Broken Toys

Chapter 12

The dean greeted the boys as they climbed into the car. "Ready for your interviews?" he asked cheerfully. "I hope you don't mind, but I thought we'd go out for dinner afterwards. I've got a favor to ask of the three of you."

"What's up?" Billy wanted to know, but the dean shook his head.

"Let's save that for later. I thought you'd like to know a bit about the interviews first." He paused a minute, looking at Zeke and Casey in the back seat. Neither of them looked all that interested but at least they appeared to be listening.

"You will each meet with Dean Norris, the dean of admissions. The interviews usually take 15 to 20 minutes. Mr. Conner, since you have already selected a major, the dean invited Dr McFadden, the head of the art department to participate in the interview as well. She teaches photography and is very interested in seeing your portfolio."

Casey nodded, but didn't smile. He held the portfolio tightly against his chest.

"What kind of questions will they ask, sir?" Billy wanted to know. He really wasn't that worried about the interview, but he was tired of the awkward silences.

"Mostly general questions, your interests, special skills or talents, career goals, some academic history."

Zeke snorted and the dean gave him a look in the rear view mirror.

"I recommend you emphasize your interests, Mr. Tyler."

"Yes, sir." Zeke replied, making a face that made Casey smile.

*****

Casey was blushing slightly and his eyes were bright when he emerged from his interview. It had been more of a comfortable conversation than an interview and he'd taken an instant liking to Dr. McFadden. They'd had an animated discussion of his portfolio and she had praised his work, making special mention of Billy's favorite, the picture of grass at improbable angles.

Although it wouldn't be official until the letters arrived, Dean Norris had given a verbal acceptance for admission to all three of them, although he had reminded Zeke that the acceptance was contingent on his successfully completing his senior year. Norris had even suggested that they might want to take a class or two during the summer to get an early start on their studies.

The dean drove to one of his favorite restaurants, a small family-owned diner specializing in what he thought of as comfort foods - meatloaf, pasta, even pancakes.

"What looks good?" Dean Parker asked as they examined their menus.

"Blueberry pancakes with whipped cream," Casey said wistfully, "but I'm not allowed." His voice trailed off and he closed the menu, his expression hardening.

"Blueberry pancakes with whipped cream *and* syrup," said Zeke, giving the boy a smile. "Sounds good, Case."

"Bacon or sausage with that, Casey?" Billy wanted to know.

"Both," Casey said with conviction.

"Make that four," the dean told the waitress, giving her a smile.

While they waited for the food to arrive, the dean returned to the earlier subject. "I told you I needed to ask you all a favor. One of the school's trustees donated a beach cottage to the school several months ago and I haven't had time to inventory the property. We need a complete set of photographs of the interior and exterior for insurance purposes as well as a second, more artistic set to use for promotional purposes. I was hoping the three of you would be willing to make the trip for me."

Casey started to protest but the dean stopped him. "The headmaster authorized me to pre-pay for your services as photographer, Casey. I need someone I trust taking these photographs." The dean reached into the inner pocket of his suit coat and withdrew a check. "It's far less than the standard rate for a professional photographer, but I hope you will accept this as payment for your time and talent."

Casey accepted the folded check, opening it and staring at the number. He looked at the dean uncertainly. This was enough to buy a new camera, plenty of film and still have a bit left over. "Sir, I..."

"All of your expenses will be covered and you will each receive a small stipend for your time." The dean took out another check and handed it to Zeke. "This should cover gas money, food and incidentals."

Zeke blinked at the number and nodded.

"In addition, you have use of the cottage until Sunday at noon." The dean gave each of them a stern look. "You should plan on returning early enough that you will be rested for the start of classes on Monday morning."

The three boys looked at each other, grinning.

The dean smiled too, carefully concealing the concerns he had about sending them so far away, especially with Casey's self-inflicted wounds still fresh and the numbness of the morning's event not yet worn off. He didn't doubt Billy and Zeke's willingness to take care of Casey, but it was a huge responsibility.

He forced his attention back to the present. The decision had already been made, he just had to trust them.

"Is this acceptable?" The three boys nodded. "Good, then I'll expect you to report to my office tomorrow morning at 9:30. I'll have a map and directions to the cottage."

The dean looked up as the waitress arrived with their pancakes. As she set the plate down in front of him he tried not to think about how much exercise he'd have to do to work off the mountain of sugar and fat he was about to consume.

Around him, the boys dug in without hesitation.

*****

Zeke glanced in the rear view mirror and smiled. Casey was sleeping, his arms wrapped protectively around the case containing his brand new camera.

They'd gotten a later start than intended because Casey had lingered in the camera shop a very long time, agonizing between a flashier, more expensive camera and a more modest, less expensive one. In the end he had chosen the less expensive one, intending to use the difference to have his old camera repaired.

Zeke had hidden away the broken lens attachment and the old camera looked odd without it so Casey had tucked it away in his dresser, unwilling to discard his beloved camera, despite the recent, painful events.

Zeke swore under his breath at the traffic and reached over to eject the cassette that had been playing.

"I get next pick," Billy reminded him as he selected a tape and popped it in the player. They'd both had a conversation with the dean and he'd urged them to cooperate with each other and to make an effort to stop catering quite so much to Casey. He reminded them sternly and at length about how vulnerable Casey was and their need for constant vigilance, but not overindulgence. He explained that he wanted to bring some normality back into Casey's life and it wouldn't happen if they pampered him.

Already things were off to a shaky start.

"How am I supposed to drive while listening to that crap?" Zeke snapped.

"I'll turn it down," Billy offered, reaching for the volume control.

"Don't. Forget it." Zeke tapped his fingers on the steering wheel, then looked over at Billy. "Sorry."

"Don't worry about it," Billy said, meeting Zeke's eyes for a second before they both returned their attention to the road. Neither one had a clue how to broach the subject that was really bothering them.

"How far to the turn?" Zeke asked after a while.

"About another 5 miles, maybe 6. There should be a sign. Then it's a lot of turns and we're there. Maybe another half-hour at the most." Billy looked over at Zeke. "You ok?"

"Yeah, yeah." He managed a half smile. "So how far away from civilization is this place?"

"Pretty far. The dean said there's seven acres total and the beach is private, has a security gate and everything."

"So much for a boardwalk and cheap souvenir shops," Zeke joked.

"Yeah, it won't seem like the beach at all," Billy replied, grinning.

Their eyes met again, for an instant, and the smiles faded. Not even Casey was under any illusions as to at least part of the reason they'd been sent here. The dean was getting to be like some kind of annoying fairy godmother/social worker. Too bad he couldn't wave his magic wand and fix everything.

"Turn's coming up," Billy warned. They followed the directions carefully and finally arrived at the security gate. Billy hopped out and opened it, letting Zeke drive through, then closing the gate behind them and locking it again.

The noise had woken Casey and he sat up groggily, looking around.

A long narrow driveway wandered through tall, thin trees finally opening up to reveal the cottage.

"Whoa," Billy said, summing up the reaction for all of them.

"Some cottage," Zeke added.

It was two stories high, and all wood, painted a faded purple-blue color with darker trim. There was a large, shaded front porch and lots of windows.

Zeke parked off to the side under a tree for shade and shut off the engine. The three of them climbed out a bit stiffly, walking around a bit to loosen up their cramped legs.

Billy dug the key out of his pocket. "Ready?" They nodded and followed him to the cottage. He unlocked the door and stepped aside, motioning for Casey to go first. The boy complied, hobbling through the doorway and stopping cold. He turned around with a smile.

Zeke and Billy squeezed in around him.

"Whoa," Billy repeated.

They were in a small foyer and straight ahead was a living room with a wall of glass, opening on to a large patio and beyond to the ocean. They moved ahead slowly, trying to take in everything at once. The back wall of the living room was lined with bookshelves. Off to one side was a staircase leading up to the second level and on the other side was a large screen TV and stereo system.

"I could get used to this," Zeke said mildly, and the three of them laughed.

"Fridge is stocked as promised," Billy reported. He rummaged around opening cupboards and drawers. "Either of you know how to cook?"

Zeke gave him a look. "You kidding?"

Casey shook his head and headed for the TV.

"Videos," he reported, examining the shelves beside the television. "Some good ones."

"As long as it's not that sci fi B movie crap, Case," Zeke replied, sliding back one of the glass doors and stepping out onto the patio.

"What's wrong with B movies?" Casey wanted to know, following Zeke outside. It was a familiar and good-humored argument between the two of them.

Billy listened to the mild bickering and smiled. The breeze carried the familiar ocean scent and he breathed deeply, a little of his tension easing. He followed his friends outside and leaned against the back of one of the chairs, just watching the waves.

It was mid-afternoon and the sky was clear. It was warm enough in the sun despite the breeze and they just stayed there, not talking, each wrapped in their own thoughts as they looked out at the water.

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