Chapter 822: Beaulieu Manor
Monday, April 3rd, Evening
After dinner, they collected them in the Lady Parlor. The kids would go to a corner of the room and finish their homework. The adults would sit on the sofas and do what they wanted, which included Brooke watching TV. The younger kids would have less homework, so they usually finished up first and joined the adults, generally trying to get Brooke to change the channel.
Callista "Calle" Ashe, Brooke's most recent ward, looked up from her books to the other two teenagers at the table. Sawyer picked at her book, showing signs of either boredom or disinterest, but Callie had learned that was Sawyer. Kendall "Keni" Stafford, Brooke's youngest and the other girl, was half done with her homework but didn't seem to care either way.
"What's wrong?" Keni asked.
"What do you mean?" Sawyer asked.
"You seem less interested than normal," Keni said, "Plus, LK was worried."
Sawyer shrugged, "I think our group is getting too big," she said, her voice tinged with concern for their unity.
"So? What do you want to do to kick someone out?" Keni asked.
"I hope it's not me," Callie said.
"Shhh! You're family," Keni said.
Callie gave Keni a look and then turned to Sawyer. "Why are you feeling it's too big?" Callie asked.
Sawyer shrugged, "It started out as just me, Keni, LK, and Gareth," she said.
"So, you want to kick me out?" Callie asked.
Sawyer shook her head, "Don't be silly, as Keni said, you're family," she said, "But if you want to leave…ow!"
Keni whacked Sawyer's arm. "You don't mean that," she said.
"No, I don't," Sawyer said, "It's not a suicide pack, but with Brett leaving, we're going to need a redhead when we stream."
"I'm not dying my hair," Callie said.
"Be careful; Sawyer can be rather convincing," Keni said, turning to Sawyer, "You invited Alesha into our group."
Sawyer nodded, "That I did," she said, "I found her to be a kindred spirit."
"How did Wendy and Dex end up in the group?" Callie asked, intrigued by the diversity of their group.
"We met Wendy in Middle School, and this one," Keni pointed to Sawyer, "Felt sorry for her and her twin sister and invited them to hang out."
"Wendy has a twin sister?" Callie asked, dumbfounded.
Sawyer nodded, "And two more sisters, as well, one younger and one older," she said.
"Cindy prefers to do her own thing," Keni said matter-of-factly.
"So, Dex?" Callie asked.
"He just started hanging out in the field house and somehow ended up in the group," Keni said.
"So, that leaves Jordan," Callie said.
Keni nodded, "The jury is still out on her," she said.
"Of all the people Wendy could be paired with, it's Joce's cousin," Sawyer said.
Callie nodded, "What's between you and Joce?" she asked.
"You've not paid attention to Joce Allen-Travis, have you?" Sawyer asked.
"That goes back to Middle School as well," Keni said.
"That wasn't that long ago," Callie said.
"Joce is just a bitch, okay?" Sawyer said.
"It's more than that," Callie said.
"Is it Gareth?" Keni asked.
"No, what does Gareth have to do with this?" Sawyer asked.
"You're worried that he won't rejoin the group," Keni said.
"No, I'm not, he's made his choice," Sawyer said, "Can we drop this?"
"Fine," Keni said, "So, Callie, how was jamming with the Hartmann Sisters?"
"It was fun," Callie said, "I didn't know how shy Kat is."
Keni nodded, "She's very quiet; always remember her that way."
"She's such a force of nature on stage," Callie said.
"Some introverts get their release from performing; that's Kat," Keni said.
"Alix is so outgoing, though," Callie said.
"Alix has her moments," Keni said.
"Kat also went through a lot dealing with Brian," Sawyer said.
"Brian Scott? Isn't he your cousin?" Callie asked.
Sawyer nodded, "Yes, he was LK's brother," she said.
"Wow, the stars fell on that family," Callie said.
"Luck and fate aren't always spread evenly," Keni said, looking off into the distance.
"But that doesn't change anything," Callie said.
"As you know, life is unfair," Sawyer said.
"Kat got lucky," Keni said, "Alix is still trying to make her luck."
"One thing I didn't know is Kat doesn't like to sing," Callie said.
"I heard that," Keni said.
"I think Kat wants to be the side player," Sawyer said.
Callie shook her head, "Anyway, it was fun, and Mags can really shred," she said.
"So, would you do that again?" Keni asked.
"Yeah, if they invite me," Callie said.
"A tattoo, you're going to need a tattoo and some more piercings if you're going to be a musician," Keni said.
"What? Wait!" Callie said.
"All three of us should go together to get our first tattoo, maybe even get matching tattoos," Keni said.
"Already have this planned?" Sawyer asked.
"We're too young for tattoos," Callie said.
"My Mom, Sawyer's Dad, and My sister Chase were sixteen when they got their first," Keni said.
"Ugh!" Callie said, "Let me think about it."
"Girls," Brooke said.
"Yes," the three girls answered.
"Are you done with your homework?" Brooke asked.
"No," the girls said.
"I would finish my homework before socializing," Brooke said.
"Yes," the girls said and returned to their books.
