skeletons, surfboards… It’s going to be... Scary.”
Topher shot me a look that practically screamed,Seriously? Spooky surfboards? That’s what you’re going with? Why not just tell her the pool floatie is for the pool at my mansion?He quickly shoved the box behind the door, clearly trying to hide it before Gladys asked any more questions. “Anyway, thanks for bringing it over.”
But Gladys, being Gladys, wasn’t done. She pushed her way in, her curiosity far from satisfied. “A haunted beach. Josephine always comes up with the best decorations. I can’t wait to see what you do this year.”
Me too, Gladys, me too.I already dreaded figuring out how we’d pull this off.
“Oh, hello, Josephine, darling!” Gladys darted over to the kitchen and gave her a quick hug. “Scrabble, huh? I’ll leave you three to it.”
As soon as the door closed, Topher shook his head. “Gladys is so nosy. How do you put up with her?”
Josephine chuckled. “Gladys is just a caring neighbor.”
