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Callan,
You’ve always been the foundation of our family. There’s nothing you touch that doesn’t turn to gold. We become too comfortable in life, though, so you’re being sent to a place filled with true magic — Seaville, California. You must follow the path this journey takes you on to receive a gift that will last a lifetime. Go to the Mermaid Cafe, and all will be revealed. Build it, and they will come.
Everyone’s silent for a few moments when I finish reading. Zach’s finally the one to break the tension with a joke. I appreciate it more than words can say.
“Are you supposed to build a baseball field and bring back Babe Ruth?”
“Where is Seaville?” Blaze asks.
“I remember this place. We all went with Gramps multiple times when we were young. I have to admit, it’s a pretty great place, but I don’t know what he wants me to build,” I say.
“Oh yeah, the small town on the beach. It was a hidden gem,” Blaze says as he leans back and smiles.
“Are you supposed to do a resort there?” Zach asks as he looks down at the figures on the table.
“Someone wants you building something there,” Blaze says with a shrug. “We should all go. I bet that will bring back some good memories.”
“I want to see it,” Cori readily agrees.
I sit back and think. “I do like scouting new locations. I haven’t thought about Seaville in a long time. I don’t like someone I don’t know dictating what I’m supposed to do though,” I say, torn on whether I should do this or not.
“You can’t turn away from this, Callan. This is your challenge and you have to follow through on it. You have to admit it worked out pretty great for me.”
“Even though you were almost too foolish to see the prize,” I point out.
“But he did in the end,” Cori says, quickly defending Blaze. He almost walked away from her for good. We all thought he was an idiot. Cori forgave him right away and they really are happy together. Their relationship has made my brother a much more tolerable man.
I let out a long sigh, reluctant to play along with this game. “I don’t know, you guys. This whole thing seems so damn foolish. I could ignore it.”
Blaze shakes his head emphatically. “You can’t ignore this, Cal. These boxes were left on Gramps’s desk for a reason. Whether it was Gramps, an old woman in a lake, or fate, I think you’d be messing with destiny if you ignore it.”
“Why do we have to follow these rules? Maybe Zach should open his box now and we can compare,” I say.
Zach shakes his head. “Nope. I know how karma works, and I’m not going there. I might not believe in magic, but there’s enough doubt in me to not mess with it.”
“You’re ready for this, Cal. Trust me, you’ve been searching for something more in your life, and this is your chance. Maybe it’s nothing more than a foolish game. Or maybe it’s more. You won’t know if you don’t play along. You have to admit, it all worked out for me,” he repeats. It really did, and knowing this makes me less hesitant.
I look at the card in my hand, and a surge of fear and excitement rolls through me, resting in my stomach. Maybe my brothers are right. Maybe this is exactly what I need to get out of this rut I’m in. My life has been monotonous and boring for a very long time. I’ve been searching for something more. It’s being handed to me, and I’d be foolish to pass it up.
Determination settles over me as I carefully place the card back into the envelope and tuck it in my pocket. I’m not sure who wrote it, but I don’t want to toss it away. I look up at my brothers who are as intense as I am right now.
“Okay, I’ll play along.”
They both beam at me before Blaze reaches out and claps me hard on the back. “Thatta boy, brother. You’re going to love this.”
What isn’t Blaze telling me? Another shiver rushes through me. I’m going to hurt him if this leads to something I can’t stop. I have to remind myself I’m in charge of my own life, and I don’t believe in fate or destiny. No one can control what actions I take. Sure, I’m being sent to this town, but it’s my choice what I do once I get there.
We all walk from Gramps’s office into the kitchen where dinner is waiting. I talk less the rest of the night as I think about what’s coming next. I can’t seem to shake this feeling that my life’s about to change in ways I can’t imagine. I have doubts, but I’ve made up my mind. I’m going on this adventure. This might be the first time I’ve done something where I don’t already know the outcome.
This place I vaguely remember with good memories is a mystery to me. One thing is certain though, I’m ready to uncover whatever secrets might be hidden there. Whoever sent me this challenge will soon learn I’m not a puppet on strings. I control my life... or so I believe.
Chapter One
Callan
As I sit in my Herman Miller ultra-comfortable office chair at my pristinely clean desk, looking at endless digital tabs on my computer screen, I can’t shake the feeling of restlessness that’s settled over me this past week. Normally my work keeps me plenty busy, but not lately. I haven’t been able to keep focused.
It’s been a full week since I opened the mystery box left on Gramps’s desk, and ever since then, my mind’s been consumed with this journey I’m going to take. I don’t normally like mystery. I like things mapped out. I’ve always loved charting new territories, but even when I go into the unknown, I still know which path I’m taking. This is a first for me, the beginning of a completely uncharted territory.
