Adam Blake - 71. Chapter 71

Able brought a sketch of my sign. “I like it, when can you start?”

“I have started, Mr. Rusello said you’d like it.”

“He’s right, I do like it.”

At dinner I was swamped with boys, “Sir, they said you are leaving, is that true?”

“What, leave my Knights? Did King Arthur ever leave his Knights? No, never. They will have to carry me out fighting all the way”

“You know what is going to happen?”

“My army is going to strike again?”

He nodded yes. And strike they did. My phone started to ring about 2:30. “Doc, how do you want me to answer the phone.”

“Take a message and tell them I’m currently inspecting the new gymnasium and you’ll see that I get the message as soon as I return.”

“May I ask Jane to come and answer one of the phones, I’m running between your office and mine.”

“Yes”

Then I laughed, my army has struck. Jane came, James told her what was happening. I left for a walk.

As I was walking among the back gardens, Joe saw me. “Sir, look” He took me by my hand and led me to a patch. “This is my herb garden.”

I bent over and pinched a leaf of a plant, he watched me, I smelled it, crumbled it, and smelled it again. “This smells like sage?”

He laughed, “No it’s Basel.”

“The boy knows.”

“Hello Charlie, how is our apprentice doing.”

I watched as Charlie put his hand on Joe’s shoulder. Joe just beamed. “This lad is a bright young man. He wants to be a farmer, and if he becomes one, I’ll bet it’ll be the best farm around.”

“Well, if that is the case, then we’ll make sure he gets the education to be the best farmer around. What do you do with the herbs you grow?”

“I buy them, with your money?”

“Hello Marcel, you are just the man I wanted to see. I’ve had a few requests for seafood, particularly what was brought from the pantry on the second floor.”

“Are there any dietary restrictions?”

“That never occurred to me, I need to check, I’ll let you know.” I knew from the receipts that we normally purchase beef, pork, and chicken.

I watched as Marcel spoke to Joey. Joey went and picked some herbs, gave them to him and Marcel gave him some money.

“He does that every day.”

“How much does he give him”

“50 cents to a dollar, depending on the amount, I’d hire him as a helper right now if he was old enough.”

I waved goodbye and gave Joe 5 coins. He smiled and headed for the snack machines.

When I got to the office, the madness continued.

“Doc, you need to start answering these calls.”

“Ok, start forwarding them to me.”

The calls were mostly that their sons were concerned I was leaving. That was easily put to bed. I explained there was some discussion about me leaving to teach teachers my methods, but I have decided this position is more important. They were relieved to hear that.

I told James he could relay that message.

One call was a little disturbing, it was from one of the trustees. He accused me of generating an uprising. I asked him if he had a son in our school, he said no. I told him my concerns are with my students, I am here to serve their best interests and I have no intentions of leaving my position at the academy. I don’t know if he was satisfied or not. James heard me and smiled.

Over the next few days, everything returned to normal, well as normal as it would get for me.

“Good morning, Richard”

“Sir, my dad would like to meet you this weekend at his hotel.”

“Richard, you tell your dad if he would like to rough it a little, he’d be welcome to spend the weekend at my cabin. And you could come with him.”

Billy showed up the next day. “Adam, Ann keeps calling saying she is pregnant and the baby is mine. I never had sex with her and she said she was on the pill. I think the real father if she is pregnant, must be that guy she dumped me for.”

“Don’t worry and I do know why you couldn't tell your father. Your dad’s a good guy but he’d believe her and not because of you but because she pushed you into it. Do you mind if I share this with Marie? How long did she say she was?”

“She said she missed her period the last three months.”

“You weren’t seeing her 3 months or 4 months ago. You broke up with her before your school started. That was almost 7 months ago. Don’t worry, it won’t fly. If she calls again, tell her you need to have a doctor to confirm the pregnancy.”

He smiled, he knew who the doctor would be. “Have you seen Johnny?”

“Not yet, I just arrived. I’ll catch him later. Can I stay at the cabin tonight?”

“Of course, you needn’t ask. Marie has the key if you need it. Billy, stay away from the diner. You can eat here as my guest tonight before you leave.”

I got a hug. James looked at me. I mouthed the word nephew.

The rest of the day was routine. Well, that is until supper. Lawrence, at Marcel’s request, asked about dietary restrictions. I expected quite a few, but Marcel said there aren’t any. I knew that the boys away from home wanted to experiment with foods they normally wouldn’t be privy to. I wanted to make sure they were not coached into their position. I asked Lawrence who are the boys that are or should be on dietary restriction. He gave me their names, I met with them, they indicated that they wanted to try seafood, but not pork. One said he tried it and didn’t like the taste.

I told Marcel to be sure to identify any dishes that contained pork, otherwise, everything else was ok.

Supper that night was a fish stew which was exceptional. I went for a second bowl, smaller than the first. All of the boys, including Billy, had two full bowls. Marcel was smiling and right next to him was Caleb. The sandwich counter was specializing in subs, small subs. I need to start an exercise program, I noticed a few clothes getting tight around the middle.

Walking back to my office, after checking out the study, Billy and Johnny met me. “Uncle Adam, can Johnny come with me to the cabin.”

“Billy that isn’t a problem except Johnny has classes tomorrow.”

“I’ll bring him here before classes start.”

I looked at Billy, “Ok, but Johnny is to be here for his first class.”

When I arrived at my office, I called Marie. Told her about Billy and a friend coming over to the cabin and could she arrange for some food, particularly in the morning. Billy needs to be here before his friend Johnny's first class. Then I told her about Ann. She said she is pregnant and she has a sample of the embryonic fluid to check. I asked how far along was she, her best estimate was between 3 and 4 months. She’ll know more after additional tests. I told her Billy said she was on the pill. She will check and see when the last prescription was filled.

I felt comfortable with Marie involved. Before Billy left I gave him a twenty for gas and whatever else he might need. I also told him Marie would have food for him.