Sunday, May 13, 1984
10:33 am
“Do you want to drive?” Regan asked his nephew.
“Sure,” Dan replied with a grin. “Although it wouldn’t kill you to control the car for twelve miles.”
“I thought maybe we’d go a little further than that, today.” Regan buckled his seat belt, and waited for his nephew’s response.
“How far?” Dan asked.
“New Jersey?” Regan responded. “It’s Mother’s Day. I thought you might want to go out to the cemetery and visit your mother. Take her some flowers, even.”
“But...”
“I cleared it.” Regan shrugged, looking out the window. “We haven’t been there since February. If you’d rather not...?”
“No!” Dan swallowed hard, and concentrated on the road. “I want to, really. I just didn’t think...well...thanks.”
“You’re welcome. We can get some flowers on our way, and we should still be back by dinner,” Regan smiled. “Maypenny said he had a venison roast ready to put in the oven. I’d sure hate to miss that.”
“Me too.” Dan pulled out onto the highway, casting a quick look at his uncle. “Uncle Bill?” Regan met his gaze. “Seriously, thank you.”
Regan grinned. “Seriously, Danny, you’re welcome. Now just get us there and back in one piece. We’re missing church, so I’d rather not die today.”
“Yes, sir,” Dan laughed. “Hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.” He followed his own rules, and their journey continued.
Sunday, May 13, 1984
5:47 pm
“You think Maypenny’ll be upset? We’re running a little late, and I’d hate for him to decide not to feed us.”
“I doubt it,” Dan told his uncle, as he parked the sedan in the third bay of the Wheeler’s garage. “We usually eat between six and seven, this late in the season, and Mr. M. knew we might hit traffic. Besides, once he gets a whiff of that peach pie you’re carrying, I’m sure our tardiness will be forgiven.”
They started up the path to the cabin, Regan carrying the pie box. Dan walked slightly ahead of his uncle, checking the trail carefully as he moved. The days were staying light longer as spring dug in, but the heavily wooded areas were darker than the clearings. Something was off, out of place. Dan could feel it, but he couldn’t put a finger on exactly what it was.
As the two entered the clearing around the cabin, they spotted the police cruiser parked in front of the little house. Dan felt his stomach clench, as Regan asked, “Is there something you need to tell me?”
Dan shook his head, mutely staring. Without a backward look at his uncle, he sprinted for the door of the cabin, shouting, “Mr. Maypenny? Mr. M.?”
Bursting through the door, expecting the worst, Dan slid to a halt, narrowly avoiding Sergeant Wendell Molinson’s outstretched legs. The officer was sitting on the sofa, drinking coffee and chatting with Thomas Maypenny. Startled, both men looked up at the wild-eyed teen.
“Whatever is the matter, Daniel?” Maypenny asked.
“I saw...I thought...I...” Dan shook his head, his face reddening with embarrassment. “I’m an idiot.”
“You saw the cruiser and figured a crime had been committed?” Molinson asked genially. Dan nodded, and the officer continued. “Logical deduction, however, completely wrong.” He rose from the sofa, as Regan entered the house. “Regan,” he nodded. “I stopped by to talk to the three of you about a possible job for Dan, here, and Maypenny invited me to join you for dinner.”
“A job?” Dan asked, curiosity overcoming his embarrassment. “What kind of job?”
“A camp job.” Molinson sat down again, gesturing for Dan and Regan to do likewise. “I can’t stay for supper; I have second shift tonight, so I’ll try to be brief. An old friend of mine runs a camp for at-risk boys, out in the eastern part of Washington State, not too far from Idaho. He likes to staff it with counselors from all over the country; he says it adds diversity. I was chatting with Preston, that’s his name, Preston Davis, just last night, and he asked if I knew any young men who would make good counselors.” Molinson looked a Dan. “I immediately thought of you and Jim Frayne. The job lasts about six weeks, it would be a great experience for you, and it pays pretty well for a camp job. I brought the application packet, and Preston will be in New York over Memorial Day Weekend. I figure if you and Jim are interested, you get the apps in, and Pres can interview you while he’s in the city. What do you think?”
Dan looked back at the officer with a stunned expression. “I...I don’t know if I can. Washington is clear across the country...”
“I understand,” Molinson said, nodding. “I know that you have restrictions, but I think that if you approach the judge with a glowing recommendation from the local police,” he patted his chest, “I think you can get permission. What does it hurt to try?”
“Nothing, I guess,” Dan answered dubiously. “Are you sure you wouldn’t mind writing me a recommendation, sir?”
“I wouldn’t offer if I minded,” Molinson assured him, rising once again. “If you’re interested, get the application back to me tomorrow after school. I’ll fax it to Preston when I get in, and I’ll leave a letter with Marcie for you to give to the judge. The rest is up to you.” Molinson set his coffee cup on the table and reached for Maypenny’s hand. “Thank you for the coffee, Mr. Maypenny, and the dinner invitation. I should be going.”
Dan leapt to his feet, hand extended. “Thank you for thinking of me, sir,” he said. “I’ll be in tomorrow.” He watched as Molinson shook Regan’s hand and departed. Still slightly dazed, Dan followed his uncle and his guardian into the kitchen for dinner.
His wits returned over savory slices of venison, served up with roasted potatoes and root vegetables. As the plates emptied, Dan cleared his throat, breaking the silence.
“There is something else I need to discuss with you,” he told them. “I got a letter from Principal Stratton.”
“I thought school was going well?” Regan set down his fork. “Are you having trouble?”
“No,” Dan assured him. “It’s...um...the opposite, actually. I’m doing well enough that Principal Stratton is recommending me for this new program. Next fall, I can join this Jump Start program, and go to college at the same time as high school.”
“I don’t understand?” Regan said, confusion creasing his brow. “How can you do both at once?”
Dan took a deep breath and tried to explain. “I would go to Sleepyside High for two classes, and into White Plains, to the college for three or four others. The college classes count for both my high school and college credits. That way, when I graduate in two years, I’d have an Associate degree as well as my high school diploma.”
“Is this something you would like to do, Daniel?” Mr. Maypenny asked.
“I...I think so.” Dan licked his lips. “Yes. It would be a bit of a challenge, but getting a college degree would probably help me transfer into a four year college. I’d probably be home about the same time as I am now, especially if I only take three classes. White Plains isn’t too far, so I could either take the bus, or carpool with Mart. He was recommended, too. It shouldn’t effect my work here, and I know that there is cost involved, but maybe, if I get that camp job, or another summer job, I can put aside enough to meet expenses.” Dan stopped to breathe, his eyes watching the two men.
Regan was silent. Maypenny stroked his chin, and asked, “How much money are we talking about?”
“Well, the school district is picking up about eighty percent of the cost,” Dan explained, “but it is about one hundred fifty dollars per quarter. That’s just tuition. I’d still have to pay for books and transportation costs.”
“That could add up,” Regan said. “I understand that books are pricey.”
“I know.” Dan chewed on his lip. “I asked Ms. Shefland, and she told me that I can buy second hand books and save money.” He looked at the table, his fingers nervously tracing the wood grain. “I don’t need to turn in anything until Wednesday, so you have time to think about it. I just think that it is a really great opportunity, and I would like to do it.”
Regan looked at Maypenny, who nodded. “Daniel,” the older man said. Dan looked up. “It sounds like a fine thing for you. Bring us the papers and we’ll sign them.”
Dan’s grin was brilliant. “Really?” he asked. “You don’t want to think it over, or anything?”
“You presented it very well, and I can tell you’ve given it a lot of thought. Your education is important to both your uncle and me,” Maypenny told him. “I know I’m proud of you. You should definitely do this.”
“I’m proud, too,” Regan admitted. “I didn’t finish high school, I didn’t even get my GED until I was nearly twenty. Getting your college degree and your diploma by the time you’re eighteen; that is impressive.”
“But the cost...”
“Don’t worry about that,” Maypenny told him. “I have no doubt that the money situation will work out on its own. Now, how about you get those papers, and we can get to that pie the two of you brought back tonight?”
