Adam Blake - 37. Chapter 37

Back in my office, I began to review the records of the remaining boys that I hadn’t review yesterday. My secretary was scheduled to begin tomorrow morning. The small office which would be occupied by the secretary was a little smaller than Jane’s. Jane gave me a catalog to order office equipment for the office. Before I did that, I wanted to discuss it with James.

The afternoon passed quickly. I sorted the students into several piles, one by age or grade, then subject, which they excelled or weren’t excelling, and finally by subject matter. Tomorrow I’d delve further into these piles to determine any trends, then begin scheduling interviews. I also wanted to check and interview the teachers of those students who are not excelling. My goal was to raise the lower group to the middle group and the middle group to the highest group. I also had to be sure there isn’t any favoritism being shown.

At the end of the day, I was ready to go home. I expected a text message but none came which meant either Billy was home or Ann’s parents picked him up. Arriving at the cabin, Mom came out to meet me. “You need to talk to Billy. He has had a bad day today.”

I went and change my clothes, I looked for Billy and finding him. “Let’s go for a walk. I want to see if we can lay out a running trail.” We headed into the woods on a path that had already existed. We hadn’t gone far, I put my arms around his shoulders, I didn’t say a word as we walked quietly.

“Adam, Ann and I broke up.”

“I’m sorry Billy. I know how much you liked her. Do you want to talk about it?”

“Yesterday I ran there. I know I was sweaty but I didn’t think I smelled that bad. She told me I stunk and I should run home or go sit outside. She didn’t want to smell me. So today I walked there, I wasn’t sweaty or smelling bad, I used your deodorant and aftershave. I hope you don’t mind. When I got to the diner, she said she had to work and couldn’t talk. So I sat there and had a coke, this kid comes in and she rushes over and kisses him. She didn’t know I was there and when she saw me, she gave me an angry look. I just got up and left. She came out and watched me walk away. I really liked her.”

There wasn’t much I could say, no words could smooth a broken heart. “It’s difficult to have a long-distance relationship. Life is funny because just when you think the end is near, your heart is broken and can’t be mended, something happens that causes you to forget what had broken your heart. I feel for you but think about this, you’ll be running the rest of your life, it’s in your blood just as it’s in your dads and mine. We’re always going to stink after our runs. So maybe she wasn’t the one if she can’t stand a little stink. Your mom handled your dad’s and my stink after we’d run. There’s someone for you, wait till you win the Olympics, they’ll fight to smell your stink.”

He started to laugh. “Have you ever had someone say to you, you stink?”

“Sure, Mom said it every time I came home after a run. I could hear her now, Adam go and take a shower you stink. I think she’d say it even now but I don’t give her a chance.”

I looked at him, “Let’s go back and see what’s for dinner.”

Walking back into the cabin, Mom looked at me and I smiled. She knew everything was going to be ok. I was getting ready to sit down when Scotty jumped on me. “Where did you go?”

“We went for a walk in the woods. Would you like to go for a walk?”

“In the woods? It's dark there”

“Not if we go right after dinner, want to go?”

“Yea but if I get scared you have to carry me.”

“Ok, maybe we could ask Billy to go with us.”

Scotty went to look for Billy, Mom came over and sat beside me, “Is everything ok?”

“I think so. I know he’s hurting a little but my guess is by this weekend he’ll be fine.”

“Why this weekend?”

“We’ll be going fishing in a boat.”

“We don’t have a boat.”

“No, but I know someone who does have a boat and I think she’s sweet on me.”

Mom started to laugh, but I also saw the twinkle in her eyes.

Dinner was good, with Mom and Jen cooking we didn’t have to worry about food.

“Dad is coming up this week, if you need anything let me know before you leave tomorrow.”

“Is Bill coming up as well?”

“I don’t think so, if he comes it’ll be for the weekend.”

The next morning on my way to school, I was thinking about Billy and our discussion last night. I figured he was hurting and I feel sorry for him. He’s a nice kid who has a lot going for him. Someone said payback is a bitch so maybe Ann will find that to be true. I don’t like to wish bad news on anyone but Billy is a good kid and shouldn’t have been hurt.

Arriving at school, seeing Jane as I entered my office, “What’s up?”

“I have someone for you to meet. Dr. Blake this is your secretary, James Butler.”

“James it’s good to meet you. I’m sorry that your office isn’t set up, I thought you'd like to select your furniture.”

“Thank you, sir. I won’t need much.”

“Dr. Blake the school will provide the furniture.”

“Is the furniture like what’s in your office?”

“Yes, sir, all secretary furniture is the same.” I just smiled. “You aren’t going to accept the standard are you?”

I just looked and smiled. “Don’t worry James, I have some ideas about your furniture and I’ll pay for it so the school doesn’t need to get upset because I’m not following precedent. Jane you’re getting to know me, maybe a little too much.”

Jane just laughed as she left. “James come into my office.” I indicated for him to take the chair in front of my desk. “What I had in mind for your office is a standing desk, some file cabinets, and a small sofa. I want to encourage students to drop in besides I like being a maverick.”

I watch James as he listened to what I told him about his office. Slowly I saw a smile begin to come as his eyes began to twinkle. “I like it. There’s a lot of information about standing desks for offices. They take up less space and I like being a maverick also. You knew that since I’m probably the only male secretary in a 100-mile radius.”

“Why did you decide to become a secretary? That isn’t a normal male position.”

“I wanted to break the floor, women focus on the ceiling, I focused on the floor. I like to interface with people, I find them fascinating. After talking to Jane, I think you and I will get along very well.”

“Yes, are you ready to be the talk of the school?”

“That doesn’t bother me but you should know, I’m engaged, and although I may be stereotyped. I’m not gay.”

“Your sexuality doesn’t bother me, I hired you for your skills, not your sexual preference. Until your furniture arrives, you’ll have to work out of my office.”

“Do you have any idea when my furniture will arrive?”

“Yes, tomorrow”

I picked up a stack of papers, told him to set up files, one for each student. “Ask Jane for any supplies you may need.”