Page 31 of Easton Island

Bubbly foaming red lava spewed out of the top and down the sides. Meanwhile, the judges jotted notes on their clipboards before moving on to check out the hot-air balloon exhibit.

Another half an hour passed. Finally, the science instructor / host announced the winners.

Morgan didn’t recognize the names. After the initial winners were announced, ribbons were awarded for honorable mentions.

“Tristan Blakely.”

Tristan darted to the stage to accept his ribbon. He joined several other honorable mentions, all of them posing for pictures and accepting applause from both visitors and judges.

Morgan, Brett, and Elizabeth waited until the event officially wrapped up and teardown began.

“I’m sorry you didn’t win,” Morgan said. “But an honorable mention is nothing to sneeze at.”

“She’s right.” Brett ruffled his hair. “Both you and your friend did a great job.”

“Not everyone can win,” Tristan said. “I tried, and I had fun.”

“Me too,” his classmate said. “Maybe next year.”

“Yep.” He gathered up the accessories and placed the trees, people, and props back in the bag while Morgan tracked down a trash can and tossed the wet paper towels inside. As soon as the table was clean, they loaded everything onto the cart and rolled it toward the door.

Brett and his son walked ahead while Morgan and her grandmother trailed behind. Reaching the SUV, they made quick work of placing the pieces and parts inside her cargo area.

“I don’t know about you, but I’m starving,” Morgan said. “Why don’t we grab a bite to eat in town?”

“I’ll see if Quinn has time to take a quick break and join us.” Brett tapped out a message. She promptly replied, letting him know she had eaten a late breakfast, but thanked him for the invitation.

“It’s a no-go for lunch,” he said. “I guess it’s just the four of us.”

Morgan jangled her keys. “Let’s head out.” She stepped back, inadvertently colliding with someone who was walking past. She spun around, intending to apologize, and realized it was other students, a boy and a girl, both with surly sneers on their faces.

“Hey, arrowhead! Your stupid volcano didn’t win,” the boy taunted. “What a joke.”

“You didn’t win either,” Tristan said. “And I got an honorable mention.”

“At least my project wasn’t a dumb Kool-Aid trick,” he said. “Another Easton bites the dust.”

“Young man.” Elizabeth stepped forward. “Didn’t your parents teach you manners? Your behavior is rude.”

“Who are you?” The boy looked her up and down. “Granny.”

“More importantly, who are you?”

Morgan tugged Tristan’s arm, talking in a low voice. “These are the two who have been picking on you?”

He nodded.

Brett stepped in next to his grandmother. “Where are your parents?”

The boy immediately became defensive. “They left.”

“C’mon, Ruben. Let’s go.” The girl grabbed his arm.

He jerked away and shot her a warning look. “They can’t do anything to us. We’ll sue them.”

“I know who you are.” Elizabeth’s eyes narrowed. “Your behavior now makes perfect sense.”

Chapter 14