Adam Blake - 136. Chapter 136

I did what Marie suggested. I saw a few more games we could play. I went to see Coach Jasper and see what he thought.

“Adam, it’s a good idea, but I’m not sure there are all-inclusive games. Running, but you know the boys who run will eliminate any other boys.”

That night, “What would you say if I asked the boys to nominate anyone who they think deserves a medal.”

“Adam, I think you should give up. Anything you do will break the harmony the boys enjoy now. Life is competitive enough without adding to it.”

I wanted them to have something tangible that would last a lifetime as a reminder of the friendship they created at the Academy. I know the Knight of the Square Table medallion would help them. Maybe that is enough.

I called Dad in the morning and told him to stop any work on the sports medals. We talked, and he agreed with Marie.

“You know what your problem is, Adam, you’re bored. For the last several years, you were turning things around, it was like an adventure for you, and now everything is done, the schools are running smoothly, and you are bored. You should teach.”

I looked at her, and she was right. I should teach. For the next two months, I reviewed my seminar notes. I needed to rethink what I taught in the seminar. Those teachings were meant as a prep for teachers. Now I need to develop a course for helping people to apply those concepts to everyday situations. I had my next project.

Thanksgiving came, and there was no question, we’d be at the cabin. It was good to see Evelyn and the boys. Mom said they were doing very well in school. With Evelyn taking care of the house, Mom was back to playing in her quartet.

Dad told me that Evelyn’s husband was found dead in the lake. He drowned when he was intoxicated. Evelyn knew, but the boys didn’t.

I was standing on the front porch of Marie’s house, looking at the cabin. There were so many chalets that you would think you were in an alpine village if it wasn’t for the cabin. “A penny for your thoughts?”

“I think when I retire, I’m going to run a boys camp. Look at all of those chalets; it would be a natural.”

I looked at her, she smiled, “You may need to run a girl’s camp.”

“Why?”

She whispered in my ear, “I’m pregnant, and it’s a girl.” I looked at her. I was utterly stunned and overjoyed as well. “When?”

“Easter”

“Does Mom know?”

“Watch her, and you’ll find out your answer.”

“It’s too bad that your dad isn’t here to see her. He would spoil her terribly.” Marie’s dad died two years after we were married. He had cancer and never told anyone.

“Okay, I’ll race you to the cabin.”

I ran she rowed over. “Adam, why didn’t you row over? Marie shouldn’t be rowing. It isn’t good for the baby.”

“Marie, what’s Mom talking about? Are you pregnant? Why didn’t you tell me, or is it because it isn’t mine?”

Mom looked like a kid that just got caught with his hands in the cookie jar. “Marie, I’m sorry I didn’t know you hadn’t said anything.”

“So Marie, is it mine or Evan’s” Now I had to stop. I began to laugh as I picked Marie up and swung her around. Yes, I got hit on the head.

Gerry wanted to know why I was so happy; I told him he would be a big brother. He smiled, “A princess, wait until our people find out. There will be a big celebration when she is born.”

The news got around the school very fast. The boys wouldn’t let Marie carry her tray. Evan became her personal servant. You would think he was the father. The Knights loved Marie. Why wouldn’t they? She was a lovely person inside and outside. I was glad I waited for her.

I was back in the box again for Christmas. I would get rings for the new boys. But now I needed something for the college boys. James suggested sweaters with the school name, and if possible, a picture of the front of the schools embroidered on the sweater.”

I spoke to my ladies, Mom and Marie. They thought it was a great idea and suggested we also include their name. Now I needed a layout and to find a place to make them. The design was easy; Rusello did that for me. I took pictures of the front of the schools, and now I needed Dad to find someone to manufacture them. It was Richard who found a company in Scotland to make them.

I called Sammy, Dad drove him up, and on the pretense of selling rings, he took the ring measurements of the new boys.

There were some changes this year, Caleb met a young woman in France, and they fell in love in Paris. I joked about Paris being the city of love. His Christmas gift was easy, I had her flown here, and he’d meet her on the cruise ship. This year all of the staff would get a seven-night, eight-day cruise. Rusello and Able were off to Europe, only this time to France. Although I think they probably would stop in Italy as well. The French chefs would be going home to spend some time with family before joining the cruise.

I found that the cooks and nonprofessional staff enjoyed the pictures on paper money. So I had gift baskets organized and a cash bonus equivalent to a month’s salary.

Richard brought me a sweater to show me how they would look. I really liked them, they were wool, and I knew what they would be put to good use by my sons and myself when we were home.

I could tell Christmas was coming as the boys’ attention span became shorter. Thinking about the absence of family for several months, I’d be anxious for the holidays as well.

It seems there is always one parent who is determined to spoil Christmas. “Father, Harry is crying, his parents aren’t coming for him, and he will have to stay at the school.”

“Who said he had to stay at the school?” Gerry saw the twinkle in my eyes, “Yep, warm.”

I went to Harry’s dorm. I knocked, and Harry opened the door. H\e had been crying. “I’ve been told that your parents won’t be coming to pick you up, so I have decided you’ll spend Christmas with me.”

In a blink, I had a young boy in my arms. His roommate, Paul, “I told you Harry, King Arthur would not let you stay here alone.” I looked, hmm, King Arthur.

“Let’s dry those tears and take a walk to the Pub, Paul join us.”

Of course, by the time we got there, I had an entourage. Gerry came up to me, put his hand on my heart, “definitely hot.”