Tim’s Skill Development

Part 1

Photo by: Javardh (@javardh) | Unsplash Photo Community

“What the hell was that?” asked 23 year old Tim as his family sat in the lawyers office discussing his grandfather’s will.

“What are you talking about?” inquired Amy, his sister, with a puzzled look.

“I’m talking about the light show when the box was opened,” he said pointing to the box that was sitting on the table. They all looked at him as if he was crazy.

“Too many mushrooms?” intoned Amy quietly, to which Tim shook his head.

“I think that raps it up,” said the lawyer. “Once we have worked out time lines I will call you and let you know when we can deliver your inheritance to you. It should be later this week.”

Tim’s family stood and headed for the door.

“Tim,” called out the lawyer. “Could I have a word with you?”

His family looked curious. “Go ahead,” he said to his family. “I will meet you at the restaurant.” He returned to his chair. The lawyer rose and shut the door.

“Tell me about the light show,” requested the lawyer as he returned to his seat.

“Did you see it,” inquired Tim. His curiosity was rising.

“Unfortunately no,” the lawyer replied.

“What’s the point if you didn’t see it?” asked a dejected Tim. He had hoped that someone else had seen it.

“I will get to the point in a minute,” the lawyer said. “Please describe it to me, in detail.”

Tim frowned and thought about this. He didn’t want to look weird. Seeing the light show was apparently a solo effort. At the same time the lawyer was being insistent. “It was like a miniature fireworks display.” He started and proceeded to give a blow by blow description. When he finished he looked at the lawyer with some curiosity.

The lawyer read the will again, nodding at many sections before looking up smiling. “Your grandfather predicted that one of his family members would see this light show,” he paused.

Tim looked shocked. “Grandfather predicted a light show? How? Why?”

The lawyer looked at Tim. “I can only go by what he told me.” Tim nodded. “He said this was the indicator that a true McClelland had inherited his skills.”

“Inherited his skills?” Tim was looking at the lawyer with some doubt.

“Yes,” the lawyer replied as he pulled a wand out of the box. “Here,” he said, handing the wand to Tim. Tim took possession of the wand. He sat there looking at the lawyer.

“Is something supposed to happen?” he asked.

Suddenly a small light show erupted from the end of the wand. Scenes revealed themselves and were replaced by new scenes. Tim watched and was fascinated as the history of the wand was revealed. Soon it reached the part where his grandfather received the wand from his grandfather’s father.

Soon the show ended. Tim sat staring at the wand. “Did you see that?” he asked.

“Unfortunately no, but there is this note.”

“Only the worthy receive this inheritance. Use it wisely. The wand is a prop.”

Tim read the note again. “This is it?” he asked.

“I am afraid so,” replied the lawyer. “When I asked him about it he said you would know.”

“Know what?” asked a startled Tim. “That I somehow have a magical power I didn’t know about.” Tim reflected on this. “A prop?” he inquired. The wand is a prop?”

“Apparently so,” admitted the lawyer. “Your grandfather felt that this was the only way he could think of to help you see your skills. Otherwise, you wouldn’t believe it.

“I don’t believe it,” said Tim as he set the wand down. He raised his hands and stared at them.

“What exactly are these skills?” he wondered. He licked his lips in thirst. Suddenly a bottle of water appeared in front of him.

“That may be one skill,” observed the lawyer as Tim opened the bottle and took a sip.

“This could be interesting,” said Tim.

“You can’t tell anyone about this skill,” said the lawyer.

“Who would believe it anyway,” replied Tim. And it was true. In a world of nonbelievers who would accept his new skills as anything but a freak show? Tim looked at the lawyer? “Anything else?” he asked.

The lawyer looked over the will and then at Tim. “You have inherited a house.”

“Yes. I know,” said Tim. “We all inherited a house.”

“You don’t understand,” replied the lawyer. “YOU, by yourself, have inherited a house.”

Tim blinked. “My Grandfather had more than one house?” No one knew this piece of information.

“Once my people have gone over it you will be given the keys.”

It didn’t matter what the lawyer had said after that moment. Special skills and a house had landed in Tim’s mind.