Adam Blake - 134. Chapter 134

It seemed like summer was over very quickly when James showed up to start the school year. New students arrived at the Academy, and a week later, the College students arrived. The first week for both groups was orientation; I asked my seniors to welcome the new students. They did a fantastic job.

Then the routine began. We had our Square Table Squires, which our Knights took very seriously. I told Hans he had to build more Chalets. I was down 15 but up 38 students.

At the first opportunity, I bought a gross of metal forks for grilling. Dad bought four more boats, and I had a boathouse built to store the boats when not in use. I was ready to spend a weekend at the cabin.

It was fun seeing the new boys react to their first weekend at the cabin. Fishing was fun, and thankfully no one fell into the lake. A few of my new boys like running, so it didn’t take long for Johnny to take them under his wing.

Abe and Jer had to show me their test scores from the internet. “You boys are doing very well. Abe, we need to think pretty soon about you going to high school.” Mom looked at me and winked. She and Evelyn have gotten pretty close. It wouldn’t surprise me if she and the boys moved in with Mom and Dad, then the boys could go to a regular school.

Marie finally found someone to take over her clinic, but she had to promise to help out on weekends when she was in town. Abe got the buckets, waited, and soon one of the boys saw him. He came and took the buckets and headed up the trail to the apple tree, followed by the boys from last year. The boys from last year headed to the berry bushes. The new kids began to pick up the apples until one of the boys gave him a berry. Then forget the apples, it was berry picking time.

“Abe, those buckets will be empty.”

“That is okay dad, Jer and I picked several buckets, and they are in the freezer at the cabin. While they picked the berries, or I should say while they ate the berries, Abe and I started to pick apples. It wasn’t long the new troops came and help. Evan had to climb the tree and then pretend to fall. The boys laughed. Evan just grinned.”

Evan was going to be a junior this year, one more year, and he will finish the Academy. That evening as we sat around the table, having a late-night snack, “Evan, are you planning on going to the College when you graduate from the Academy?”

“You trying to get rid of me, dad?”

“No, never, I just wanted to know how much longer I had to keep an eye on you when my wife was around.”

Caleb came out with sausages for dinner. The boys seeing Caleb headed to the fire pit. I went and got the metal forks. I took one and put a sausage on it. “Dad, where did you get that?”

“I bought them for this. Do you want one?”

“Yes”

“Okay, go and ask Gramps to give you one for each of your brothers.”

I watched as he ran down to the cabin, then I saw Dad look at me. I held up my fork. They went into the garage and came out with all of the forks. “Why don’t you give each of the Knights a fork to use?”

As each Knight got a fork, they held it up and smiled. Of course, there is always a clown. Evan took the first sausage he cooked and gave it to Marie. She kissed him. Talk about a bantam rooster. They had nothing on Evan. He stuttered back to his spot. Marie and I just laughed.”

Going back to the Academy, the boys were happy. I whispered to Evan that if he wanted to impress my wife, he should compose a school song, but you can’t include her name in the song. I knew there would be two songs, one he would sing with Marie’s name.

Arriving back at the Academy, the boys looked tired. From all of that running, fishing and late night story telling around the fire pit, it made them tired. I think a few may have fallen asleep on the bus.

I didn’t expect them to be at breakfast in the morning, I told James to check and we might start later and extend class time past five to make up for the late start.

He came back and said the boys are up waiting for you. Marie came and we went to the Dining Hall for breakfast. “Dad, you missed your run this morning.”

“Thanks for reminding me Johnny. You Knights aren’t the only ones that get tired.” He laughed and patted me on my stomach. I knew my clothes were getting a little snug and he was right, I need to get back in the habit of running each morning.

Marie and I stood at the end of the line, as the boys passed with their food, Marie gave each one a kiss on their cheek, Evan went and got in line twice. He’s a rascal. I’m not sure what his role in life will be but I’m sure there will be a lot of tricks and humor.

As usual the boys stood untill Marie and I brought our food, then we all sat down together. “I’m surprised you are up so early. I thought the way you all looked last night you would sleep in.”

“Dad, I wish we had those beds in the old dorms, they are so comfortable. I got in bed and the first thing I knew it was morning.”

It was important for me to be sure that the boys had a good night’s sleep. I knew who would have a good mattress, so I contacted the firm that the Directors used and ordered the mattresses for the dorms and the staff apartments.