레이블이 Auburn Football Gifts인 게시물을 표시합니다. 모든 게시물 표시
레이블이 Auburn Football Gifts인 게시물을 표시합니다. 모든 게시물 표시

2013년 11월 25일 월요일

About 'auburn university gifts'|Auburn University Update







About 'auburn university gifts'|Auburn University Update








               Wil               Travis               opened               the               front               door               of               his               house               and               stepped               out               into               the               small               yard.

Early               morning               sunlight               brightened               the               sky               with               a               rosy               hue               and               in               the               other               yards               he               could               see               his               neighbors               moving               about,               getting               ready               for               work,               school,               or               whatever               actions               and               duties               compelled               them               through               out               the               day.

He               ran               a               hand               through               his               shortly               cropped               dark               brown               hair.

Hearing               a               sudden               noise,               he               turned               his               gaze               to               his               right,               only               to               see               his               neighbor,               restraining               his               senses               so               that               he               did               no               more               than               hear               Ana               Handier               coming               outside               with               her               trash.
               "Good               morning,               Will!

How's               your               family               this               morning?"
               "Well!"               He               said.

"Excuse               me.

I               need               to               get               back               inside.

My               brothers               and               sisters               have               to               get               ready               for               school               and               I               need               to               prod               them               along               or               they'll               be               late."               He               waved               a               hand               at               the               elderly               woman               as               he               made               his               way               back               inside               the               house.

Ana               Handler               kept               too               close               an               eye               on               him               for               his               contentment.

Closing               the               door               behind               him,               he               started               down               the               short               hall,               stopping               at               the               doorways               of               the               bedrooms               and               knocking               to               wake               his               siblings.
               "Tellie!

Time               to               get               up!

Fera!

Jon.

School!"               Slowly               the               household               started               coming               to               life               and               Wil               made               his               way               back               to               the               kitchen,               where               he               dished               out               bowls               of               hot               cereal               from               the               pan               on               the               stove.

While               he               was               putting               the               cereal-filled               bowls               on               the               table,               his               sister               Tellie               came               into               the               room.

Quickly,               she               moved               past               him,               getting               jars               of               jam               from               the               cold-storage               unit               and               taking               them               to               the               table.
               "You               should               have               gotten               me               up               to               help,               Wil,"               she               scolded.
               "You               were               up               late               last               night               doing               that               report               for               school.

You               need               your               sleep."               Will               took               glasses               out               of               the               cabinet               and               put               them               on               the               table.

Tellie               followed               behind               with               a               pitcher               of               cold               milk               which               she               placed               in               the               middle               of               the               table.
               "It's               my               birthday               tomorrow!

I'll               be               fifteen.

Old               enough               to               help               you               out               more               around               here!"               She               had               turned               to               face               him,               her               long               braid               whipping               around               behind               her               as               she               did               so.
               "I               don't               want               you               leaving               school,               Tellie!"               He               spoke               softly               but               with               an               urgency               that               could               not               be               denied.
               "I               just               want               to               help.

Look               at               us,               Wil!"               Her               voice               was               a               low               whisper               as               they               could               now               both               hear               the               scampering               of               their               two               younger               siblings               as               they               rushed               down               the               hall.

She               glanced               mutely               at               the               dull               gray               color               of               their               clothing               and               the               state               of               their               worn               shoes               as               the               youngest               two,               Fera               and               Jon               came               dashing               into               the               room               and               dived               into               their               chairs.

Both               wore               the               same               nondescript               clothing               as               the               older               two.

Wil               shook               his               head,               sitting               down               at               the               table.
               "Let's               eat!"               he               said.

"We               have               to               be               out               the               door               in               time               to               get               you               all               to               school."
               "I               wish               we               could               take               the               glider,"               Jon               said               wistfully.
               "So               do               I,"               Wil               said,               "but               it               costs               too               much               to               keep               it               up."
               "Walking               is               good               for               us               anyway.

You're               doing               so               good               in               your               athletics               class               now,               Jon.

You're               faster               and               stronger               than               anyone               else               in               your               class               and               it's               all               because               you               walk               more               now               than               you               used               to."
               Jon               grinned.

"I               did               beat               Orvald               Bucher               yesterday               when               coach               called               the               races."               He               started               eating               with               more               gusto.
               "I               got               a               hundred               percent               on               my               math               paper               and               I               only               missed               one               in               my               writing               lesson,"               Fera,               the               youngest               of               them               offered.

"My               teacher               said               if               I               study               hard               I               could               get               a               scholarship               for               the               university               after               I               graduate."
               "That's               something               to               work               for               then,"               Wil               said.

"I'm               glad               to               hear               that."
               Jon,               done               with               his               cereal,               jumped               up               and               ran               to               the               sink               where               he               washed               his               bowl               out               and               put               it               in               the               draining               tub.
               "Don't               forget               your               milk,               Jon.

I               was               lucky               to               find               that               at               the               store               yesterday               and               we               can't               waste               it."
               Jon               rushed               back               over               to               the               table               and               picked               up               his               glass,               draining               it               in               what               seemed               like               one               long               gulp.

Still               seated,               Fera               finished               her               cereal               before               picking               up               her               glass               of               milk.

She               drank               it               quickly,               then               got               up               and               took               her               dishes               to               the               sink.

When               she               had               rinsed               them               she               came               back               to               the               table               and               but               stopped               before               sitting               down               when               Wil               got               up,               carrying               his               bowl.

Beside               him,               Tellie               gulped               down               her               last               spoonful               of               cereal               as               she               rose.

She               drank               her               milk               as               she               rushed               to               the               sink               and               Wil               called               out,               "All               right.

Wash               your               faces               and               hands               and               get               your               things               for               school!

We               all               meet               by               the               front               door               before               the               first               work               bell               sounds!"               It               was               the               same               thing               he               had               told               them               every               school               morning               since               the               accident               had               killed               their               parents.

Tellie               and               Jon               went               to               the               lavatory               at               the               end               of               the               short               hallway               while               Wil               and               Fera               washed               at               the               sink               in               the               kitchen.

Then               the               three               younger               Travis               children               grabbed               their               school               satchels               and               joined               Wil               at               the               door.

Wil               pushed               the               security               panel               on               the               door               with               his               right               index               finger               to               open               the               door.

When               they               were               all               outside,               he               did               the               same               with               a               similar               panel               to               secure               it               while               they               were               gone               for               the               day.

The               panel               could               be               activated               only               by               members               of               the               household               and               Wil               had               an               override               to               provide               extra               security               for               the               mostly               underage               family.
               They               started               down               the               sidewalk               that               led               to               the               pedestrian               path               that               ran               alongside               the               road,               Jon               and               Tellie               walked               side               by               side               and               Wil               and               Fera               fell               into               step               behind               them.

Fera               snaked               her               small               hand               into               Wil's.

This               was               unusual               for               his               youngest               sister               and               Wil               glanced               down               at               her               with               a               quizzical               look.
               "Is               Tellie               going               to               have               a               birthday               party?"               she               asked.
               Wil               gave               a               short               laugh.

"No.

Not               a               real               party,               but               we'll               all               remember               to               make               it               the               best               that               we               can               so               it               will               be               a               happy               day               for               her.

Maybe               you               could               make               her               a               card.

She               would               like               that,               I               think."
               "Yeah."               They               stopped               in               front               of               a               large               sandstone-colored               building.

On               the               road               behind               them,               gliders               pulled               to               a               stop               to               let               children               out               before               moving               on.

The               children               all               streamed               toward               the               sandstone               building.

A               large               sign,               the               same               color               as               the               school,               proclaimed               that               the               edifice               was               Central               Primary               School.

Wil               dropped               Fera's               hand.

"Run               on               in,               now!"               he               told               her,               tousling               her               light               brown               hair.

Jon,               who               had               been               walking               with               Tellie,               was               already               halfway               up               the               walkway               that               led               to               the               school.

Wil               stepped               forward               to               catch               up               with               Tellie,               who               was               already               moving               again,               at               the               same               time               avoiding               children               who               were               trying               to               get               to               their               classrooms               before               classes               started.
               "Its               always               such               a               rush               here!"               Tellie               said.

"I'm               glad               my               classes               start               later."
               "It               does               give               us               a               little               more               time               to               get               you               to               school.

At               least,               after               tomorrow,               I               won't               have               to               walk               all               three               of               you               to               your               schools               all               the               time."
               Tellie               did               not               respond               to               this               statement.

Instead,               she               said.

"Listen,               don't               go               out               of               your               way               for               my               birthday,               Wil.

I               know               it's               hard               on               you,               being               the               only               one               who               can               bring               in               money.

There's               nothing               I               need,               really."
               Wil               stopped,               grabbing               her               arm               at               the               same               time               to               turn               her               toward               him.
               "Don't               go               noble               on               me,               Tellie.

There's               a               lot               that               you               need,               not               the               least               being               new               clothes               and               new               shoes               and               a               proper               father               and               mother               to               take               care               of               you,               not               an               older               brother               who               has               to               work               day               by               day               to               bring               in               enough               to               keep               us               together!

But               thanks.

I'll               keep               your               birthday               simple.

I'd               like               it               to               be               nice,               though."
               "Nice               will               be               knowing               that               you               didn't               try               to               kill               yourself               to               get               extra               money               for               something               that               can               wait               awhile               longer."
               Wil               dropped               his               hand               and               they               started               moving               again.

Tellie               gave               him               a               sidewise               look.
               "Hey,               thanks               for               keeping               us               together               these               last               eight               months.

When               Mom               and               Dad               died               I               thought               we'd               be               taken               off               to               state               homes               for               sure."
               Wil               laughed               harshly.

"Just               lucky               for               us               that               I               had               already               turned               fifteen."               He               stopped               speaking               abruptly.

"I'm               sorry,               Tellie.

I               didn't               mean               it               the               way               it               sounded.

I               would               never               want               you               all               carted               off               to               a               state               home."
               "I               know               that.

It               changed               your               plans,               though,               didn't               it,               having               to               quit               school               and               go               to               work.

And               not               even               at               a               steady               job,               but               having               to               find               something               every               day...".

They               were               approaching               another               large               building               now.

Gliders               were               pulling               into               an               enclosed               parking               area               or               up               in               front               of               the               walkway               to               let               students               out.

Wil               and               Tellie               stopped               again               and               Wil               touched               his               sister               on               the               shoulder               to               get               her               attention.

She               looked               at               him,               her               gray-green               eyes               questioning.

"I'll               be               back               this               afternoon               before               you               get               out               of               classes."
               "I               may               be               out               a               little               early.

I'll               wait               in               the               front               offices               if               I               am."
               "I'll               check               there               first               then,"               Wil               told               her.

"Have               a               good               day!"
               Tellie               smiled               at               him.

"I               will.

I               hope               you               get               a               good               job               for               the               day."
               Will               nodded               abstractedly.

"Thanks,"               he               said,               before               Tellie               turned               and               walked               toward               the               large               building               that               made               up               the               school.

Wil               turned               and               walked               back               the               way               he               had               come,               stopping               along               the               way               at               various               buildings               looking               for               a               day's               work               but               not               finding               any.

Sighing,               he               made               his               past               his               house,               noting               Ana               Handier               slipping               through               her               front               doorway               and               nodding               at               a               Guard               who               passed               him               without               speaking               as               he               strode               the               past               him               down               the               street.

He               made               his               way               to               the               Central               Government               Complex.

On               days               like               this               one,               when               there               was               no               other               work,               he               could               almost               always               join               the               garbage               detail.

As               he               approached               the               set               of               buildings,               however,               he               saw               a               form               approaching               and               recognized               Shawn               Sanders,               a               man               in               his               mid-twenties               who               also               took               single               day               jobs.

He               walked               over               to               Wil.

"They               filled               all               the               slots               early               today.

I've               been               to               every               business               that               uses               singlers               and               there's               nothing.

Looks               like               we               get               a               day               off."
               Wil               turned               around               and               fell               into               step               with               the               other               man.

"Yeah."
               They               parted               at               the               next               cross               street,               which               was               residential,               and               Wil               continued               walking               toward               his               home.
               "Boy!

Hold               up               a               moment!

I               want               a               word               with               you."               Wil               stopped               and               turned               to               see               where               the               voice               was               coming               from.

He               was               the               only               person               out               who               could               be               thought               of,               even               minimally,               as               a               boy.

He               saw               the               source               of               the               voice               quickly               enough.

There               was               a               man               striding               toward               him               purposefully,               striding               across               the               busy               street.

Wil               folded               his               arms               across               his               chest               and               waited               as               the               man               came               toward               him,               taking               the               opportunity               to               size               the               man               up.

He               was               tall,               with               long               auburn               hair               that               hung               neatly               down               his               back.

His               skin               was               so               light               it               was               almost               pale.

A               quick               probe               with               his               mind               told               him               that               the               man               was               not               obscuring               anything.

As               he               stepped               onto               the               walkway,               Wil               said,               "That's               dangerous.

What               if               you'd               been               hit?

Or               the               Guards               had               seen               you?"
               The               man               shrugged.

His               eyes,               Wil               noticed,               were               gray.

"I               don't               worry               about               the               Guards.

Don't               let               people               scare               you               about               the               Guards,               boy!

Just               keep               your               confidence               up.

Not               your               arrogance!

Your               confidence!

There's               a               difference               you               know."               He               looked               Wil               up               and               down,               and               then               extended               his               hand.

"I'm               Ben               Atkins."
               Wil               clasped               the               extended               hand.

"Wil               Travis."
               "Well,               Wil               Travis,               if               you               are               interested               I               have               a               day's               work               for               you."
               Wil               hesitated.

It               was               risky,               accepting               the               offer               of               a               day's               work               from               someone               who               just               approached               people               on               the               street.
               "It's               nothing               illegal,               nothing,               ah.

.

.

unsettling.

I'm               new               in               town               and               I               need               help               moving               into               my               new               place.

I               might               need               help               later               too.

Other               days,               you               know.

I'll               double               the               normal               singlers               wage               if               you're               interested               and               I               won't               need               you               until               the               next               bell.

What               do               you               say?"
               "I               can               only               work               until               the               fifth               bell.

I               have               to               pick               my               sister               up               from               school."
               "Ah.

That's               one               less               question               I               need               to               ask               then.

Let               me               suggest               a               slight               modification,               then.

We               start               work               before               the               next               bell               and               your               day               will               end               in               time               for               you               to               pick               your               sister               up.

And               you               let               me               take               you               to               the               market.

I'll               add               a               good               meal               to               your               wages."
               Wil's               mouth               dropped               open.

"That's               too               much!"
               Ben               held               up               his               hand               for               silence.

"Really?

When               is               the               last               time               you've               been               able               to               do               more               than               grab               a               loaf               of               bread               or               a               bit               of               meat?

Take               a               minute               to               think               about               it,               Wil.

Food               for               your               family               and               double               your               normal               day's               wages.

What               say               you?"
               Wil               stared               at               Ben,               not               completely               believing               what               he               was               saying,               and               then               he               nodded.

"Yes.

Yes,               I'll               do               it."
               Ben               Atkins               smiled               at               him.

"Good!

I               thought               you               were               intelligent.

Now               let's               get               going.

If               we               stand               here               much               longer,               people               will               take               notice               of               us.

First,               the               market.

I               saw               one               not               far               from               here,               I               believe."
               "Yes.

It's               two               streets               down."
               "Show               the               way               then,               Wil               and               consider               that               your               workday               has               started."
               Wil               stared               at               him,               and               then               swallowed.

"Yes,               sir,"               he               said.
               After               purchasing               food               at               the               market,               Ben               insisted               that               it               be               taken               to               Wil's               house.

"That               way               you               won't               carry               it               around               all               day."
               Inside               the               house,               Wil               put               the               meat,               bread,               vegetables               and               juice               into               the               cold               storage               unit               while               Ben               waited               in               the               living               room.

When               they               left               the               house               he               asked,               "What               happened               to               your               parents,               Wil?"
               "They               were               in               a               glider               accident.

I'd               just               turned               fifteen               three               weeks               before               and               they               decided               to               go               out               and               leave               me               with               the               kids.

They               went               into               Barrington               for               dinner               and               to               see               a               show,               but               they               never               made               it               home.

One               of               the               city               workers               came               to               tell               us               that               they               were               dead.

We               all               had               to               go               down               to               the               morgue               so               that               I               could               identify               the               bodies."
               "All               of               you?

You've               already               mentioned               a               sister."
               "There               are               four               of               us.

Two               sisters               and               a               brother.

Tellie               turns               fifteen               tomorrow.

Jon               is               eleven               and
               Fera               is               seven."
               Ben               did               not               respond               immediately.

When               he               did               speak               he               said.

"We               should               go.

There               is               quite               a               lot               that               needs               to               be               done               today."               They               left               the               house               and               walked               down               the               walkway               toward               the               street               under               the               watchful               eye               of               Ana               Handler,               who               was               outside               tending               to               her               garden.

Once               they               were               on               the               pedestrian               walkway,               Ben               commented.

"You               have               taken               on               a               weighty               task               for               one               your               age.

Will               your               sister,               Tellie,               you               said               her               name               is,               help               you               after               her               birthday?"
               "She               wants               to.

I               want               her               to               stay               in               school."
               "Ah."               He               stopped               suddenly               and               turned               to               Wil.

"Let               me               give               you               a               bit               of               advice.

You'll               get               further               in               life               if               you               don't               try               to               lift               all               your               burdens               alone.

Take               help               when               it's               offered               from               a               trustworthy               source."               He               turned               away               and               started               moving               again.

Wil               hurried               to               catch               up               to               him,               his               mind               lost               in               thought.
               "Tell               me               about               this               town,               Wil               Travis.

It's               the               tiniest               township               I've               ever               seen,               even               smaller               than               mine,               which               is               saying               something."
               Wil               laughed               shortly.

"Well,               that's               about               what               it               is,               the               smallest               town               on               this               planet.

We               do               have               the               Worldcomm               Network               but               nothing               more.

Oh,               a               pub,               and               a               card               hall               as               well,               but               that's               about               it."
               "Ah.

Isn't               there               a               recreation               hall               for               the               kids               or               something?"
               "No.

The               mayor               won't               let               one               be               built.

He               says               it's               not               economically               viable."
               "I               see.

And               so               kids               are               left               to               find               their               own               entertainment.

There's               nothing               wrong               with               entertaining               yourself.

It               builds               your               imagination,               but               if               there               was               supervised               recreation               for               kids               after               school               it               would               solve               a               problem               for               you,               would               it               not?"
               "Yes."
               "Turn               here.

This               is               where               I'm               staying."               They               turned               into               the               yard               of               a               small               house.

The               yard               was               well-kept               with               a               small               garden               in               the               front               and               a               nicely               pruned               tree               shading               the               grass.

Ben               unlocked               the               door               using               the               touchpad               and               they               went               inside.

Wil               groaned               a               little               as               he               saw               the               amount               of               unpacking               that               needed               to               be               done,               but               Ben               only               glanced               at               him               before               saying.

"We               aren't               starting               in               here.

Come               with               me.

The               first               thing               I               need               to               do               is               to               set               up               my               office.

My               superiors               are               expecting               to               hear               from               me               by               this               evening."
               Shrugging,               Wil               followed               him               through               the               house               to               the               room               that               would               serve               as               an               office.

There               were               several               boxes               stacked               on               either               side               of               the               doorway               and               once               again               Wil               groaned               inwardly               as               he               looked               at               the               amount               of               work               before               him,               but               Ben               simply               said.

"Well,               let's               get               started,               Wil.

You               want               to               earn               this               day's               wages,               if               I               judge               you               right."
               "Yes,               sir!"               Wil               said,               and               Ben               smiled               at               him               enigmatically               before               gesturing               to               one               of               the               boxes               that               stood               near               the               door               and               they               began               working               on               the               task               of               making               the               room               ready               for               use.
               The               sun               was               high               in               the               sky               when               Wil               arrived               at               the               school               to               pick               Tellie               up.

He               turned               onto               the               school               walkway               and               went               down               the               empty               path,               recalling               all               the               days               before               his               parents               died               that               he               had               trod               this               path               while               he               attended               classes               along               with               Tellie.

The               walkway               had               always               been               crowded,               then,               with               students               hurrying               to               or               from               the               building.

It               was               empty               now,               save               for               a               small               lizard               that               had               been               sunning               itself               until               he               got               too               close               and               it               scuttled               off               into               the               hedges               that               lined               the               path.

Wil               hurried               toward               the               school               offices,               using               the               pace               that               he               had               become               accustomed               to               since               his               parents'               death.

When               he               reached               the               wide               doors               that               served               as               the               entryway               to               the               administration               buildings,               they               swung               back               for               him               as               he               approached.

A               guard               eyed               him               warily               as               he               started               down               the               corridor,               but,               recognizing               him               let               him               pass.

The               third               office               down               housed               the               administrative               office               and               Wil               went               inside               and               stepped               out               of               the               path               of               the               door.

Tellie               was               sitting               in               one               of               the               chairs               in               the               waiting               area.
               "Great!"               she               said.

"I'm               glad               you're               early.

Miss               Nira               has               some               papers               for               you               to               sign."
               Wil               sighed.

He               had               been               expecting               this,               even               been               a               little               afraid               of               it,               but               Ben               had               helped               him               to               see               that               he               could               not               overrule               his               sister               on               this.

He               nodded.

Some               of               the               other               students               who               were               seated               in               the               waiting               area               looked               up               from               their               work               to               look               at               him               curiously.
               "Just               because               a               former               classmate               of               yours               has               come               to               pick               up               his               sister               is               no               reason               for               you               all               to               goggle               at               him!

You               are               in               school               to               learn,               not               to               waste               your               limited               time               staring               at               someone!"               the               woman               behind               the               counter               snapped               at               the               small               grouping               of               students.

Wil               nodded               at               Tellie               and               walked               over               to               the               counter               that               separated               the               lobby               from               the               administrative               area.

Miss               Nira               rose               from               her               desk               chair               and               walked               over               to               the               counter               holding               a               data               pad.
               "Here               is               the               paperwork               you               need               to               sign               for               your               sister.

I'm               sorry               to               see               her               leave               us,               but               I               do               understand               the               reasons               for               it.

And               at               least               this               way               you               will               both               be               able               to               continue               your               education."               She               handed               the               data               pad               over               to               Wil.

"Here,               as               you               see,               this               withdraws               Tellie               from               school               as               of               tomorrow               and               enters               both               her               and               you               into               the               remote               learning               resource               program.

A               technician               will               come               by               your               house               tomorrow               with               the               equipment,               so               one               of               you               needs               to               be               there.

It               would               be               best               if               you               both               were,               but               having               one               at               home               will               be               fine."
               "Ah.

Yes.

One               of               us               will               be               home.

Thanks,               Miss               Nira."               Wil               quickly               scanned               the               document               and               then               signed               it.

He               was               about               to               hand               the               data               pad               back               to               the               receptionist               when               she               said,               "Just               one               more               place,               Wil.

To               sign               for               the               lease               of               the               equipment.

Click               two               times               on               the               top               right               hand               corner               to               bring               that               page               up."               Wil               did               as               he               had               been               told,               once               again               scanning               the               document               before               signing               his               name               at               the               bottom.
               "And               that's               it!

It               was               good               seeing               you,               Wil.

I               hope               this               works               out               for               you."
               "Yeah.

Thanks,               Miss               Nira,"               Will               returned,               handing               her               the               data               pad.

He               turned               to               Tellie.

"Come               on!

We               need               to               be               picking               Jon               and               Fera               up,"               he               told               her.
               "You               aren't               mad               at               me,               are               you,               Wil?"               Tellie               asked               as               they               strode               down               the               street.

"It's               my               business               if               I               leave               school!"
               "I               know!

No,               I'm               not               mad               at               you,               Tellie.

I               should               have               thought               of               the               remote               system               myself,               is               all."
               Tellie               laughed.

"Well,               don't               be               mad               at               yourself.

You               had               to               handle               everything               alone,               after               all.

Here's               the               primary               school.

We're               early               today."               They               went               to               stand               underneath               the               spreading               branches               of               a               tree.
               "So,               did               you               make               yourself               into               a               billionaire               today,               my               brother,               or               just               enough               to               buy               something               for               dinner?"
               "Oh,               I               bought               dinner               first!

Let               me               tell               you,               sister,               the               man               I               worked               for               today               paid               me               double               the               singler               rate               and               insisted               on               buying               food               for               us               tonight,               before               I               even               started               with               him!"
               Tellie's               eyes               narrowed               in               suspicion               at               this.

"That's               odd,"               she               said,               her               voice               dropping               in               volume               to               what               her               brother               knew               to               be               the               tone               she               used               when               she               was               concentrating               on               a               problem.
               "And               he               said               that               if               I               worked               well               today               he               might               hire               me               again."
               Tellie's               eyes               widened               in               surprise.

"Truly?

Oh,               Wil.

That               would               be               marvelous!"
               Wil               laughed.

"Well,               it               wasn't               a               promise,               Tel."
               "But               still!

We               can               hope."
               Wil               nodded.

"We               certainly               can,"               he               said,               as               the               bell               rang               to               signal               the               end               of               the               school               day               and               the               children               came               rushing               out               of               the               classrooms.
               The               evening               passed               in               its               usual               manner.

Wil               and               Tellie               cooked               supper               together               while               the               younger               children               did               their               homework.

When               Jon               had               a               question               with               a               particularly               difficult               math               problem,               Wil               helped               him               work               through               the               steps               to               complete               it               while               Tellie               helped               Fera               review               material               for               her               sociology               quiz               the               next               morning.

After               supper,               Wil               pulled               out               one               of               the               games               they               had               all               played               together               as               a               family               before               their               parents               had               died               and               they               played               for               an               hour               before               he               sent               Fera               to               shower               and               change               for               bed.
               When               she               had               disappeared               down               the               short               hallway,               Jon               turned               to               the               older               two               and               said,               "So               is               Tellie               quitting               school,               too?

I've               been               wondering               for               awhile               now."
               "No.

I'm               not.

And               Wil's               going               back.

We               signed               up               to               take               classes               from               here.

They're               bringing               us               the               computer               system               tomorrow,"               Tellie               told               her               younger               brother.

"That               way               we               can               both               work               and               we               can               finish               our               schooling."
               "It               should               make               things               easier,"               Wil               told               his               brother.
               Jon               nodded.

"If               you               want,               I'll               clean               up               the               game."               He               started               gathering               game               pieces               and               piling               them               into               the               box               they               kept               the               game               in,               still               talking.

"I               wish               I               was               older,               then               I               could               help               too,"               he               said.
               "You               just               keep               out               of               trouble               the               best               you               can               and               that's               plenty               of               help,"               Wil               told               him.

"That               time               you               got               into               a               fight               at               school               I               thought               we               were               headed               for               the               government               school               for               sure,"               Wil               told               him.
               Jon               flushed               a               deep               dark               red.

"Yeah.

So               did               I.

It's               hard               sometimes,               though.

Kids               are               always               on               me               about               something.

I'm               learning               though."
               Wil               reached               over               and               clapped               him               reassuringly               on               the               shoulder.

"You're               doing               good,"               he               said.

Jon               stood               up,               game               box               in               hand.

"I               think               Fera's               out               of               the               shower,"               he               said,               "so               I'll               go               next."               He               headed               off               down               the               hall,               pausing               to               put               the               game               in               its               shelf               before               he               disappeared               into               the               rear               of               the               house.
               Tellie               watched               him               go               down               the               hall               before               turning               to               Wil.
               "He               really               is               trying,"               she               said
               "Trying               what?"               Moving               silently,               Fera               had               come               back               into               the               front               room,               now               dressed               for               bed.

She               plopped               onto               the               floor               between               Will               and               Tellie.
               Wil               sighed.

"To               stay               out               of               trouble,"               he               answered,               wearily.
               "Oh.

The               other               kids               tease               him               lots,               you               know.

They               tease               me,               too,               but               I               don't               let               them               get               to               me."
               "Just               as               long               as               he               doesn't               deck               anyone               we'll               do               okay,"               Wil               told               his               youngest               sister.
               "You               either,               Fera!"               Tellie               admonished.
               Fera               shuddered.

"I               won't!

I               don't               want               to               go               live               at               a               government               school!"
               Wil               reached               out               and               grabbed               her               in               a               bear               hug.

"That               won't               happen.

Not               now.

We'll               just               all               keep               our               heads               on               straight               and               we'll               be               fine."               He               dropped               his               arms               from               around               her.

"Now               go               give               your               sister               a               hug               and               go               to               bed."
               Fera               nodded.

"Okay."               She               dashed               around               the               table               to               hug               Tellie,               and               then               rushed               back               to               Wil               to               give               him               another               hug.

"That's               for               Jon,               since               he's               in               the               shower,"               she               told               him.
               Tellie               stood               up.

"I'll               tuck               you               in,               Fera,"               she               said               and               the               two               went               down               the               hallway               together.
               Wil               settled               moodily               into               a               soft               armchair,               his               mind               rethinking               the               events               of               the               day,               his               stomach               full               of               one               of               the               best               meals               he               had               eaten               in               many               months.

He               thought               about               Ben,               wondering               what               had               really               brought               him               to               this               town.

No               one               came               to               Firston               by               accident,               although               some               did               come               believing               that               they               were               going               to               find               a               better               life               living               away               from               the               large,               overcrowded               cities.

Some               came               looking               for               work,               which               was               difficult               to               find               due               to               the               lack               of               factories               or               shipping               in               the               area.

But,               somehow,               Wil               did               not               think               Ben               had               come               with               either               of               those               goals               in               mind.

No               use               trying               to               figure               it               out,               he               told               himself,               as               Tellie               came               back               into               the               room,               her               long               hair               unbound.
               "She'll               be               asleep               before               the               hour               turns,"               she               told               Wil               as               she               moved               to               the               second               armchair,               the               one               their               mother               had               always               used.

Once               seated               she               turned               to               face               him.

"So               how               do               we               plan               tomorrow?

One               of               us               needs               to               be               here               all               day               so               they               can               set               up               the               computer               for               us."
               Wil               sighed.

"I               think               you               should               stay,               it               being               your               birthday.

I'll               find               work               on               the               street               detail               or               something."
               Tellie               frowned.

"But               you've               been               working               too               hard               every               day!

You               need               a               break,               Wil."
               Wil's               eyes               snapped               with               brown               fire.

"I'm               still               not               happy               with               you               quitting               regular               classes.

It's               not               fair               to               you,"               he               reminded               her.
               "It's               fair               to               you,               though.

I               hate               to               see               you               getting               old               when               you               aren't               even               seventeen               yet.

It               will               make               things               better."
               Wil               nodded.

"I               won't               argue               with               you               there.

And               it's               your               decision               to               make,               not               mine.

I'll               go               out               tomorrow,               you               go               out               the               next               day               and               we'll               both               take               the               computer               classes."
               Tellie               nodded.

"All               right."               She               stood               up.

"Seeing               as               I've               got               one               last               night               of               childhood               left,               I'm               going               to               bed.

I'll               see               you               tomorrow               when               I'm               no               longer               bound               to               the               laws               of               the               under               fifteens!"               She               grinned               and               waved               at               him               before               rushing               down               the               hall.
               The               next               morning               dawned               bright               and               clear.

Wil               woke               up               at               his               usual               time,               got               dressed               quickly               and               went               down               the               hall               toward               the               kitchen.

As               he               passed               the               room               the               girls               slept               in,               the               door               opened               and               Tellie               stepped               through.
               "I               thought               I'd               help               with               breakfast               this               morning.

After               all,               I               won't               be               at               school               anymore,               so               I               need               to               start               helping               more               around               here."
               Wil               started               to               respond,               but               was               cut               off               as               the               buzzer               for               the               front               door               rang.
               "I'll               get               that,"               he               said               as               they               reached               the               end               of               the               hallway.
               "I'll               get               the               food               out!"               Tellie               said               bustling               toward               the               kitchen.

Wil               went               toward               the               door,               shaking               his               head               as               he               did               so.

The               buzzer               sounded               again               and               he               called               out;               "On               my               way!"               Reaching               the               door,               he               pushed               the               controls               that               unlocked               it               and               waited               for               it               to               open.

Ana               Handier               stood               on               the               step,               a               large               package               wrapped               in               bright               purple               paper               in               her               hands.
               "Good               morning,               Wil!

Is               your               sister               Tellie               up               yet?

I               wanted               to               give               her               something               for               her               birthday.

Fifteen's               a               big               year,               after               all."
               "Yes.

I'll               get               her.

Come               in,               please."               Wil               stepped               away               from               the               door               to               let               her               through.

"Tellie!"
               He               called,               "Ana's               here               with               a               present               for               you."
               Tellie               appeared               in               the               kitchen               doorway.

"Hello,"               she               told               their               neighbor.

"I               didn't               expect               anything               from               you.

Thanks!"               She               stepped               into               the               living               room               to               accept               the               gift               while               Wil               moved               into               the               kitchen               to               finish               making               the               morning               meal.
               While               Tellie               was               opening               her               present,               Jon               and               Fera               trooped               into               the               kitchen,               both               of               them               surprised               at               the               presence               of               their               neighbor               in               the               house               but               neither               of               them               asking               about               it.
               "Well,               show               it               to               your               family,               girl!

I'm               sure               they're               all               bursting               with               curiosity               about               it!"               the               older               woman               told               her.

Tellie               brought               the               gift,               a               new,               brightly               embroidered               formal               robe               of               a               deep               scarlet               into               the               kitchen               so               that               they               could               all               see               it.
               "It's               beautiful!"               Fera               exclaimed.

"Can               she               keep               it,               Wil?"
               Wil               flushed.

"Of               course               she               can               keep               it.

It's               her               present               for               her               birthday.

And               she's               fifteen               today."
               Tellie               turned               to               Ana.

"Thank               you,"               she               said.

"You               shouldn't               have               gone               to               so               much               trouble               for               me,               though."
               "Oh,               it               was               no               trouble.

I               didn't               think               your               brother               would               be               able               to               do               that               much               for               you.

Anytime               you               need               help,               Wil,"               she               said,               turning               to               him,               "I'm               more               than               willing."
               "Oh,               we're               doing               all               right,"               Tellie               told               her.

"And               it               will               be               better               now               that               I               can               work."
               Ana's               bright               gray               eyes               sparked               with               light.

"Oh,               so               that's               your               plan,               is               it?

You'd               be               better               off               in               school,               girl,               not               that               it's               my               place               to               say."
               "Wil,               I'm               hungry!"               Fera               said,               turning               to               her               oldest               brother."
               "Oh!

I'm               holding               up               breakfast!"               Ana               exclaimed.

"I'm               so               sorry.

My               own               children               have               been               gone               so               long               that               I've               forgotten               all               about               the               school               times."
               "I'll               walk               you               out,"               Wil               said.

"You               all               start               eating.

I'll               join               you               in               a               moment."               With               that,               he               ushered               their               neighbor               out               through               the               front               door,               thanking               her               again               for               Tellie's               gift.

When               he               came               back               into               the               room,               it               was               to               find               it               silent               except               for               the               sound               of               silverware               against               bowls.

As               he               sat               down,               Fera               stood               up               and               carried               her               things               over               to               the               counter.

As               she               crossed               the               room,               her               eyes               fell               on               the               box               containing               the               robe,               part               of               which               was               hanging               over               the               edge               of               the               box               it               was               packed               in.

"It               is               really               pretty,"               she               said.
               Wil               nodded.

"Yes.

It               is.

Go               get               ready               for               school,               Fera."
               Fera               nodded               and               left               the               room.

Still               seated               at               the               table,               Jon               looked               at               his               older               sister.
               "Happy               birthday,               Sis,"               he               said.
               Tellie               smiled               back               at               him.

Of               the               three,               he               was               the               only               one               who               called               her               Sis.

"Thanks,"               she               said.

Jon               swallowed               his               last               bite               of               food               and               stood               up.

"I               think               we're               running               a               little               late               today.

I'd               better               hurry,"               he               said               as               he               cleared               his               place.

Wil               and               Tellie               exchanged               a               look               as               he               deposited               his               things               on               the               counter               beside               Fera's               and               left               the               room.
               "I'll               take               them               in,"               Wil               said,               "then               go               out               to               find               work."
               Tellie               nodded.

"All               right.

I'll               clean               up               here,               then."
               Fera               appeared               in               the               doorway.

"Aren't               we               going?

We'll               be               late               for               our               first               classes!"               she               called               out.
               "Yeah.

I'm               ready,"               Wil               told               her.

"Tellie,               you               don't               mind               getting               my               stuff,               just               today,               do               you?"
               "No."               Tellie               shook               her               head.

"I'll               see               you               this               afternoon."
               Fera               looked               from               Tellie               to               Will.

"Aren't               you               coming,               Tellie?

To               school?"
               Tellie               shook               her               head.

"No.

I               decided               that               we'll               do               better               if               I               help               out               here.

It's               good,               Fera.

Both               me               and               Wil               can               finish               school               now.

We'll               just               not               be               in               regular               classes."
               Fera's               brow               furrowed               in               concentration.

"Oh."               Then               her               face               brightened.

"I               heard               about               that               program.

You               get               special               computers               and               study               from               home.

Some               of               the               towns               in               the               outlands               have               them               because               there               aren't               enough               people               to               have               a               school               but               they               have               to               teach               their               kids.

It's               supposed               to               be               a               really               good               program."               Wil               shot               her               a               glance.
               "Let's               go,               Fera.

Jon's               waiting               on               us."
               "With               nearly               unbridled               anticipation!"               Jon's               voice               called               from               where               he               was               standing               by               the               front               door.

Wil               felt               a               rare               smile               break               onto               his               face               as               he               and               Fera               walked               to               the               front               door               and               stepped               out               of               the               house               to               start               their               day.
               Wil               found               a               day's               work               at               the               market,               sorting               and               shelving               the               inventory               that               had               come               in               that               morning.

When               the               lunch               bell               rang,               the               market               owner,               Mikel               Carl,               came               up               to               him.
               "Take               a               break,               lad.

Heard               it's               your               sister's               fifteenth               today."
               Wil               turned               to               face               the               plump               middle-aged               man.

"Yes,               sir."
               Come               to               me               after               work               and               I'll               have               something               for               her.

She               left               school?"
               "Yes,               sir.

I               didn't               like               it,               but               it's               her               decision."
               "Send               her               around               and               I'll               see               what               I               can               do               for               her.

Customers               like               to               see               pretty               faces               behind               the               counter."
               "I'll               let               her               know,"               Wil               told               the               man.
               "Go               get               something               to               eat.

It's               part               of               your               pay               since               your               staying               longer               today."
               "Yes,               sir.

Thanks,"               Wil               said               and               turned               to               walk               to               the               lunchroom,               stopping               on               the               way               to               pick               up               a               meat               roll               and               a               bottle               of               juice               for               his               lunch.

He               did               not               like               the               way               the               store               owner               looked               at               Tellie               whenever               they               came               into               the               store,               but               he               would               pass               the               message               on               anyway.

He               sat               down               at               one               of               the               long               tables,               which               were               filling               as               people               took               their               lunch               breaks.

Before               long,               he               was               joined               by               another               singler,               Sal               Benson.
               "Lucky               today,               weren't               we?

I'd               rather               be               inside               than               out,"               she               said,               as               she               unwrapped               her               meat               roll.
               "Yeah.

How're               you               keeping,               Sal?"
               "Paying               the               rent.

Wish               I               could               get               back               into               school,               though.

I'd               like               to               do               something               besides               just               scrap               on               by."
               "Yeah.

My               sister's               fifteenth               is               today."
               Sal's               eyes               lit               up.

"Yeah?

Good               luck               to               her.

She               is               staying               in               school,               right?"
               Wil               shook               his               head.

"No.

She               signed               up               for               that               computer               thing,               though.

Signed               me               up               too.

Any               possibility               you               could               do               that?"
               Sal               shook               her               head.

"The               one               where               the               government               brings               you               a               special               computer               and               you               take               classes               from               home?

No.

My               place               isn't               secure               enough.

I've               been               robbed               twice               this               quarter               and               I               don't               even               have               anything               worth               taking.

They               grabbed               my               best               pot               last               time."
               Will               stared               at               her.

"Wow.

That's               awful.

I               guess               I               was               lucky               that               my               parents               place               was               paid               for               when               they               died.

We               just               have               to               worry               about               the               bills."
               Sal               nodded.

"That               was               providential."
               Wil               had               finished               his               meal               and               so               he               stood               up.

"Listen.

We're               having               a               special               meal               for               my               sister               tonight.

Why               don't               you               come               by?

There's               sure               to               be               enough               for               you."
               Sal's               face               brightened.

"I'd               like               that!

Thanks,               Wil."
               Wil               nodded.

"Just               after               the               evening               bell,               all               right?

You               remember               where               I               live?"
               Sal               nodded.

"Yeah.

I'll               be               there."
               Wil               waved               at               her               as               he               walked               through               the               break               room               and               back               into               the               market.
               That               evening,               after               the               bell               rang,               the               Travis               family               had               just               gathered               around               the               table               when               the               door               chime               sounded.
               "I'll               get               it!"               Fera               said,               darting               across               the               room.

Wil               heard               her               voice               piping               through               the               house."               Wil,               this               man               says               he               knows               you!"               Wil               rose               and               went               into               the               living               room               to               see               Ben               Atkins               standing               framed               in               the               doorway.

"Yeah.

I               know               him,               Fera."               Glancing               past               him,               he               saw               Sal               Benson               coming               down               the               street               toward               the               house,               a               wrapped               box               in               her               hands.

He               turned               to               Fera.

"Sal               Benson's               coming               for               dinner.

Why               don't               you               go               meet               her               while               I               introduce               Ben               to               the               family?"
               Fera               nodded               and               scampered               off               happily               to               greet               Sal,               slipping               past               Ben               as               he               entered               the               small               house.

Wil               led               him               into               the               kitchen               and               introduced               him               to               the               rest               of               the               family               ending               with               Fera               and               Sal               Benson               when               they               joined               them               at               the               table.
               They               sat               down               to               a               simple               birthday               dinner               that               Tellie               had               prepared               herself,               using               some               of               the               groceries               that               Ben               had               bought               the               day               before               and               after               they               ate               they               watched               as               Tellie               opened               her               gifts.

From               Fera,               there               was               a               small               book               that               Tellie               had               seen               in               a               store               one               afternoon               and               mentioned               that               she               liked.

Fera               had               earned               some               money               helping               clean               her               classroom               during               the               lunch               break               at               school               and               had               saved               the               money               for               a               present               for               Tellie.

From               Sal,               there               was               an               embroidered               scarf               that               would               keep               her               hair               from               being               blown               about               in               the               winds               that               came               with               the               winter               storms               that               plagued               the               planet.
               "Did               it               myself!"               she               told               Tellie               proudly.

"It               was               the               one               thing               my               mother               passed               on               to               me.

Needlework               skills.

She               said               when               the               hard               times               come               knowing               how               to               handle               a               needle               can               keep               you               in               clothes               like               nothing               other               than               cooking.

Seems               she               was               right,               too."
               "It's               beautiful!

Thank               you,"               Tellie               told               her.
               At               that               point,               Ben               cleared               his               throat.

"I               don't               have               enough               knowledge               of               young               girls               to               feel               comfortable               buying               presents               for               a               fifteenth               birthday.

It               seems               too               late               for               dolls               and               too               early               for               jewelry."               He               shifted               in               his               chair.

"However,               I               do               have               something               I               can               offer,               and               it               is               not               only               for               young               Tellie,               but               includes               the               rest               of               you."               He               turned               to               Sal.

"You               as               well,               if               you               are               willing."               Sal               nodded               her               understanding.
               "My               company               has               sent               me               to               this               town               to               scout               for               new               people.

When               I               find               young               people               with               potential,               I               send               back               word               to               my               supervisor               and               see               if               we               can               find               a               spot               in               our               training               schools."
               "Training               schools?"               Wil               burst               out.
               Ben               raised               a               hand.

"Just               a               moment,               while               I               explain,               Wil.

When               I               approached               you               it               was               after               watching               you               carefully               for               several               days.

And               not               just               you               but               your               entire               family.

I've               taken               note               of               you               as               well,               Sal.

My               company               specializes               in               taking               people               in               your               situation               who               show               potential               and               training               them               at               our               cost.

We               teach               not               only               academics,               but               vocational               and               creative               skills               as               well."
               "Loscal               Academies.

You're               from               Loscal               Academies!"               Jon               exclaimed.
               Ben               turned               his               eyes               on               him               and               nodded.

"For               six               years               now.

I               joined               them               just               before               the               last               election."
               "And               you               weren't               removed               during               the               transition               period?"               Sal               asked.
               Ben               smiled               at               her.

"Why               should               I               have               been?

Loscal               is               a               private               endeavor.

The               harder               the               government               tries               to               shake               us               up               the               stronger               we               get.

Don't               answer               me               now.

Talk               about               this               among               yourselves               and               I               will               come               back               tomorrow               night."               He               turned               to               Sal               once               more.

"You               will               come               back               as               well?

I               would               like               to               hear               your               decision               as               well."
               "Of               course.

Wil,               is               that               all               right               with               you?"
               "Yeah.

Yes,               of               course!

Stay               and               talk               this               out               with               us               tonight               if               you               like."
               Sal               looked               around               the               table,               taking               in               the               faces               gazing               back               at               her.

Suddenly               she               grinned.

"I               think               I               will!"               she               told               them.

Ben               nodded               solemnly.
               "I'll               leave               you               all               to               your               deliberations,"               he               told               them.

He               turned               and               walked               toward               the               door,               then               turned               back               suddenly.

"Wil,"               he               said.

"If               I               were               you               I'd               be               careful               of               your               neighbor.

She's               a               bit               too               watchful               of               you               for               my               comfort."
               Wil               nodded,               already               standing               to               see               their               guest               to               the               door.

"We               are.

But               I'll               be               even               more               careful               now.

Thank               you               for               everything."
               Ben               nodded               again.

At               the               door               he               turned               to               shake               Wil's               hand.

"Until               tomorrow               night,"               he               said.
               It               was               Wil's               turn               to               nod               in               acknowledgement.

"We'll               have               our               answer               then,               but               I               won't               speak               for               Sal,"               he               raised               his               voice               at               the               end               so               that               Sal               could               hear               him.
               "I'll               know               my               answer               tomorrow               evening,"               Sal               said.

Ben               nodded               once               more               before               stepping               out               the               door               and               Wil               returned               to               the               family               table,               where               the               deliberations               over               Ben's               offer               took               up               the               next               two               hours.

At               the               end               of               the               evening,               Jon               and               Fera               were               sent               off               to               bed               and               Tellie               went               into               her               room               to               put               her               presents               away,               leaving               Wil               alone               with               Sal.
               "I               should               be               going,"               the               young               woman               said.

"Thanks               for               asking               me               over.

I               don't               see               a               lot               of               people               outside               of               work,"
               "Yeah.

I               know               the               feeling.

Except               for               my               family,               of               course.

Thanks               for               coming,               Sal."
               "Sure,"               she               said               in               acknowledgement.

"I'll               see               you               tomorrow."
               "Yeah.

We               usually               eat               a               little               earlier               than               we               did               tonight."
               Sal               nodded.

"I'll               come               straight               over               from               work.

Is               that               all               right?"
               "Yeah."               Wil               watched               her               as               she               stepped               through               the               door               and               disappeared               down               the               street,               her               nearly               black               hair               swinging               around               her               shoulders               as               she               walked.

Stepping               back               inside,               he               nearly               bumped               into               Tellie,               who               had               come               back               into               the               room.
               "So               I               go               out               to               work               tomorrow,"               she               said.
               "You're               all               business,"               Will               replied,               stepping               around               her.
               Tellie               shrugged.

"I               guess               we               have               to               be.

I               learned               it               from               you,               brother."
               "Yeah."               Wil               sank               down               into               the               worn               armchair               that               their               father               had               always               claimed               for               his               before               his               death.

"So               how               was               your               first               day               out               of               school?"
               Tellie               chose               the               sofa               for               her               perch.

"All               right.

I               was               fortunate               enough               not               to               burn               my               lunch,"               her               eyes               sparked               with               humor               as               she               spoke.

"Ana               Handier               kept               a               close               eye               on               this               place,               but               that's               normal."
               "Yeah."               Wil               stood               up.

"We               need               to               clean               the               kitchen               up.

We               can               talk               while               we               do               that."
               Tellie               nodded               and               they               both               made               their               way               into               the               kitchen.
               "Fera!

Quit               it!"               Jon's               voice               rang               out               the               next               morning.

"You               know               Wil               told               you               no!"
               Wil               dashed               into               his               sister's               room               to               see               what               was               going               on.

In               the               middle               of               the               room,               a               small               whirlwind               of               small               pieces               of               glitter               swirled               in               the               air.
               "Stop               it,               Fera.

You               know               you               can't               do               that.

Not               if               we               want               to               stay               together."               It               was               the               morning               after               Tellie's               birthday               dinner               and               they               had               already               finished               breakfast.

The               glitter               fell               to               the               floor,               leaving               sprinkles               of               color               on               the               tile.
               "I               know.

I               just               wanted               to               see               if               I               still               could               do               it."
               Wil               smiled               down               at               her.

"Just               don't               make               a               habit               of               it.

And               Jon,               don't               yell               at               her.

We're               all               a               little               uptight               these               days."
               "Yeah."               Jon               hefted               his               book               bag               and               sulked               his               way               into               the               front               room.

"Let's               go,"               Wil               told               Fera,               who               was               staring               at               the               glitter               on               of               the               floor.
               "Are               we               going               to               go               with               Ben?"               Fera               asked.
               "I               don't               know.

What               do               you               think?"
               Fera               picked               up               her               bag.

"You               and               Tellie               wouldn't               have               to               work               all               the               time,               then.

That               would               be               good."
               Wil               grinned               at               her.

"Right               you               are.

Go               on               now               or               you'll               be               late!"
               Fera               nodded               and               rushed               down               the               hall.

Wil               heard               Tellie               bustling               her               and               Jon               out               the               door               as               he               crossed               the               room               to               pick               the               two               dolls               up               and               put               them               carefully               on               Fera's               bed.

When               he               turned               and               went               back               into               the               front               room,               his               siblings               were               already               down               the               street.

He               looked               around               the               room,               not               sure               what               to               do               first               although               common               sense               told               him               that               the               dishes               in               the               kitchen               needed               to               be               tended               to.

Resolutely,               he               turned               to               the               kitchen               and               started               stacking               the               breakfast               dishes               in               the               washer,               glad               that               there               had               been               enough               money               three               days               before               to               buy               the               soap               that               served               for               both               their               clothes               and               the               dishes.
               The               door               chime               startled               him,               and               he               barely               kept               the               soap               from               spilling               into               the               washer.

Grabbing               a               towel,               he               wiped               his               hands               while               he               was               running               to               the               door.

Opening               it,               he               found               Ana               Handier               standing               on               the               front               step.
               "Good               morning,               Wil.

I               didn't               realize               you               would               be               here               today.

I               was               hoping               to               see               your               sister."
               "Tellie               took               the               kids               to               school.

I'm               staying               here               today."
               "Ah!"               The               older               woman's               eyes               sparkled.

"Both               of               you               are               out               of               school               then.

That's               too               bad.

Well,               I'll               just               talk               to               her               tomorrow,               then,               if               she's               here               then."
               Wil               nodded.

"I'll               tell               her               you               want               to               talk               to               her.

If               you'll               excuse               me,               Ana,               I               need               to               get               on               with               my               work.

No               one's               been               home               during               the               daytime               since               my               parents               died,               so               there's               a               lot               of               catch               up               work               to               be               done."
               "Sure,               sure,"               Ana               responded.

"I'll               see               you               later,               Wil."
               "Okay.

Good               day,               Ana!"               Wil               responded.

He               watched               as               Ana               walked               back               to               her               house,               wondering               why               she               was               taking               such               an               interest               in               them.
               Halfway               through               the               morning,               Wil               walked               to               the               grocery               store               to               buy               food               for               supper               that               night.

After               stepping               out               the               door,               he               turned               to               face               it,               and               after               looking               quickly               up               and               down               the               street,               he               directed               a               tiny               nudge               of               energy               from               his               mind               to               the               lock,               smiling               quietly               as               he               heard               the               whir               of               the               locking               mechanism               as               it               clicked.

He               could               still               do               it!

After               all               of               these               years,               since               he               was               Fera's               age,               when               his               father               had               found               him               levitating               his               toys               in               his               room               and               told               him               not               to,               that               it               was               dangerous               for               anyone               to               find               out               about               his               abilities;               "It               gets               messy               when               the               government               finds               out               about               people               who               can               do               things               with               their               minds.

Best               to               keep               it               quiet,               son,"               he               had               said.

Now,               walking               down               the               street,               Wil               wondered               about               that               statement.

It               was               true.

He               could               remember               twice               during               his               school               days               that               one               of               his               classmates               had               been               suddenly               removed               from               the               school               after               being               involved               in               two               strange               incidents.

He               also               recalled               that               after               the               second               incident,               the               boy's               family               had               left               town               suddenly.

Now               Wil               found               himself               wondering               if               their               exit               had               been               entirely               voluntary.

Shrugging               mentally,               he               turned               onto               the               walkway               that               led               to               the               market               he               had               worked               at               the               day               before.
               "Good               morning,               Wil!"               Mikel               Carl               called               out               when               he               spotted               him               from               across               the               room.

"I've               hired               all               my               singlers               for               today               already."
               Wil               shook               his               head.

"I'm               not               here               for               work.

I               came               to               buy               something               for               dinner               tonight."
               "Ah.

Now               that               I               can               help               you               with,"               Mikel               replied               as               Wil               walked               to               where               the               vegetables               were               stocked.

Quickly,               he               chose               peas,               beans               and               potatoes               and               went               back               to               the               front               of               the               store.

When               he               placed               it               on               the               counter               in               front               of               the               market               owner,               Mikel               said,               "That's               not               much,               son.

Are               you               sure               you               don't               want               to               get               something               more?"
               Wil               shook               his               head.

"No.

This               is               enough               for               today."
               Mikel               shot               him               a               quick,               shrewd               glance.

"All               right.

Your               sister               didn't               come               by               today.

You               did               tell               her.

.

."
               "Yes.

I               did.

It's               up               to               her,               whether               she               comes               by               or               not.

Maybe               someone               hired               her               before               she               got               here."
               Mikel               nodded.

"Maybe.

Not               many               jobs               out               there               for               singlers,               though.

You               know               that."
               "Yes.

I               should               get               one               credits               back,               Mikel,"               he               reminded               the               man.
               Mikel               nodded.

"I               hadn't               forgotten.

You               remind               your               sister               what               I               said               now!"               he               replied               as               he               handed               Wil               his               change               and               bagged               the               groceries.
               "I'll               do               that,"               Wil               said               as               he               picked               up               his               sack.

"Goodbye,               Mikel.

I'll               see               you               tomorrow."
               "So               long,               Wil!"               Mikel               called               out,               as               Wil               retreated               through               the               door               of               the               market.
               Back               at               home,               Wil               chopped               the               potatoes               and               other               vegetables               before               adding               them               to               the               stew.

Then               he               went               to               the               computer               and               turned               it               on.

When               the               screen               lit               up               he               saw               that               it               had               been               set               up               so               that               only               he               or               Tellie               had               access               to               the               program.

He               accessed               his               name               and               started               looking               at               the               coursework,               which               came               up               as               soon               as               the               screen               cleared.

He               blinked.

The               coursework               started               at               a               lower               level               than               what               he               had               been               doing               when               he               left               school.

"Maybe               they               think               I               need               a               review,"               he               said               to               himself,               staring               at               the               screen.

He               stared               at               the               screen               for               a               moment,               then               accessed               the               lesson               titled               Basic               Mathematics-Level               8,               although               he               had               been               in               level               10               classes               when               his               parents               had               died.
               When               the               early               afternoon               bell               rang,               Wil               turned               off               the               computer.

He               had               found               all               of               the               lessons               easy               enough,               and               been               frustrated               that               the               coursework               was               set               up               so               that               he               needed               to               complete               the               first               lesson               in               each               subject               before               the               program               would               let               him               advance               to               the               more               difficult               ones.

He               had               been               absorbed               enough               by               his               work,               though,               that               he               had               he               had               missed               his               midday               meal.

He               got               up               and               stretched,               working               out               the               kinks               in               his               neck               as               he               headed               to               the               small               kitchen.

A               quick               bite               to               eat,               he               decided,               and               then               he               would               straighten               up               the               house               a               little               before               his               siblings               got               home               from               school--and               work,               he               amended.
               Shortly               after               the               evening               bell               rang,               Sal               came               over.

She               looked               more               careworn               than               she               had               the               day               before,               but               when               Tellie               gave               her               a               cup               of               hot               tea               to               drink,               she               smiled               brightly               and               relaxed               against               the               cushions               of               the               worn               sofa.

Almost               as               soon               as               she               had               started               sipping               at               her               drink,               the               door               buzzer               sounded               again               and               Wil               went               to               answer               it,               admitting               Ben.
               "Supper               will               be               ready               in               a               few               minutes,"               Wil               said.

"Its               nothing               fancy,               though."
               Ben               laughed.

"I'm               not               one               for               fancy               meals,"               he               told               the               boy.

"Especially               when               the               circumstances               of               so               many               are               the               direct               product               of               the               more               affluent               in               our               society               neglecting               those               who               are               reduced               to               poverty               by               accident               or               abuse."
               Wil               smiled               grimly.

"Let's               go               into               the               kitchen,               then.

Fera,               Jon,               go               wash               up               please."
               "I               need               to               wash               up,               too,"               Sal               said               as               she               rose               from               her               seat               and               followed               Wil's               siblings               to               the               washroom.

Ben               turned               to               Tellie.
               "I               trust               you               had               a               good               work               day               today,               Tellie."
               Tellie               nodded               somewhat               abstractedly.

"Yes,               I               did!

I               worked               with               the               street               cleaners               today,               so               I               was               busy               all               day               long."
               They               all               rose               and               walked               into               the               kitchen,               where               Wil               started               dishing               up               bowls               of               stew.

Without               speaking               Ben               picked               up               two               stew-filled               bowls               and               carried               them               to               the               table.

Wil               started               to               object,               but,               at               the               quelling               look               he               received               simply               said,               "Thank               you."               When               the               rest               of               the               group               trooped               in,               it               was               to               find               the               food               on               the               table               and               the               two               men               already               seated.

They               sat               down               quickly               and               began               to               eat,               each               of               them               talking               about               their               day               as               the               meal               progressed.

When               the               meal               was               nearly               over,               Wil               looked               over               at               Ben.
               "And               how               about               you,               sir?

Have               you               been               busy               today?"
               Ben               laughed.

"Oh,               yes.

My               days               are               very               full               right               now.

I               have               to               report               to               my               superiors,               you               see,               and               that               means               that               I               have               to               keep               myself               on               task               so               that               I               have               something               to               report."
               Wil               nodded.

"That               makes               sense.

Are               you               getting               anywhere,               then?"
               Ben               chuckled               once               more.

"I               wouldn't               be               here               now               if               I               wasn't.

Not               to               rush               you,               but               the               sooner               I               hear               your               decision,               means               the               more               quickly               I               can               get               on               with               my               work.

I               have               both               a               time               limit               and               a               personal               travel               limit,               you               see."
               "Oh,"               Wil               responded.
               "Well,               I               can               give               you               my               answer,"               Sal               interrupted               quickly.

"I'll               go               with               you.

I'm               tired               of               grubbing               for               money               every               day               and               knowing               that               it               will               never               be               enough               and               that               I'll               never               make               enough               to               save               anything.

And               maybe               I'll               feel               safe               again.

I               haven't               felt               safe               since               my               parents               died               and               I               had               to               move"
               Ben               nodded.

"That's               fine,               then.

Wil?"
               Wil               swallowed               hard.

"Well,               we               talked               about               it               today,               after               the               younger               ones               came               home               from               school.

We'll               go               with               you,               Ben.

From               what               we               figure,               just               about               anything               that               is               trying               to               make               a               difference               for               people               like               us               is               better               than               hanging               on               here."
               Ben's               face               cracked               into               a               grin.

"Marvelous!

We'll               leave,               tomorrow               then,               at               daybreak.

Sal!"               He               turned               to               the               young               woman.

"Can               you               be               here               by               sunup?"
               Sal               gulped.

"Sure!

It's               not               like               I               have               a               lot               to               pack               or               anything."
               Ben               gave               her               a               slight               smile.

"As               a               matter               of               fact,               you               don't               need               to               pack               anything.

For               this               new               life               you're               all               setting               out               on,               you               won't               need               to               bring               much."               "Just               anything               special               you               want               to               keep               from               your               old               lives."
               Sal               shook               her               head.

"No.

I               had               to               sell               them               all."
               Wil               shifted               in               his               seat.

"You               can               stay               here               tonight,               Sal,               if               you               like.

If               you               don't               need               to               go               get               anything,               that               is.

It               would               probably               be               safer               than               your               place."
               "Yeah.

You've               got               locks               on               the               door               that               work.

That's               more               than               I               have.

I'll               stay               here               then,               if               you               mean               it."
               "Great!"               Fera               exclaimed.

"Can               she               sleep               in               our               room,               Tellie?

We               have               room.

Come               on,               Sal.

Come               see               our               room!"               The               little               girl               was               on               her               feet,               tugging               on               Sal's               hand               to               get               her               out               of               the               kitchen               and               down               the               hall.
               "Sure!"               Sal               said.

"I'd               love               to               see               where               I'll               be               spending               the               night!"               and               she               went               with               Fera               down               the               hall               and               to               the               girl's               bedroom.
               "So               we're               really               doing               this?"               Jon               asked.

I               mean,               we               talked               about               it,               and               we               all               said               yeah               and               everything,               but               I               still               didn't               really               believe               it.

It's               like               a               kid's               story               or               something,               you               know?

Some               guy               comes               to               a               bunch               of               orphan               kids               and               offers               them               a               new               life.

But               in               the               stories,               it               never               works               out."
               "Well,               stories               are               different               than               real               life,               kid,               so               maybe               from               here               on               out               is               where               things               change               from               the               stories.

Are               you               willing               to               take               a               chance               on               it?"
               Jon               nodded.

"Yep.

I've               been               planning               to               leave               this               place               when               I'm               out               of               school               anyway.

Why               not               take               the               chance               to               go               now?"               He               stood               up.

"I               guess               I'm               done               here.

There's               no               homework               for               me               to               do,               since               I'm               not               going               back               to               school,               and               I               want               to               pack               my               bag.

There               are               a               few               things               I'd               like               to               take               with               me."               He               turned               and               left               the               room.
               Ben               rose.

"I'll               be               here               tomorrow               morning               at               sunrise.

You'll               be               ready?"               he               asked               Wil.
               "Yeah.

I               guess               I               should               get               the               kids               to               bed               or               they'll               never               get               up               in               time."               He               stood               up               and               walked               to               the               door               with               Ben               "Thanks,               Ben.

I'll               never               forget               what               you're               doing               for               us,"               he               said               as               Ben               stepped               out               of               the               doorway.
               "It's               my               pleasure.

Until               tomorrow,               then,"               Ben               replied,               stepping               away               from               the               house.

"Don't               forget               to               lock               up!"
               "No,               sir.

I               won't,"               Wil               told               him,               stepping               back               from               the               door               and               keying               the               door               panel.

As               the               door               whooshed               shut,               he               could               hear               his               sisters               behind               him,               looking               for               extra               blankets               to               make               a               pallet               for               their               sudden               guest.
               Half               a               year               after               meeting               Ben               Atkins,               Wil               Travis               stood               on               an               outcropping               of               rock               overlooking               the               settlement               he               now               lived               in               with               his               family.

World's               End,               the               settlers               called               it,               and               the               traders               and               occasional               visitors               who               made               their               way               to               the               colony               thought               they               understood               why,               not               realizing               that               the               settlers               themselves               considered               themselves               refuges               of               a               sort,               all               escapees               from               the               ravages               of               a               society               that               was               fearful               of               those               it               perceived               as               being               dangerously               different               from               them.

He               was               learning               not               only               to               control               his               psi               abilities,               but               to               use               them               in               conjunction               with               his               mental               acuity,               as               was               his               sister               Fera.

All               of               them               were               back               in               school,               along               with               Sal,               who               was               smiling               more               now               than               Wil               had               seen               her               do               since               she               had               left               school               to               take               care               of               herself               after               her               parents               died.

Wil               turned               to               walk               back               down               the               worn               path               back               to               the               house               they               all               shared               with               Ben,               who               stood               as               their               guardian.

He               smiled               to               himself.

A               day               might               come               when               he               was               the               one               picking               up               the               young               strays               of               a               community.

Until               that               time,               he               intended               to               spend               his               time               learning,               growing               and               giving               back               to               the               community               that               had               given               his               family               a               chance               at               a               life               that               was               more               than               mere               survival.






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