Adam Blake - 137. Chapter 137

We had Christmas dinner at the Cabin and then headed to Liechtenstein for the rest of the season. Between Gerry, Hans, Gunther, and Anton, they got me on a pair of skies. I fell a lot, making everyone laugh, It was fun, but I’d rather run than ski, at least for now.

By the end of the two weeks, I was able to go down a hill without falling. On the way home, Gerry told me that hill was used to teach children how to ski.

With everyone arriving back at school in time for classes, I noticed everyone wearing their sweaters. Caleb had a smile. His young lady was still here, and he brought her to our table. “The captain on the boat married us.”

I said congratulations, “You have married a beautiful young lady. I guess we are both lucky in that way.” He smiled as they walked away. I looked at Marie, “You need to make a friend. I’m sure she’s a little out of her element being in a foreign country among strange people.” I felt a hand, ‘definitely warm.’

Little Marie entered the world the week after Easter. In my eyes, she was the most beautiful baby I have ever seen. Mom just strutted around. Marie couldn’t do anything. Finally, Dad took her home.

For the next several weeks, education took priority. It seems there are two seasons when education is the most critical activity, the weeks leading up to the holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas, and then the weeks leading up to Easter.

Looking ahead to the new year, Billy will be a senior in the fall. We have enrollment in August for the Academy, followed by acceptance letters going out for the College. Next year we’ll have our first graduating class. I need to get a speaker, maybe Richard.

“Doc, are you going to do your seminars again this year?”

“Yes, why or what do you have up your sleeve?”

“I thought maybe you could tape them, and then they could take a copy home with them.”

“That’s a good idea. We’ll need some sophisticated taping equipment. Now I don’t suppose you have someone in mind.”

“Seth’s brother works at a TV station. Should I ask him for ideas?”

“James, you know what will happen, you ask, he talks, you say can you do it, he’ll say I suppose, then you bring him in here to meet me. Deal done”

“I think you need a project. You’re getting to know me too well.”

“Let’s do it. Maybe if I do it on the internet, I’d reach a larger audience.”

“And they would need to buy your book.”

“Now who is getting wise and needs a project.”

Thanks to James, I have a project to work on. Of course, I still had a lot of correspondence. At Dinner, “Jane, did the school always get so much mail.”

“No, unless the teachers got mail, but Arlene never got much.”

“James suggested that next year we include a line in our budget for stamps.”

“From what he tells me, it probably wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

“Hello Johnny, what do you hear from Billy.”

“He told me that the coaches at his University were very surprised to see him win the Gold. They want him to teach the other runners the warm-ups he uses and to help them run. He said he’d be the youngest assistant coach in the school’s history, and they are willing to pay him.”

“They didn’t say that having a Gold Olympian on staff would help their recruiting, did they? I’m glad for Billy. After the way the US coaches treated him, he came into his own.”

Now I expect a wedding soon. I’m sure Bill is happy. Less money for Billy means he can save more for Scott.

I told Marie about James’s suggestion. She thought it was a good idea, “You can use the tape for future seminars or be used by other teaching institutions, but you’ll need to have it translated into different languages.”

“I’ll need the book translated as well.”

“I told James what Marie said and then about the translations. James started to laugh, “You have 110 translators plus teachers at your beck and call.”

He was right, and this could be a work of significance for the Academy and College. The profits will be accrued to the schools and perhaps to an expansion if the need exists. Maybe we could start a Master’s program. All my instructors at the College have a doctorate degree.

That evening at supper, I explained the project to my sons, they were enthusiastic about it, and they all wanted to help. So I printed information from my previous seminars and gave it to them to translate into their language. My students from Great Britain and Ireland didn’t have to do it as they spoke English as a first language.”

“Father”

“Yes, Amir.”

“I’ll need a special typewriter to do a translation in the language of my country.”

“Let’s go and see James and see if we can order one for you.” Putting my arm around his shoulders, I led him to James’s office.

“James, we have a request for the genii of the Academy. Amir needs a special typewriter to do the translations. Can you check the internet? Amir will show you which one to buy.”

I left Amir with James, and Amir got a hug and a kiss on the head when I left. He was one of my sons, and I’d make sure I treated him as a father should.

Marie and I were sitting with the Knights. Evan was holding Little Marie, and he was telling everyone she was his niece. Have you ever met a rascal that somehow finds a place in your heart? That was Evan.

Marie found a retired doctor to take over her practice at the clinic, and now she runs the medical department at King’s. The young intern from Anton’s stay has accepted the position at the Academy, and now I had two doctors on staff. Uncle Mountain retired and, on occasion, helped at the clinic. He moved into Marie’s house and said it was difficult to decide to go to the clinic or fishing. Mom and Dad made sure that he was looked after when they were at the cabin.

Marie found no problem finding a babysitter for Little Marie. Evan had to approve. I was sure her first words wouldn’t be English.