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- 06/19/2021
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Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you.
Adam Blake - 81. Chapter 81
“The rest of the morning, I answered letters from parents. I got a few permission slips for the cabin visits. I numbered them.
I called Marie to let her know I was back. We chit-chatted for a while then I asked her if we could increase the number of beds in the rooms. I explained I would be bringing kids home and it would be good if I could arrange the rooms with maybe something like bunk beds. She started to laugh. “I need something to get my dad out of my hair, this would be a great project for him.” She asked if I was coming home this weekend, I said I was and so far I have two boys coming home with me. We talked a little more, then said goodbye.
I was thinking she will have a lot to talk to me about this weekend. Her new emergency vehicle will be arriving Friday morning.
Dinner is always an interesting time for me. It gave me more time with the boys. Marcel continues to surprise me. He prepared Cornish hens, stuffed with mushrooms and rice. Each boy had half of the chicken and of course, they could go back. A fresh green salad was to balance the meal. Desert was a thin crust turnover and you had to be careful, the crust was so thin and flaky it could break easily.
There were a few comments accompanied by smiles. Even James was impressed. I looked over at the staff, and they were nodding approval. On the way out of the Dining Hall, Bob patted me on the back, "Thanks”
James heard and looked at me. Then Jane came and kissed me on the cheek, now James was curious. Ok enough, I need to talk to Jane.
When dinner was over, I gave each of the boys a hug and a kiss on the head. The last was Lawrence, “Dad, you have no idea of what you have caused.”
Now I need to have a conference with Lawrence.
The rest of the afternoon I answered family mail. I sent letters off to the trustees telling them I’ll be offering two scholarships this fall and I already have the students chosen. I showed the letter to James, “Get ready for a fight.”
The rest of the day I addressed letters. Some were amusing, some were congratulatory and some were what I call routine. These are usually letters of appreciation for what I wrote the last time. “James, do you think the parents write these letters or a secretary is told to answer and send them to us? I’m going to find Hans, the coaches aren't coming, I think Hans may have a few in mind that can help both in the sports department and the security department.”
I found him in his office, looking at plot plans. “Hans” I startled him, laughing, “I have something for you to think about. I need two men to work with Coach Jasper. I need someone for swimming, teaching boys to swim, and teaching life-saving skills. I also need someone to train the boys in martial arts. Who do you know?”
“Sir, I have two men in mind, one is my younger brother, he’s our country’s swimming champion and the other is my old teacher. I think both of them would like to come.”
“Make the arrangements and let me know the details.”
I went to see Jane at the testing center, “Ok, Jane tell me what you know and what’s going on.”
She started to laugh, “Arlene never fully realized what she did by hiring you and then trying to force you out. You have remade this school, you can bet the new class will be as large as the class you have now. I know about the boys, I’ve known for a long time. Being Arlene’s secretary I was privy to a lot of information. I know about you and Gerry, they all do. This isn’t a school for learning, this is a school for friendships, building the knowledge and skills necessary when they accept their roles. But you know about that, as guardian of Gerry. Whether you know it or not, you are now a very powerful man. You can fight the trustees on an even footing.”
“Jane you are a smart woman. I’m glad you’re my friend and in my corner, you always have been. I understand you have organized the secretaries into a pool, I have increased your salary. Responsibility demands recognition.”
Saying that as I left, I hurried down to my office.
“James, Hans has two men in mind for the swimming and martial arts training, we’ll need two staff rooms available for them. Just as a matter of interest, how many staff rooms do we have open.”
“By my latest count, taking into account the three new staff members, 2. You know, we could re-do the director's rooms. The original prints called for staff rooms in that wing, the directors re-did the rooms for their use.”
“We should keep one room as it is for special guests, let’s return the other rooms to their original design. Talk to our new custodian and get him to take on the project. As a matter of interest, how many boys are equivalent to full occupancy?”
“You have 60 now, so that takes up 30 dorms. I need to check but I think the plans show 100 dorms, 50 on each side of the hall. But I need to check, why?”
“I’m expecting a heavy enrollment this fall.”
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Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you.
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