The drive to Evelyn Harper's house was quiet at first. Alan's old sedan hummed along the coastal road, the Pacific glittering to their left. The morning breeze slipped in through a cracked window, carrying salt and seaweed and the faint scent of Charlie's neighborhood barbecues still clinging to the air.
Jake was half-asleep in the backseat, his head lolling against the window, mouth slightly open. Every bump in the road made him mumble something incoherent.
Thinking that the time was right, Austin decided to do the check-in. He glanced at Alan—focused on the road, his jaw tight, sunglasses hiding his eyes—and then at Jake, who was snoring softly.
"System," Austin whispered under his breath.
The faint blue shimmer appeared before him once again, invisible to anyone else.
[INTERSTELLAR QUEST SYSTEM]
Planet: Earth
Next Check-in: AVAILABLE
His heart thumped. He pressed the glowing [CHECK-IN] button.
The screen pulsed once—then lines of text appeared, scrolling like static.
[Congratulations, Explorer.]
[Interstellar Check-in Reward: Prototype Chytherion]
"What?" said Austin, accidentally out loud.
"Are we there yet!" said Jake, waking up.
"Almost there," said Alan," Were you talking to m,e Austin?"
"No, I accidentally bit my tongue," said Austin.
Jake grumbled, annoyed by being woken up startlingly. Alan focused back on the road. Austin focused back on the new reward.
[Prototype Chytherion]
[Description: A Lantean scientist's life's work. Allows the user to connect with nearby stargates in range of the device and transport there.]
'Stargate…Lanthea?' thought Austin,' What are those?'
Austin rubbed the back of his neck, frowning deeper.
"We're here," said Alan, pulling over to the parking. Austin blinked and looked up. Evelyn Harper's house stood ahead—an old two-story home perched on a hill overlooking the ocean, sunlight flashing off its whitewashed walls and the wind chimes tinkling softly in the sea breeze.
The front door opened just as they reached it. Evelyn Harper appeared, smiling warmly but with an unmistakable glint of authority.
"Boys! Alan!" she called, sweeping them all into a hug.
Alan adjusted his tie, glancing nervously at his mother. "Morning, Mom," he said cautiously.
"You look well enough… for a quack," Evelyn said, tapping his arm playfully but pointedly. "Now off you go to your office before you embarrass yourself further."
Alan muttered a quick goodbye and escaped to the car, while Evelyn turned her attention to Austin and Jake.
"Come in, darlings," she said, guiding them into the living room. Jake immediately slouched toward the divan, ready to collapse.
"The divan is not for sitting," Evelyn said softly, shaking her head with mock disappointment. "I don't mind a little rest, but my boys should keep their backs straight."
Jake sat upright instantly, glancing at Austin, who raised an eyebrow.
"Now," Evelyn continued, settling into a chair and giving them a warm, grandmotherly smile, "I know it's been a long ride, and you're hungry. But don't you think your dear old grandma could use a little help? The dishes from breakfast… and the laundry from yesterday. It would make me so happy if you helped."
Jake groaned under his breath. "Finally, some time to relax…"
Austin elbowed him gently. "Don't even think about it."
Evelyn's eyes twinkled as if she could read his mind. "Oh, I know you're thinking about relaxing. But wouldn't it feel better to make me proud first?"
Before they could protest, the boys were sorting plates, silverware, and glasses. Evelyn moved to the laundry room, gesturing at the baskets. "Cottons on the left, colors on the right. Silks need extra care, Austin. I'd feel awful if anything got ruined."
The boys exchanged glances. Her tone wasn't harsh, but the guilt in her voice carried a weight that made them scramble to comply.
Austin muttered under his breath, "At least I'm getting cardio."
Jake whispered back, "I don't think I've ever seen Grandma like this before."
"Keep whispering, and your poor old grandma will have to find something else for you to do," Evelyn said, shaking her head with mock disappointment. "And I'd be ever so sad about it."
By the time the dishes were done and the laundry folded, Austin and Jake realized that under Evelyn Harper's gentle but persuasive hand, they had been put to work without any real chance to rest. She had a way of making chores feel like acts of love—and guilt—that couldn't be refused.
The day had only just begun, and there were plenty of chores to do.
By mid-morning, Austin and Jake were knee-deep in laundry, towels, and shirts piled high on the divan. Evelyn flitted between the kitchen and living room, occasionally pausing to offer small treats.
"Here, boys," she said, handing them a plate of warm cookies. "Just a little sugar to keep your energy up while you work. I'd hate for my poor grandchildren to collapse from fatigue."
Jake's eyes widened. "Thanks, Grandma!"
"Don't thank me yet," Evelyn said with a sly smile. "The cookie is for strength, not for dawdling."
Austin nibbled thoughtfully, glancing at Jake, who had already stuffed half a cookie in his mouth. "She's… ruthless with kindness," he muttered.
Evelyn chuckled, hearing him perfectly. "Ruthless? Oh no, Austin, I'm only trying to teach you both responsibility… and maybe a little respect for hard work."
Jake groaned dramatically, dropping a sock into the wrong pile. "I can't do this anymore!"
Evelyn knelt, fixing his misstep with a gentle hand. "Oh, but you can, sweetheart. You always can. And think how proud your father will be when he sees you helping out—although he's never seen me in action like this." She winked at Austin, who was folding towels with a sigh.
Austin whispered under his breath, "I think I get why Dad left the room so fast."
Evelyn laughed, clearly hearing him again. "Austin, your father is a busy man—one must be prepared to handle the unexpected. And helping grandma is good preparation for life."
Despite their protests, the boys continued, realizing that each small compliment was layered with gentle guilt. When a stack of neatly folded shirts appeared, Evelyn clapped her hands softly.
"See, isn't that wonderful? You're such capable young men. Now, just a little more… and then perhaps, if I'm feeling generous, some lemonade and quiet time for you."
Jake leaned toward Austin, whispering, "Do you think she ever stops?"
Austin shook his head with a small grin. "Nope. But… somehow, it doesn't feel like punishment. That's the scary part."
Evelyn's voice floated from the kitchen, melodious and teasing. "Boys, don't forget to straighten the cushions and fluff the pillows. A tidy home is a happy home. And we wouldn't want grandma to be sad, would we?"
By noon, the chores were done—or at least temporarily paused—and Evelyn called the boys to the dining room for lunch. The table was set neatly, with sandwiches, fresh fruit, and glasses of lemonade. The sunlight spilled across the polished wood, making everything look cheerful and inviting.
Jake practically bounced into his chair, elbows on the table, eyes wide with curiosity. "Grandma, how do you know so much about houses? Do you sell them all by yourself? What about the really big ones? And what's the weirdest thing someone ever wanted in a house?"
Evelyn chuckled, adjusting her glasses. "Oh, my dear, that's quite a list of questions! I've been in real estate for decades, darling, and yes, I handle most of my deals myself. The big ones? Luxury homes, mansions on the cliffs—oh, you should see the views! And the weirdest? Well…" She leaned in, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "Someone once asked for a house with a built-in moat and a drawbridge. Can you imagine?"
Jake's jaw dropped. "A moat? Really?"
"Yes, really," Evelyn said, smiling knowingly. "People have their whims. That's why being in this business is as much art as it is skill. You need patience, charm, and a little flair to make them see what they really want."
Austin, quietly eating his sandwich, glanced at Jake's barrage of questions and shook his head with a faint smile. He could already feel the gears turning in his brother's mind, already imagining castles and moats and secret tunnels.
"And you, Austin," Evelyn said, turning to him with a sly grin, "what about you? Always quiet. Planning how you'll take over the world someday?"
"What would I do with the world?" shrugged Austin," I would drive it to extinction within a day."
Jake's curiosity flared again. "Grandma, do you ever get scared? Like, when you show a house, and someone's super picky? Or when someone doesn't pay?"
Evelyn chuckled warmly, brushing back a stray lock of hair. "Of course, but fear doesn't get you anywhere. You face it, you plan for it, and you turn it into an opportunity. That's how I've made every sale count. And besides, a little drama keeps life interesting, don't you think?"
Jake leaned back, clearly impressed. "Wow… you're like, super brave."
"I've had to be," Evelyn said, smiling softly. Austin quietly sipped his lemonade, letting Jake soak up Evelyn's stories. He couldn't help but notice how much charisma she had, how easily she captured Jake's attention, and—though he'd never admit it aloud—how she managed to make them work through 'love', not through force or intimidation.
By the time the sandwiches were gone and the last apple slice eaten, Jake had already peppered her with ten more questions about her clients, her favorite houses, and her most memorable sales. Evelyn answered each one with enthusiasm, clearly enjoying the attention.
"You boys will have plenty of time to play later," she said finally, leaning back in her chair with a satisfied smile. "But for now, remember: curiosity is wonderful, but responsibility comes first."
Jake groaned in mock disappointment. "Aw, but lunch was so fun!"
Austin just shook his head, smiling faintly at his brother's endless energy, secretly wondering when he'd get a moment to think about the bracelet waiting in his mind.
…Later in the evening.
Charlie's car crunched to a stop in the driveway just as the sun was slipping behind Evelyn's perfectly manicured hedges. Alan's hand hovered over the doorknob, hesitating for a moment, before he opened the door to find Charlie leaning casually against the doorway, grinning like mischief incarnate.
"Hey, Alan," Charlie said, voice smooth and confident. "Look at you, all stiff and proper. Feels good to be back at Mom's, huh? On a scale of one to two?"
Alan blinked, adjusting his collar as if to armor himself against Charlie's sarcasm. "I'm not back living with Mom. Just staying here until Judith and I… work things out. So… one."
Charlie pushed himself off the doorframe and strolled inside. "What do you want, Charlie?" Alan asked, already bracing himself.
"Well," Charlie said, tilting his head, "I figure you've been here a couple of hours. Blood in your stool yet? Just kidding. Anyway… if you and the boys want to come back to my place for a bit, that'd be okay."
Alan frowned. "Wait—are you saying you want me to come back and live with you?"
Charlie laughed, shaking his head. "Truthfully, no. I want Jake and Austin. But, you know… package deal."
Alan stiffened. "Thanks, but we're doing fine here with Mom."
Charlie waved dismissively. "Come on, Alan. We can't let them be exposed to her regularly."
Alan opened his mouth to argue, but from the hallway came a sharp, commanding voice:
"And what happened to you?"
Charlie whipped around, forcing a grin. "Hi, Mom."
Evelyn's eyes swept the room like a general inspecting recruits. "You're a grown man, Charlie. Perhaps it's time you stop blaming your mother for your shortcomings. Alan, the divan is not for sitting."
Alan jumped up, scowling, as Evelyn's gaze shifted to Charlie. "Charlie, get off the couch."
Charlie stood, hands raised in mock surrender. Jake, sensing an opportunity for comfort, bounded forward.
"Hey, Uncle Charlie!"
Evelyn swooped him up into a hug, leaving Jake squirming. "There's my good boy! And what did I say about yelling in the house?"
"Grandma, I'm suffocating!" Jake protested, muffled in her arms.
Charlie muttered under his breath, "Sound familiar?" He glanced at Austin, who had just dragged his tired body into the room.
Alan, sighing, reminded him, "Austin, pack your bags again. We're leaving soon."
Austin looked around, taking in the glinting crystal vases, the impossibly clean floors, and the general air of order that seemed designed to crush a child's spirit. He sighed. "I want to say no on principle," he admitted quietly, "but… this is not the hill I want to die on."
Alan moved briskly through Evelyn's hallway, gathering backpacks, duffel bags, and a few stray items the boys had left scattered about. Austin, still rubbing the sleep from his eyes, stumbled behind him, dragging his small carry-on. Jake bounced beside them, chattering about something he'd forgotten to pack, while Evelyn watched from the doorway, hands on her hips.
"Alan, you're really going to let them leave without finishing the laundry? And the dishes!" Evelyn called, her voice sharp but tinged with a grandmotherly exasperation.
Alan didn't look back. "We'll manage, Mom. They've got to go."
Austin mumbled something incoherent but followed along, too tired to speak. Alan zipped the last bag closed and handed it to Jake. Evelyn sighed dramatically but let them proceed. "Fine, but I swear, you two are going to remember this the next time you visit!"
Outside, the morning sunlight glinted off the two cars waiting in the driveway. Charlie leaned against his sedan with a grin, waving as Jake and he loaded their bags into the trunk. Alan opened the passenger door of their own car, ushering Austin in with one hand and sliding the remaining bags into the backseat.
"Dad," Austin said sleepily, his voice barely above a yawn as he buckled himself in, "call our teacher and tell them we might be late tomorrow. Otherwise, it's going to be annoying to deal with the office and get a note."
"We won't be late tomorrow, Austin," said Alan.
"Just in case," said Austin, dozing off.