Late summer — Year 6
As the last weeks of summer drew to a close, thoughts at Headwall turned to both the new school year ahead for those of the younger boys staying at Headwall and also to those who would shortly leave. Some would be going to Theden University, and Seb and Raven would also be heading to Theden, to take their places at the Hundeerde Space Defence and Communications Network Academy as cadets.
Patrick and George were in the living room poring over their elective choices for their last year at high school.
Patrick: I can’t decide on which elective to take next year! There are so many good choices! I know I want to do Design, but there is Materials and Design, and Art and Design. How’ya supposed to choose?
George: Yeah, Art and Design for me, you’re much better with sharp tools than I am, you should do Materials & Design with Samson, you’re always out in the workshop with him — pick that.
Patrick: Yeah, you’re right. You better stick with your crayons and paint brushes!
George threw a pillow at Patrick, which missed and hit Owen instead.
Owen: Oi! Watch it, Carrot Head!
Just as a full on pillow fight was about to erupt in the living room, Callum, hearing a vehicle approaching the house, went over to the window to look.
Callum: Hey, guys! There’s a Network SUV pulling up, General Huxley is here! Anyone know he was coming?
Raven: Nope. It’s news to me.
A number of the boys trooped outside to greet General Huxley, who was making one of his usual unscheduled visits. All the boys liked Huxley, as he had always taken a keen personal interest in each of them.
Owen: Good afternoon, Sir! It’s a great surprise to see you!
Huxley: Good to see you Owen. I see you’re still writing your blog. Your latest article on how the Hundeerde Presidentum could provide greater transparency of Network funding allocations, was…
He tilted his head to one side.
…insightful.
Owen: Yes, Sir!
Grandpa Jake: Marvin! They let you off the leash again!
By this time Grandpa Jake and Grandma Bella had also come out to greet their old friend.
Huxley: They did. As long as I agreed to a driver.
Huxley gave a wry smile and inclined his head towards the SUV.
Grandpa Jake: Well, you even managed to catch me out this time, you old rascal!
Huxley: Heh.
Always the best way. Keeps the troops on their toes!
Grandma Bella: Hello, Marvin. Are you able to stay for dinner?
Rebecca is doing roast chicken, there’s always room for one more.
Huxley: I can.
Anything home cooked sounds great.
Dessert?
Charlie: For you, Sir, I’ll do apple crumble!
Huxley’s eyes lit up in eager anticipation, and then looked directly at Harry.
Huxley: …and Harry’s vanilla custard and thick farm cream?
Harry: Yes, Sir!
But… not until you have eaten your vegetables!
Huxley’s ears flattened slightly and he folded his arms across his chest.
Huxley: Noted.
Dinner
Tonight for dinner was a table set for twenty-four, with corner stool deployment. Toby, Hans, and Timo, who were now practically family, had been at Headwall for a few days.
Fergus: Uncle Marvin, stool or bench?
Huxley: I’ll take the bench, but how about you sit next to me on the stool?
Fergus: Yay! I get the stool!
When everyone had assembled and was finally seated for dinner Jake took his glass and tapped it with his fork.
Grandpa Jake: Five years ago, we had our very first dinner together when all of you boys arrived to join our Headwall family. I asked all of you to name something that you were thankful for. Let’s do that again.
I am thankful for all of you, who have made our house a home.
Grandpa Jake then looked down at Angus, sitting to his left.
Grandpa Jake: Angus?
Angus thought for a moment, taking the question into serious consideration.
Angus: All my big brothers!
And so it went around the table.
Samson: Charlie’s cooking!
Rupert closed his eyes for a moment, but for him the answer was obvious.
Rupert: My sewing machine and fabulous fabric!
Seb: Rising air.
When it came to Hans, he turned slightly to Lewis sitting next to him and gave his answer warmly and sincerely.
Hans: A worthy rival.
Finally, it was time for Huxley to give his answer. He took his time and looked slowly and deliberately around the entire table.
Huxley: Young men.
Grandma: Let’s eat.
For a few minutes the sounds of plates and dishes being passed and loaded filled the dining room, changing to a general hum of dinner conversations.
Sometime between the first and second helpings of roast chicken and vegetables a voice of authority broke across the various conversations.
Huxley: Timotheus — Rattenfänger — Jäger!
All conversation immediately stopped and all eyes turned to Huxley, none more so than Timo’s who still had a fork of chicken poised halfway between his plate and his mouth. Stunned silence filled the room.
Timo: Er… um… y…yes, Sir?
Huxley: Stand up please.
Timo stood, his knees slightly shaky.
Huxley: Mr. Jäger.
Your place in the Network Academy has been accepted.
Congratulations.
The whole table then burst into loud cheering and clapping.
Huxley: Very well!
Mr. Hall! Mr. Keller! Mr. Price!
Please stand.
Toby, Hans, and Scott, then also stood, joining Timo.
Huxley: Congratulations, gentlemen.
I look forward to seeing you all at the academy.
That is all.
Then without adding anything further, Huxley returned to his second helping of chicken, gravy and potatoes.
The hum of excited chatter moved up a notch as the boys digested both their meal and the news.
Raven gave Toby a playful punch on the shoulder.
Raven: Hey, Toby! So, you’re gonna come and pull some Gs with me and Seb!
Toby: Yeah, nah, someone’s gotta keep an eye on you two, eh!
The only person that had remained quieter than usual during dinner was Lewis. While he was genuinely happy for his friends, he knew it would be another three years before he’d get his chance to join the Network.
Dinner continued on into dessert with Charlie’s promised apple crumble, Harry’s vanilla custard, and thick farm cream.
Huxley — two helpings.
Just as dinner was about to close, Huxley spoke to Lewis.
Huxley: Lewis. Would you show me Betelgeuse with your telescope please?
Lewis, just finishing the last of his dessert, looked up surprised but pleased.
Lewis: Yes, Sir, of course Sir, but I need to help with drying up the dishes first.
Grandpa Jake: Lewis, you are excused drying up duty tonight.
Lewis: Okay then! I’ll go get the telescope.
The Stone Bridge
Lewis set the telescope up on the stone bridge, his favourite viewing spot to view Orion. The constellation had just risen above the horizon and Lewis made the necessary adjustment with well practiced hands. Looking through the viewfinder he made a few more fine adjustments of the focus.
Lewis: Here you are, Sir, if you look through the viewfinder the telescope is focused directly on Betelgeuse.
Huxley took his time looking through the viewfinder, alternating with looking up at the constellation with his naked eye. Finally he stood and turned to Lewis.
Huxley: Your report on Betelgeuse two years ago was very well received, and it confirmed quite a few things that we knew about the star.
More importantly, it also flagged one or two things that we didn’t know.
This has been of significant value, in planning our passages via the Delta-6-Gamma-9.
Lewis: Thank you, Sir!
Huxley: Lewis. Would you consider joining the Network, now?
It would mean joining the academy with the others in two weeks. You would take the same stream as Scott, communications, data, and systems analysis.
I don’t want you to answer straight away.
Lewis went very still as he processed what Huxley had just said. Multiple thoughts streamed through his mind.
Lewis: The entry age for the academy is eighteen.
I am only fifteen.
I thought I would have another three years to wait, Sir.
Huxley: You are correct.
However, I have made a personal exception.
Lewis: Wow. Thank you, Sir.
It will certainly give me something to think about.
What about Grandma and Grandpa, do they know?
Huxley: Yes.
I have discussed this with them, and they agree—
but, the choice is still yours to make.
Don’t say anymore now, call me next week—
Usual Grandpa Jake time, 20:00 hours.
Lewis: I will, Sir, and thank you, Sir, I never expected this.
Lewis then carefully packed up the telescope, and together with Huxley, walked back to the house.
Once Lewis got back to the house, he wasn’t sure who he should talk to first. As it happened, Scott was the first person he came across.
Lewis: Scott! Huxley wants me to join the Network.
He wants me to take the same communications, data, and systems analysis stream as you!
Scott couldn’t help a small smile.
Scott: Good. Two of us, then.
I could use a friend at the academy who actually gets it.
What’d you say to Huxley?
Lewis: He wants me to think about it. Grandma and Grandpa know.
Scott: Good idea. There’s lots to think about.
Back at the house, Huxley found Jake and Bella on the verandah, waiting for him.
Grandpa Jake: You’ve spoken with Lewis?
Huxley: I have.
I’ve asked to think about it and call me in a week.
Bella: You could stay, you know, we have a bed for you.
Huxley: Tempting.
—but the Chasetail can only take so much of Lieutenant Commander MacKenzie at one time.
He glanced toward the SUV, where his driver was returning the plate Rebecca had sent out an hour ago.
Huxley: Rebecca.
Bella: Of course. Nobody sits outside our house on an empty stomach, Marvin.
Huxley couldn’t quite suppress a small smile.
Huxley: Goodnight, Bella.
He shook Jake’s paw, and gave Bella a small, formal nod, which she returned with a full warm hug he didn’t quite know what to do with. Then he turned, climbed into the SUV, and was gone, the taillights disappearing down the valley road.
Grandpa Jake snuffled quietly to himself.
Grandpa Jake: Goodnight, Marvin.
Over the next week Lewis did indeed think about the offer of joining the Network. At length. He ran through all the available data in his mind, processing everything: quietly and analytically, compiling a detailed mental report at the end. He talked to Grandpa Jake and Grandma Bella.
Lewis: Do you really think I am up to it?
Grandma Bella: Yes, Lewis you are.
But — it won’t be easy. You will be three years younger than all the others in the class.
Others will judge your age first and your ability second.
Lewis: I’m used to that.
Grandpa Jake: You are absolutely capable of this.
When others doubt you, present the data.
Data doesn’t lie.
Lewis spoke with Hans.
Hans: I told the others at the graduation BBQ.
“The Network could do with a brain like his.”
I don’t say things I don’t mean.
And he spoke with Seb and Raven, his room-mates at Headwall over the last five years.
Raven: Duh. Of course you’re coming. Who else is gonna figure out all the hard stuff for us?!
Seb: Grandma is right. It’s gonna be hard being three years younger than everyone else.
But, you’re not alone.
You have us; Rae, me, and Scotty. You’ll be okay.
The Den – 20:00, one week later
Lewis sat in the chair opposite Grandpa Jake in the den. Grandpa was scrolling through his contacts, stopping at the one he was looking for he tapped the green handset icon on the screen, confirmed it was ringing and then he passed the phone to Lewis.
Huxley: Huxley.
Lewis: Good evening, Sir, it’s Lewis here.
Huxley: Lewis. What is your answer?
Lewis: I accept your offer, Sir.
I would like to join the Academy.
Huxley: Excellent.
I’ll make it happen.
Lewis: Thank you, Sir.
Huxley: Very well. Good night.
And with that the call ended. Lewis looked at Grandpa Jake.
Lewis: He says he will make it happen.
Grandpa Jake: He certainly will.
The following week flew by with the younger boys getting ready for the new school year at Veldmeer High. Rupert made a full and thorough audit of all uniform trousers and blazers, declaring that Charlie’s in particular was now a full two inches too short in the legs and sleeves and would absolutely need to be replaced.
For the boys leaving: Seb, Raven, Lewis, and Scott to the academy, Callum and Owen to Theden to study media and political science, the last week passed quickly. There was packing to be done, and lists to check. Six boys who had arrived five years ago with nothing, were now leaving not only with full kit bags, but bags full of Headwall too, and a place at a table that would always be there waiting for them to return.
Departure Day
This morning Charlie had pulled out all the stops in the kitchen and had prepared everyone a full cooked breakfast of eggs, bacon, sausages, hash browns, tomatoes, mushrooms — Callum’s favourite, and pancakes — everyone’s favourite.
And then it was time. Time for the six boys to climb into the waiting Hundeerwagon, and depart on the next chapter of their lives.
The whole Headwall remaining household assembled to see Seb, Raven, Lewis, Scott, Callum and Owen off.
Rebecca hugged each one warmly and thoroughly, and then hugged them all over again.
On the second pass, she stopped a moment longer with Seb. The many conversations in the kitchen over the last five years. How can that be summed up in a single hug?
Rebecca: Sebastian James Jarvis!
Seb knew that tone. Something profound was coming. When it came it was just three words.
Rebecca: You are ready.
Seb simply nodded, and hugged her back.
Just before Seb was about to get into the Hundeerwagon a small, but not quite as small as it used to be paw, patted his arm.
Hamish: Seb, will you look out for Mama and Papa when you go out into space?
Fergus who was standing next to Hamish nodded in earnest agreement.
Fergus: If you ever go anywhere near Earth, that’s where you should look.
Seb looked both Hamish and Fergus firmly in the eyes.
Seb: I will. I promise.
There was no warning. There never was.
Angus hit Seb full speed, arms locked around his waist, the same torpedo charge that had taken down General Huxley more than once. Seb staggered back a step, but held firm.
Angus: Promise you’ll come back and visit!
And bring me something cool from space!
Seb laughed, and hugged him back with a squish.
Seb: I promise. Something cool. From space.
Angus let go, satisfied, and stepped back to stand with Hamish and Fergus, the three of them lined up together — part of the family Seb was leaving behind, at least for now.
Verandah – later that evening
Grandma Bella: We gave them all a home.
Grandpa Jake: Yes. Yes we did.
They have somewhere to leave because they have somewhere to come home to.
One thought on “Episode 54: Farewell”