Page 15 of Alex
“I’llcall you when lunch is ready!” Ev calls as Cody drags Kyle upstairs to hisroom.
Ijoin Ev in the kitchen while Mason pulls Alex into the den. “How is everythinggoing?” she asks. “Alex seems to be doing better.”
“Heis. Having Kyle around has helped, I think. Distracted him.”
Evwipes her hands on a dishtowel and faces me. “How do you feel about having Kylearound?”
Igrab a soda from her fridge. “He’s a good kid. Hasn’t been any trouble. Masonsays he works hard and won’t have any trouble passing the GED and collegeentrance exams when the time comes. You should see his drawings, pup. I’venever seen such raw talent.”
“Masonshowed me. He’s amazing.” She ladles steaming chili into a large bowl. “Chili’sdone. Take this bowl to the table,” she orders, grabbing a plate of cornbreadand following me into the dining room.
Afterlunch, Everly takes Cody upstairs while Alex, Kyle, and I join Mason in theden. Mason regards Kyle with a smile. “I’ve seen your drawings. You are anextremely talented young man.” He produces a shiny brochure and hands it toKyle.
“Thisis an art school run by a friend of Striking Back. They teach many differenttypes of art, along with music and drama. I’d like to know what you think.”
Kyleflips through the brochure and replies, “It looks like a dream come true, butthe loans I’d need to attend a school like this must be astronomical.”
Masonlays a hand on his shoulder. “No loans, son. Like I said, the school is ownedby a friend, and when I showed him your work, he offered you a fullscholarship. Four years. If this is something you’re interested in pursuing.”
Kylelooks like he’s going to cry. “I can really go here? Free?”
“It’sa rigorous program, and you’ll have to work your ass off,” he warns.
“Ican do that.”
“Iknow you can. You can start Monday if you want, or if you need some time tothink about it, that’s fine too.”
Kyle’smouth drops open. “But…won’t the state find me if I enroll?”
“No,my friend will enroll you under a different last name until you turn eighteen,then correct it. I’ve assured him you’ll have no problem getting your GED thenas well. We can straighten it all out later, but in the meantime, you canbecome a student.”
Heperuses the brochure a little more. “It’s three hours away. Would I livethere?”
“You’dstay in a dorm through the week, and come back to Alex’s on the weekends.”
Alexlooks him in the eye. “We aren’t trying to get rid of you. If you aren’t readyto do this, it’s no problem. You can stay with us and keep taking your GEDclasses and working at the shelter.”
Kylegnaws his lip and the corner of his mouth tips up. “Are there girls?”
Theroom fills with laughter and Mason replies, “It’s co-ed, yes.”
Masonstumbles when Kyle throws his arms around him in a fierce hug. “Thank you. Iwon’t screw up this opportunity. I swear.”
“Iknow you won’t. Now, you’d better get to packing. I’ll drive you up to theschool tomorrow evening and get you settled in.”
Kylesmiles and says, “I need to go say goodbye to Cody and Ev.” I can feel the excitementhumming through him like he’s giving off an electric charge as he rushes fromthe room.
“Areyou sure this isn’t too much too soon?” Alex worries. “He’s still adjusting.”
“Ifhe isn’t happy there, he’s welcome to come back. Let’s give him a chance,” Masonadvises.
“I’msending him with condoms,” I announce.
“Ashitload,” Alex agrees.
* * * *
Alexand I ride with Mason to take Kyle to his new school. Kyle is quiet throughmost of the drive. “You nervous?” I ask.
