Page 23 of One Chance to Stay
He had wedged the axe into the tree stump. I eyed it as if I were about to pull the sword from the stone and rule over all of Firefly. How hard could it be? I watched the lumberjack competitions. It’s not like I had to create a unicorn with a chainsaw. Chopping wood, an activity that had been around since man learned how to make fire.
“I’ve got this.”
I rubbed my hands together before gripping the handle. Despite a sharp tug, it didn’t move. Bracing a foot against the stump, I leaned back, shaking the axe free. For a slender shaft and small metal head, it weighed more than I expected. With a quick spin, I found a comfortable handhold.
My pride rested on the line. I took a slow practice swing, ensuring I’d bring it down straight through the middle of the log. It had already been hit once, half split. How hard could it be to finish it off?
“You’re killing me,” Evelyn said. “Swing already!”
Squaring my feet, I brought the axe over my shoulder. I let out a low growl as I flexed. It swung over my head and, by instinct, my eyes clamped shut. The axe came, no—went. I opened my eyes in time to see the axe spiraling through the air. It smacked off the fence, rolling over into the neighbor’s yard. I raised my hands, staring at my palms in disbelief.
“Oops.”
Evelyn threw her arms in the air. “Membership revoked!”
Abraham covered his mouth as he snickered. I wanted to protest and say the axe had been wet or my fingers had cramped from the cold. My future as a lumberjack had been dashed, and now I’d need to go next door to get the axe. I could feel the respect of my ancestors vanish.
“How did you get so bad at this?” Evelyn couldn’t stop laughing. It started funny, but as she held her stomach, buckling over, I could feel my pride wounded. I mean, I couldn’t be the only person who accidentally threw an axe into the neighbor’s yard?
“They don’t teach you how to lumberjack at bartending school.”
The firewood sat undisturbed in the middle of the tree stump. I tried willing it to split, but alas, it remained intact. I half hoped somebody from the neighbor’s yard would hold up an axe, asking if it had escaped. At this rate, I’d never hear the end of my lack of survival skills.
“We’re going to need your membership card back,” Bobby said. “No more free lobsters for you.”
“You know what they’re going to start calling you,” Laurel added. She wouldn’t dare evoke such a slanderous word. “Flatlander.”
I grabbed the log off the stump. Gripping the sides, I pulled while letting out a thunderous roar. They froze as the log split the last few inches. It wasn’t much of a victory, but I’d take the win. I tossed it in the pile with the rest, pounding my fists against my chest.
“Firewood everywhere should be terrified!”
“So manly,” Bobby said with a snicker. “You can keep your card for now.”
“What’s all this for?” I asked.
“Fire?” Evelyn replied. “Oh, you mean, why not buy a cord?”
This was more than enough wood for the small fireplace in Valhalla through the next storm or two. I had to wonder if one of the other suits had a private fireplace? I’d have to check the roofline to see if I could figure out which room it was.
“It’s going to take a long time to split enough logs to last you the winter.”
“It only needs to last one night,” she said.
I obviously missed something. “I can see the gears turning.” Abraham gave me a pat on the back before gripping my shoulder. “It’s for the bonfire. Evelyn here—” he shot her a dirty look, “—is trying to save a few bucks by chopping the wood herself.”
“Going to be a small bonfire at this rate,” I said.
“Sounds like a volunteer to me.” Evelyn pointed to the smile on her face. “Don’t take too long. If they get wet, it’ll be a smoky bonfire.”
“Evelyn. Dear. I love you like the daughter I never had.”
“Hey!” Laurel smacked her dad’s shoulder.
“You’re the daughter I have,” he said, as if he didn’t see the insult. “There is no way you’re going to get enough wood for the bonfire. Besides, these are tiny. Do you want the entire town making s’mores around a piddly flame?”
Evelyn kicked the stump. “Fine. I’ll figure something out.”
“You can use these for smaller fires, maybe?” Bobby’s suggestion wasn’t bad. It’d help keep the town from surrounding a single spot. “I’ll help you finish chopping all of this.”
