Intangible by Jen Meyers

Author:Jen Meyers [Meyers, Jen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781470010157
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Published: 2012-01-28T20:00:00+00:00

TWENTY-TWO

“Why was France nearly bankrupt when Louis the sixteenth came to power?” Luke leaned back against the large throw pillows and flipped through a few pages in his history book. The studying would go a lot faster if Sera and Fey would stay on topic. He glanced at Sera sprawled across the other end of his bed, and Fey in the chair over by his window, and shook his head. Sometimes it was impossible to get them to focus.

“Because they helped during the American Revolution.” Sera dropped a couple pieces of popcorn into her mouth.

“And they fought in the Seven Years War not long before that,” Luke said.

“Do you really think we need to know that?” She looked across the room at Fey, who shrugged.

“Only if you want to pass the test,” Luke said. And he did. If only to give himself one less thing to worry about.

Sera eyed Luke, then turned to Fey. “So, what do you think?”

“About your mom telling you you’re adopted?”

Sera nodded her head. Luke exhaled loudly. They needed to study, not talk. And yet he paused, watched Fey’s face.

“I think it must have been hard for her.”

Sera blinked. “Yeah, it was.”

“Did she tell you about your birth family?”

Luke looked at Sera. It seemed to him that Fey should have been more surprised by the fact that they were adopted. It was identity-shattering news. Most people would be shocked. This was not the reaction he’d expected.

Luke flipped to another page in the history book. “She said that our birth parents died in a fire with our six older brothers.”

“Hmmm,” was all Fey said. They were all silent for a moment.

Luke waited in the silence, then looked down at his book again. “What is a regressive tax system?”

“Where the poor use up a disproportionately larger percentage of their resources and income to pay taxes than the rich do. And in France the clergy and nobility were given many tax exemptions while the rest of the people were overtaxed to the point where they could not be taxed any higher and be able to live. They were already malnourished and starving as it was.”

Luke stared at Fey, his mouth open.

“What?” she said. “So I know a little history.”

“Impressive,” Luke said. And he meant it. Fey was amazing in every way and she never failed to surprise him. Even now after knowing her practically his whole life.

“Can we get back to what we were talking about?” Fey said.

“The French Revolution?” Luke asked.

“Your birth family. Six older brothers makes you the seventh son.”

Luke’s eyebrows shot up. “Yeah, I guess so. But we’re supposed to be studying for a test.”

“Isn’t there supposed to be something significant about a seventh son?” Fey got up from her overstuffed chair and walked over to Luke’s desk. “May I?” She indicated his computer.

“Sure.” Luke raised his eyebrows at Sera. What was up with Fey? Sera shrugged and shook her head, then turned her attention back to Fey, who was furiously typing something.

“What are you doing?” Luke said.

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