It was our first day of school and we stood at the curb with our luggage. There were no classes just assemblies and we were there mostly to locate our dorm rooms and get settled. Six of us would share a room that week and get a feel for campus life.
The four story dormitory appeared quite old at first but it wasn't. It was built in the image of a previous building with modern materials to replace a building damaged by an earthquake in the 1970's .
We gave our names to a boy at the door and he directed us to our rooms. We rode the central elevator up one floor and then marched to nearly the end of the north wing. The room was spacious and our I.D. cards opened the door with no problem.
A solitary boy sat on one bed, he rose as we entered. "I'm Jael Burton, are you guys new like me or returning?" He asked.
"Well I'm new but Chase here is returning, maybe he can tell us what we're supposed to do," I suggested.
"Oh yeah, um, you should have an instruction envelope and it will have your bed assignment and cabinet number. Always keep your cabinet locked, it's one of the rules and it cuts down on jokes. You open the cabinet with your card and then lock it the same way. Just pass the card through the reader. The proctors check occasionally and you get tagged if you forget to lock up," Chase explained.
"What kind of Jokes?" asked Jael.
"Oh nothing destructive, your trousers might get replaced with some too large or too small, things like that. Nothing mean as of yet but you never know what to expect from new students," Chase shared.
"Do you guys know each other?" Jael asked.
"Yes, we live across the street from each other and our brothers are starting kindergarten here. Do you have brothers here?" I replied.
"No, I had a brother but he died," Jael said softly.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to stir up sad memories," I said.
"Oh, you couldn't know, don't worry about it. It was a long time ago," Jael answered.
The door opened and two ten year old boys stood there looking terrified.
"Are we in the right room?" The dark haired boy asked.
"Welcome, if the card opened the door, then you're in the right room," Chase informed them.
Relief shown on their faces as they realized it wasn't an upperclassmen trick.
"This is Etienne, that's Jael and I'm Chase, I'm the only returning student I know of in here so far, but we still have one to meet. Do you know your bed and cabinet numbers?" Chase inquired.
"I'm Jean Claude, the red head stated, I have number 2305 and bed 5," he said with surety.
"I have 2306 and bed 6," said Ewan the dark haired boy.
Once again the door opened and a befuddled looking blonde stepped through, "Hi I'm Jake, I guess this is where I'm supposed to bunk in?"
"Welcome, are you new or a returnee?" I asked.
"Nice to meet ya, I'm a returnee. How are ya Chase?" Jake grinned.
"I'm great Jake, how was summer on the ranch?" Chase asked.
"Exhausting, they had me looking forward to school. At least I got out before castration time," Jake grinned.
"Castration?!" asked Ewan in alarm.
"Not me buddy, the calves, we castrate bull calves at about four months, it helps them gain weight and makes them less aggressive," Jake explained. "Of course I was there just in time for horning, it's not quite as bad but it stinks. We burn the horn buds off the calves at four weeks so they don't grow and damage other steers, humans or horses," Jake informed Jael and the rest of us.
"Sounds messy and nasty, I think I'll pass," Jael replied.
"So how old are we here?" Jake asked.
"I'll be fourteen in a few days and Chase is coming up in a month or so if I got it right, I don't know about the rest but I'm guessing they stacked us according to age. Youngest farthest from the door. Maybe Chase knows why," I speculated.
"I'm thirteen for another six months," Jake volunteered.
"And I'll be thirteen next month, how about you guys?" Jael asked the two youngest boys.
"I just turned ten," Ewan uttered.
"I'll be eleven next week," Jean Claude added.
"I wonder what the reasoning is for organizing things that way?" I asked.
"I think it's for safety reasons, in case of fire or some other evacuation the older students are responsible for the younger ones, I guess," Chase speculated.
"Well that's wrong, how do they know if I'm good in a crisis? Maybe Ewan is sharper when there's an emergency. It doesn't make sense on the face of it. I know guys older than me that run around like loons in an emergency. People could die if the wrong person is in charge. Someone might run off and leave all the younger kids to burn or die from smoke. No, I'm going to be talking to someone about this. I guess I'll ask the proctors who came up with this crazy ass idea. It makes more sense that it was just privilege for older students. But I'll find out," I promised.
I turned to find the other boys grinning at me, what had I said I wondered.
"Etienne, I already know how good you are in a crisis. I think the others are flattered that you didn't decide they were incapable of dealing with an emergency. But you're right, it's a silly policy and I'll go with you to ask about the thinking behind it," Chase said soothingly.
"Well I guess we should get dressed for assembly, when we get back we should probably make a list on the maintenance board for cleaning duty. I suggest we just draw names at random so nobody has to do the same job every day. The general attitude in this school is that everyone puts in the effort and that means cleaning the bathroom too, but that's not a license to be a pig and leave a big mess. The toilet is the biggest source of arguments in a dorm. If you leave stuff stuck to the bowl, grab the brush and get rid of it. Don't leave messes for someone else to clean up cos payback is a bitch. Just keep it in mind," Jake suggested.
"I agree, we can draw names when we get back, that's how most rooms do it," Chase contributed.
We all gave an indication of assent and began undressing so we could put on our uniforms.
There are screens along the back wall that you can put between the beds if you're shy, no judgment," Jake pointed out.
The two youngest looked at the screens and decided against them.
Once we were dressed I suggested we look at the evacuation maps on the walls of the room and in the halls. The stair wells were easy to find and the elevator had a crowd in front of it. I figured I would only use it if I was carrying something heavy.
"So does everybody know where to assemble and which path to take to the closest stairwell?" I asked.
Everyone sounded off with a definite yes.
"Cool, let's find some seats in the auditorium and see if they have special seating plans there too," I suggested.
We were a bit early and we crossed paths with Mr. Courtney the chief proctor/security man.
"Hi Mr. Courtney, I'm Etienne, you and I met during the tour on open school day," I reminded him.
"Yes, I remember. I'm glad you didn't judge the school by one bad apple," Mr. Courtney acknowledged.
"I have a question about a school policy, the one about putting the oldest closest to the door. I fail to see the logic in it. I mean, I could be a complete asshat in an emergency and one of the younger guys could be solid as a rock, if you get my meaning. I'm asking what is the policy based on? I asked.
"Mr. Courtney snatched his radio mic and pushed the talk button. "We have a winner, Dorm two room ,?
"23 sir," Jake answered.
"Room 23 Mr. Courtney continued. I'm sure there'll be others but these guys were first" Mr. Courtney told the person listening.
"Send them to the auditorium and have them check in with me, I'll alert the head master,"
"Am I in trouble for asking about policy sir?" I asked.
"Far from it, just check in with the man at the auditorium, and it will all be explained to you," Mr. Courtney smiled.
We made our hike to the auditorium and found Dr. Kilcher the dean of students was the voice on the radio.
"Gentlemen, thank you for discussing the policy with our head of security, we have 396 students present on campus now. The younger students will join us next week because they are under the minimum age for boarding in, unless it's an emergency. Each year we do the same test and we usually get quite a few students that question the guidelines. And that is precisely what we're looking for. In truth based on responses and education, room captains will be voted on by the room members based on qualifications. Which one among you questioned the policy first?" Dr. Kilcher asked.
The other boys pointed at me, Chase and Jake were grinning, they had known it was a setup.
"And what was your first action other than finding our chief of security?
"I suggested we find the evacuation route and the closest stairwell. We found the assembly point in the quad outside the dorm building but we did it as a group," I stressed.
"Relax Etienne, you aren't in any trouble and you won't be held up as an example or made to take the stage and explain your actions. We just like to know how many thinking people we have out there that see something cockeyed and don't just live with it. Thank you and of course, keep it to yourselves, it's still a test in progress. After assembly I'm sure the word will get around though. So relax and enjoy the assembly" Dr. Kilcher urged.
The assembly confirmed what the dean of students had said, of 66 rooms only 26 had questioned the policy. He had hoped for better but understood the entrenched ideas of age bias vs. actual performance. He stressed that there was no shame if anyone felt that they couldn't act as the leader during a fire or any other emergency. He explained that all the eligible students had their assigned rooms and if they weren't boarding full time then they should be excused from being the room captain. The other four boys were full time boarders and Chase and I would keep clothes and personals in our cabinets and it would give us a place to relax if we had the time.
One of the best features of the building was that every room had a balcony. Shower blocks and other facilities occupied the building's core. Three rooms share a shower block, there were nine showers, two stalls and a trough urinal. The bathroom in the room had one toilet stall, and a three bowl sink with mirrors and good lighting and importantly exhaust fans. There was a small food prep area and refrigerator shared among three rooms. It had a microwave and a toaster oven and strict rules about keeping things clean. It was nice to have and the entertainment rooms were sized for eighteen people or three rooms worth of boys. A Blue ray player and Netflix plus basic cable for news and some sports took care of our needs. Most nights it wouldn't affect me but there would be times that I would stay over. I had it talked over with Mom and if the roads were icy or something else kept her from safely making the trip, I would stay over until things changed, basically the same deal Chase and Jeff had. I wondered about John and Carter. I found out that there were special rooms for the little guys and we could visit if they got stuck at school. Seattle winters can be rough, especially this close to Lake Washington.
There was also a common room with a piano, it was a nice Yamaha baby grand. There was nobody around when I sat down but once I started playing I had all sorts of people around me. It was kind of cool. I played lots of raunchy jazz and some stride, a couple of classical numbers.
"Anybody else want to take a run, it's a nice instrument," I asked.
A small hand went up in the back. I was astonished when I got a look at him. He was a ten year old and the weird part was that he looked like me only smaller.
"Is that your little brother Etienne?" someone asked.
"Uh no, my little brother is five. Um, what is your name kid?" I asked.
"Dieter I'm new but I can play. Not like you but some stuff," He smiled weakly.
I stood and offered him the stool.
He sat, adjusted the stool and tried the pedals as he ran a scale or two. Then he launched into a barcarolle that I couldn't identify. It was complex and the melody was rich. He transitioned to Offenbach and then Mozart and then stopped. I led the applause and he blushed, but he grinned from ear to ear.
"Do you think you could help me learn some jazz?" Dieter asked.
"I don't see why not, if the teachers don't mind me corrupting you. Will you take lessons here," I asked.
"Yes, but my last teacher wouldn't allow me to learn other music, only his choices. I hope they're more flexible here," Dieter uttered.
"I guess we'll find out eh?" I supplied.
Dieter smiled and skipped down the hallway. Back in our room I found Jael lounging on the balcony. I knew Chase was reconnecting with a few old friends so I sat in the chair next to Jael.
"Etienne, that's French isn't it?" Jael asked.
"Yes, am I the first Etienne you've met?" I countered.
"In person, I've seen the name in stories and on TV, I like it, it's a cool name," Jael responded.
"Jael? That's an old testament name isn't it, it can be used for boys or girls right?" I asked.
"I don't know, it was a name my dad got out of a science fiction book called Destiny's Road. I've never read it or even looked up my name, I wonder why?" he pondered aloud.
"It's a good book, and I've met another boy named Jael some time ago," I didn't say when, it was a period in time when old testament names were quite common along with tricorn hats.
"Well, maybe I'll finally read it and check google about my name. You're the first to pick up on the right pronunciation, instead of 'Jail'," he remarked.
We could see boats from our balcony, they were far out on the lake but we could make them out.
Chase joined us after half an hour and reminded us there was a rooftop area where we could get a better view of the lake closer to shore.
"Hey guess what?" Chase said.
I told him I had no idea.
"Remember I told you about Skevin and how he kept that creep Russ off my back?" Chase prompted.
"Yes, I remember the story. What happened?" I asked.
"Well, you remember I was kind of dreading Russ because Skevin went to a different school this year, but Russ was invited not to return by the dean of students. I guess his behavior caught up with him and he wasn't allowed to attend here anymore. So that's something I don't have to worry about, none of us do!" Chase related excitedly.
"Excellent, I have no use for bullies at all and I would probably have had to do something about him myself. School is tough enough without jerks like that. Are there any more I should know about?" I asked.
"I don't think so, but we get new students in all the years every new term. I hope none of them are mean, I don't know how Russ got in here. It doesn't fit the criteria unless something changed him after he started here. He wasn't like Benny though, Russ was mean and physical. Benny was just intimidating and verbal,"
"Who's Benny?" Jael inquired.
"He was a boy in our neighborhood but he wasn't really a bully, he was being abused and he coped by lashing out," I explained.
"So what happened to him?" Jael pursued.
"He called CPS and got help. Now he's in a foster home and being loved and cared for. The man he's with is going to adopt him," I related.
"Sweet," Jael replied. "So he's not a bully anymore?"
"I don't think he ever was, he was just hurting so badly that he bothered others to ease his own pain. But it didn't help and he finally said what they were doing to him. It was pretty awful stuff too. Nobody should be treated that way and especially a kid like us. I have my own demons but Etienne has helped me work through some things," Chase shared.
Jael's eyes were streaming tears, he was very empathetic. "I won't ask, but I'm glad you had a friend who could help, I lost my big brother before I really got to know him. Someone ran over him and just took off, they left him to die in the road. I was only four and I didn't understand why he wasn't there anymore."
Chase and I rose and each put a hand on Jael's shoulders. He patted them and said thank you.
"Let's go up and check out the roof terrace," Jael suggested.
We decided on the stairs, it was only a four story building and we were already on the second floor and the elevator doesn't go to the roof anyway. The wind was substantial and chilly, my suggestion of jackets was more appreciated now.
I walked the path all the way around the building observing views of the city. I noted the Space Needle and the bridge near Spokane street. I could see the office towers near Pioneer square. Elliot bay disappeared in the distance as a light fog drifted in. Lake Washington was beautiful and dotted with boats of all sorts. I saw Mercer Island and the I-90 bridge, another bridge was just visible in the haze but I'd have to ask about that one. We took a seat on the benches facing the lake and watched. Jael noted the time on his phone and it was time for the dining hall and the opening day dinner.
The other three were in the room getting dressed when we walked in.
"School jackets and ties tonight guys, gotta show those crests on the pocket," Jake giggled.
Jake might be a rancher's kid but he was no bumpkin. Most of that was an act, I was certain. We would all meet the Headmaster that evening. We had our instructions, Stand, shake his hand and answer his questions without going into too much detail. We could ask questions if they were meaningful.
I had one that I would ask if the opportunity presented.
I had expected long tables like at Hogwarts but it was actually a collection of circular tables except for the head table which was a long rectangular table. We were given our table number as we entered and we shared it with the residents of another room. These were mostly older boys in our case, Juniors and Seniors and two ten year old sixth year boys, but they were kind and solicitous and asked about our rooms and what we thought of the school so far.
One of them had been there since age five and said it was a great school by his standards although he had never been at another. He based his opinion on his friends at home and their experiences at other schools, public and private, his name was Hauser, and said he only went by his given name when pressed.
Another boy, a senior called Warren introduced himself, "I've been to six or seven schools, since I was eight. Dad moved around the world a lot and finally plunked me down here and I asked him to just let me stay and get on with my schooling," Warren related. "There was a really good school in South Africa but I felt bad that there were no black students. It seemed wrong. The one in Dubai was really weird for a lot of reasons. The teachers were strict and there were armed guards everywhere. There was a nice one in Ireland and I enjoyed it and another in England and a couple that were just unpleasant all around. Because of that I have a strange way of speaking and a very strange accent, but now you know why. This is the best school by far and now Dad is back in Europe but I'm here and I plan to stay. I'll be attending UW after I take a gap year. I want to explore a bit, see what's out there. Maybe get some insight about my real purpose here on this planet."
"That's interesting Warren, are you American?" I asked.
"Yes, born in Virginia. Mom died when I was four and Dad and a series of nannies took me to eight years old. Most boarding schools wouldn't take boys younger than nine. And I went to a day school in a town outside of Cambridge in England. Hardly ever saw my dad but I guess that was because of what he does," Warren related somewhat wistfully.
Warren sort of withdrew a bit and it looked like he was considering his past.
"Where did you pop up from Etienne? If I might ask," inquired Devlin, a junior with an impish grin but a pleasant light demeanor.
"I came from California minus the banjo, Santa Barbara to be exact. We've only just moved here. My dad got an offer from Boeing but didn't take it, he took another job instead," I supplied.
"Chief of the homicide bureau is what I heard, is that true?" Devlin supplied.
"Yes, that's true, I suppose word is out about the assistant choirmaster thing," I grumbled.
"Yeah but don't sweat it, it was all through the school the same day and I'm glad he's gone. Did your dad arrest him personally?" Devlin asked.
"Yes, he takes a really dim view of child abuse in any form. I saw it happen and Roland was there too. I understand he can't work with kids anymore. I think that's a good thing. The sergeant that was with Dad used to have to live with the same thing from the Jesuits that ran his school. And Mr. Courtney wanted to drag him out of the school by his ankles, at least that's what Dad told my mom," I explained.
"Yeah, Dylan's a cool guy, he's not here to police us, he's here to protect us and he stresses that both with us and faculty. You can always go to him with a problem and he'll try to find a way to help," Devlin told all of us.
"He seems like a nice guy, I talked to him before assembly and he acted pretty nice to all of us," I added.
"Yeah, I heard you were the guys that questioned the dumb policy first. Our two little guys asked about it but it took some coaxing to get them to speak up to Dr. Kilcher," Devlin remarked.
The two ten year old's were seated between Devlin and Warren as if under their protection. Devlin was obviously the most invested of the four older boys. He had a kind smile and often turned to look at his charges to see if they were comfortable.
The other senior named Keith didn't say much, but he looked interested in our conversation and when we shook hands later I realized that he was immensely shy. He could assert himself when needed but he preferred to speak only when he had something to contribute. I guessed that he did best one to one and I would try and engage him when I could.
I also confirmed that Devlin was the mother hen of the room and made sure everyone was warm when they went out and paid particular attention to the comfort of the two younger boys.
The Headmaster was entertaining to say the least, he seemed to know every student by name including me and made quite a bit of my questioning the weird policy. He seemed to know who had taken the initiative in each room that had asked about the subject. Ours was one of the tiny few that had checked out evacuation routes and assembly points. It had just seemed to be common sense to me but they made quite a bit about it.
Our evening wound down and we returned to our dorm taking the stairs although there was less of a jam at the elevator. We only had one floor to climb and made it to our room. We each swiped our card as we passed through the door which Jake had opened. It was one of the rules designed for our safety. All of us stripped and grabbed our bath robes and wearing only those crossed to the shower block. Only one shower was in use and we all grabbed a towel from the dispenser and hung it outside on the rack. The showers were not divided. We were each in full view of the others.
"It's going to be a regular thing guys, we'll get used to it, don't worry about boners or how you look naked. It is what it is," Jake counseled.
Chase and I grinned at him, he happened to look great nude as did Jael, Jean Claud and Ewan were still waiting for that first bloom of puberty. They were mostly lean with a bit of baby fat. Chase looked fantastic and me? Well I was comfortable, and all the walking and riding had helped my tone substantially.
The three younger boys went to bed exhausted and Jake joined Chase and me on the roof with heavy coats to watch the now dark Lake Washington as ships and tugs from the mills in Kirkland, container barges and tour boats made their way to the locks and out through the sound to the Pacific. We spent about a half hour on the roof and decided that cold and fatigue had taken their toll and opted for bed. We let Jake head down first and I kissed Chase goodnight just in case we weren't able to find the privacy in our room.
We all settled in and I bade Jake and Chase goodnight. I was asleep quickly but woken at two by my bladder. When I returned I heard a noise, it was sobbing and I found that Ewan was the source. I put a hand on his shoulder and he apologized for waking me.
"You didn't wake me, my bladder did. I just heard you when I came out," I informed him.
"Sorry to be such a baby, I've never boarded before and I miss my own room and my family," He whispered hoarsely.
"Well since you're awake now, why not have a pee and then I'll try to help you get back to sleep," I suggested.
"Yeah, I should," he agreed and slid from his bed, padding to the bathroom.
On his return I suggested he find his most comfortable position and then give me his hand and I would try to help him relax, I started with his breathing telling him to inhale through his nose and exhale through his mouth, while he was doing that I did as I had with John, Carter and Chase and projected images of serenity. Waterfalls, flowers and meadows ran through his mind and he was soundly asleep in minutes.
I returned to my bed and returned to slumber easily.
In the morning I was brushing my teeth when Jake walked in.
"Will it bother you if I pee?" He asked.
"Only if you aim it at me," I grinned.
"After last night in the showers we have no secrets, I don't have anything you don't, just less of it," He grinned.
He came to the adjacent sink to wash his hands. "That was really nice what you did for Ewan last night. There always seems to be one that gets sad about being so far from home.
"I know how he feels, I still miss my friends in Santa Barbara, but I'm coping. I made great friends with Chase and a few others," I said aimlessly.
"Yeah, you guys are tight. My best friend went to a different school this year. His parents split up and he's back east now. But this place is full of guys looking for a friend so I feel pretty confident," Jake said cheerfully.
"I have no doubt you'll make close friends with someone here, and you already know that I'm your friend too. Or at least I hope you do," I added.
Jake looked startled and suddenly overcome just a bit. I put a hand on his back and soothed him as best I could.