Bennett — Age 13
Carson flipped through the channels before accurately deciding there was nothing worth watching. He turned the TV off and glanced at me and Tate from the other side of the couch. “What do you guys want to do?”
“We could…” Tate shook his head. “I can’t think of anything.”
“I can’t either,” I said.
“Hey, Maven!” Carson called, and I cringed inside. I used to think Carson had just put up with his sister because he had to, but the more I was around the two of them, the more I was convinced he actually liked spending time with her. I couldn’t see why.
The muted sound of her violin stopped. Her door opened, and she peeked her head out. “Did you just call for me?” Her gaze shifted to me and Tate, and she smiled. “Oh, hey.”
I lifted a lazy hand in near unison with my brother.
“What did you need?” she asked Carson.
“Want to do something with us?”
Her gaze flicked to me before returning to her brother. “What were you thinking?”
Carson shrugged. “I hoped you’d have an idea.”
A smile spread across Maven’s face. “Are you guys up for a scavenger hunt?”
That sounded lamer than sitting here staring at a blank screen.
“Sure,” Carson said before I could voice my opinion. “If you two are?”
Tate nodded.
I could always head home if it was boring. “I guess.”
Maven disappeared into her room before coming out with a piece of paper.
She folded it in half, then ripped it down the middle.
All three of us watched as she set to work, vigorously writing a list of some kind.
She glanced up. “Carson, grab a reusable grocery bag and put in….” She glanced at her list. “A can of corn, a fork, a plastic cup, a paperclip, and a AA battery. Maybe shove another bag or two inside too.”
Carson headed to the kitchen without so much as a question.
“What are those things for?” Tate asked.
“Evidence.” Maven crossed out several of the items she’d just written.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
She smiled, her eyes brimming with mischief. “You’ll see.”
What kind of scavenger hunt was this?
When Carson returned, he handed her the bag. She looked inside, then nodded. “Let’s ride our bikes into town. That way, we can hit more houses.”
On the way into Autumn Ridge, we passed Dominic outside shooting hoops and invited him along. Worst-case scenario, we could come back here and play ball if this scavenger hunt ended up being a flop.
“Let’s park our bikes here,” Maven said when we got to the dirt lot at the edge of town. We did what she said, then made our way toward the nearest house. “Just follow my lead.” She gave a quick rap on the first door.
Mrs. Batchelder opened the door, her curious expression scanning the lot of us. “What can I do for you kids?”
Maven thrust the slip of paper toward her, releasing a puff of air like she was out of breath. “We are on a scavenger hunt, and we just need a few more items. Do you have anything on the list that isn’t crossed out?”
Realizing the assignment, Mrs. Batchelder glanced at the paper, quickly scanning the remaining items. “One second.” She disappeared briefly, then hurried back, garnishing a dollar bill. “Will this work?”
“Absolutely. Thank you, Mrs. Batchelder.” Maven smiled sweetly at her and shoved it in the bag before bounding off the porch like she was actually in a hurry. The rest of us boys followed suit.
On the porch of the next house, while we waited for someone to come to the door, Tate glanced at the list. “Aren’t you supposed to cross that item off now?”
Maven shook her head. “This is a different kind of scavenger hunt.”
At that house, Mrs. Holtz gave us another dollar. At the next, we got a pack of gum, which Maven said should count as a candy bar. Then another dollar. And the following house gave us a roll of toilet paper.
“Let me see that list,” I said as we headed to the next street. I read through the items, then glanced over at her. “The only things not crossed off are a roll of toilet paper, a dollar bill, a candy bar, and a…” I sent her a confused look. “A 1963 penny?”
She gave a proud smile. “No one wants to take the time to search through their pennies, but having it on there legitimizes the scavenger hunt.”
I couldn’t help but be impressed. Handing her back the list, I gave a nod of approval. “You’re alright.”
Her cheeks pinked in a way that made no sense, but she quickly grabbed the list and looked away.
“What are we going to do with all the money we collect?” Carson asked.
Maven shrugged. “We can get ice cream after?”
Her suggestion was met with excited nods of approval.
“And the toilet paper?” I asked.
Her smile broadened, and I was confident she’d already thought of another thing for us to do.