Adam Blake - 34. Chapter 34

The next two weeks, I helped around the house fixing a bunch of little jobs, ran with Billy and Bill, when he was home. Took Scotty and friends to the park, which ended up with ice cream before heading home. We had dinner a few nights with Jen and Bill, we reciprocated by having them over. It was two weeks before I had to report back to the university to begin my preparations for the new term when I received a letter from the school.

The letter started with, ‘After a thorough discussion with the school’s Board of Directors, we have decided to adjust our offer’… I couldn’t believe the new salary. It was double the amount in the first offer. I immediately called Henry and told him. He was thrilled and said he already had my replacement lined up.

That evening I thought how did Henry know about the new offer, knowing I would accept and lined up my replacement? Something wasn’t right. So I called Henry and asked him. I couldn’t believe what he said. At one of his conferences, he met the head of state of an African country. They became friends and his son attends this private school. He called his friend, he wouldn’t tell me who and told him about me. His friend told him to line up my replacement because he would see that the school made the correct offer.

The next morning I sent an acceptance letter to the school confirming what was in the offer. Two days later I received a call from Dr. McMillan welcoming me. She asked to meet with me the following week, to which I agreed.

I sat down with Mom and Dad, told them about the offer and that I had accepted. “We need to plan on another trip to the cabin. I’ll call Bill and let him know, maybe they can come with us.”

Bill took off Friday so we were able to leave Friday morning. Since Bill had to be back on Monday, he drove his car. “Dad, I’ll be living at the cabin when I’m not on campus, so over the next few weeks when you and Mom come up, could you bring the rest of my clothes? I have packed enough for two weeks but since I’ll be living there, I might as well have all of my clothes there.”

“What about your apartment at the university?”

“I’ll have Henry handle that. It’s a nice apartment and maybe my replacement will want to rent it. They can ship my things to you and then you can bring them with you on one of your many visits.” I smiled at them when I said that. The apartment came furnished and they were only a few items that I wanted. Henry would take care of that.

We drove straight through, Mom and Jen had packed a picnic lunch which we ate as we gassed up the cars. Billy looked at me, he had a questioned look. I knew he wanted to know about the diner. I avoided the subject. Going into the station to pay for the gas, I had a tail. “Adam, are we going to stop at the diner?”

I was going to tease him but decided not to do that. “Yes, for dinner”

He was a happy camper from that moment on. Pulling into the parking lot, Billy hurried into the diner. Ann’s mother saw us coming in and pulled together a table big enough for all of us. Billy introduced Bill and Jen to Ann’s mother. He then looked around, Ann was at home. She didn’t work today. In today's world of technology, nothing stops a man on a quest. “Adam, may I borrow your car?

“Coming right back?” He nodded yes, I gave him the keys.

“Thirty minutes later Billy was back with Ann. He introduced her to his mom and dad, pulled out the chair next to his seat, and offered it to Ann. I just smiled and nodded my head indicating that I was proud of him. Ann’s mother was surprised to see her at our table, “How did you get here?”

Ann just nodded in the direction of Billy.

Dinner was quite vocal as Ann was telling Bill and Jen about the area and the activities this weekend. Bill had to be back at work, Jen said she didn’t have to be back at work and would return when he came to get them the next weekend. Dad said he’d go back with Bill as there were a few loose ends he needed to tie up. I think he felt Bill should have company going back.

The weekend was great. We went into the town, if you wanted to call it a town, more like a very small village. I surprised Marie at the clinic, reminded her about the dinner she promised. Billy, Bill, and I ran every morning. Every time I run with Billy I become more convinced he is Olympic material.”

I promised I’d be there to coach him when he went to the trials. I was hoping it’d be when I didn’t have to be at school.

Sunday night, Bill and Dad left. With the usual cautions, drive carefully, if you get tired pullover and rest, here’s a thermos of coffee to help keep you awake, etc., etc. All offered in good faith and plenty of love.

Monday morning I headed to the school. Billy stayed home and I wouldn’t be surprised if he spent the afternoon at Finny’s Diner.

“The meeting at the school went very well. I was shown my office and introduced to the various instructors that I hadn’t met before. I reviewed the curriculum, I reviewed the top and bottom 10 percent of students, and then I was offered to have lunch in the Staff Dining Room. “Dr. McMillan, I would prefer to have lunch in the student's dining room. One gathers a lot of insight into student behavior when not in class. I’ll also learn a little about their behavior toward other students.”

“I think that you are the first teacher or Director that has made that request. I don’t see any reason why you couldn’t but you need to dine in the Staff Dining Room, we discuss a lot of the school's business during lunch. I’ll have Jane show you where the student dining room is located.”

I waited for Jane to come to my office. The first thing she noticed is that my office door was open. “Is your door open for any reason?”

“No, I’ve always kept my office doors open in case someone wants to come and talk to me, if it’s a private matter, I close my door. I want students to feel free to come and discuss any problem with me. I’ll see that you get a copy of my book and then you’ll understand me more. Shall we go to lunch?”