Adam Blake - 1. Chapter 1

“Will Adam Blake please report to the principal’s office.” Everyone in my class looked at me as they heard the message. I also wondered why I was being summoned. I gathered my books and walked to the principal’s office.

I’m not sure why but junior and senior classes were on the second and third floor. Offices are at the front on the first floor along with the cafeteria. AP classes are on the third floor and of course, that is where I was when the summons came.

“Miss Leggit, I was called to see Mr. Colton.”

“I’m sorry Adam, he was just called home for an emergency. You’re to see Mr. Cheston.”

I walked to Mr. Cheston’s office. I was thinking about Mr. Colton. His wife had cancer and I was hoping she wasn’t the reason for the emergency. I knocked on his office door, I heard “Come on in Adam” I guess he was expecting me.

“Mr. Cheston, I understand you’re filling in for Mr. Colton. I’m not sure why he wanted to see me.”

“Yes, Adam, he had an emergency at home. What he was going to ask if you would consider helping one of the football players. The Coach is very concerned about Jerry Bolton not passing math. He wants you to tutor him so he can pass and play.”

“Sure I’ll help him but scheduling may be a problem. I know the football team practices in the morning before school starts and the coach also keeps the starting team after school to run plays. So I’d have to tutor him at my home.”

“I’ll discuss that with the coach, stop by my office before you leave school today.”

“I went back to my class, just as they were leaving. I asked my teacher for my homework assignment and left for my next class. My best friend was waiting for me when he saw I had returned. “What did the principal want?”

“He wasn’t there, had an emergency at home. I spoke to Mr. Cheston. They want me to consider tutoring one of the football players.”

“Are you going to do it?”

“Sure why not?”

“You won’t be able to do it in school unless you stay after they finish practicing. You can’t do it in the morning because we run in the morning and they also have practice in the morning.”

“I could do it at home either before or after supper. I’m sure, if it’s important, the coach will figure a way for it to be done. I think it’ll be fun.”

As soon as we walked into the classroom, everyone wanted to know why I was called to the principal’s office. Billy told them they wanted me to tutor one of the football players, the next question was, who. I didn’t tell Billy who so he didn’t know. Before I could answer the teacher entered and started the class.

Lunch was next and every one of my friends tried to get me to tell them who I was going to tutor, and then I thought, I’m not going to tell them. Suppose the player didn’t want to be tutored or didn’t want anyone to know, so I didn't tell them. Just as we were finishing lunch, the Coach walked to our table and asked me to meet him in his office.

I took my tray, dumped the garbage, and placed it on the window. “Where are you going?”

“The coach asked me to stop by his office, I’ll meet you in class.”

The coach’s office was on the first floor right next to the gym and lockers. I knocked on the door and entered the office. Jerry was sitting there and he didn’t look happy.

“Adam, do you know Jerry?”

“Coach, everyone knows Jerry. Hi, Jerry ready to learn a few math tricks.”

Jerry looked like he just lost his favorite dog. “Coach, if it’s all right I’d like to help Jerry at my home. I think with your schedule it’d be difficult to find time at school. Jerry, no one would need to know you're being helped unless you tell them.” I think that statement relieved a lot of Jerry’s concerns.

We agreed our first meeting would be this coming Thursday. The coach was going to talk to Jerry’s math teacher and get his input as to what areas Jerry needed help. Jerry was a senior so for him playing football was important if he wanted to go to college.

I stopped at Mr. Cheston’s office when school let out. “Mr. Cheston, may I see Jerry’s math tests so I’ll know where to concentrate my efforts.” I waited while he called Jerry’s math teacher and asked for the tests. I thought it'd be a good idea as I could ask the teacher some questions.

While I waited for Mr. Alvarez, I took the opportunity to ask about Mrs. Colton. “As far as we know, she was rushed to the hospital.”

“I hope she’ll be ok. The last time I met her, she seemed to be a very nice lady.”

“This will be hard for Mr. Colton, he was devoted to her. Oh, Carlos, come on in. You know Adam.”

“Yes, how are you, Adam. I understand you have taken the job of tutoring Jerry.”

“Yes, sir, I’m hoping you’ll give me some insight into his problems.”

“I have copies of his test papers, I’d suggest that you use these as a start. They may give you that insight you’re looking for.”

“He doesn’t have any problem learning the plays and I guess they would be as difficult as learning equations. Thanks for the tests, Mr. Alvarez. Our first session is this Thursday at my home.”

“Couldn’t you have done it here?”

“There were two problems, first their football practice schedule is in the morning and afternoon and second I think Jerry is a little embarrassed needing help. I think it’s a macho issue and he’s afraid of being teased by his teammates. So at my home, no one needs to know. I left the office in time to catch my bus home.