The Adventures of Stevie #201
These stories were told to me by friends and other people. Some of them
are true. Some of them are only partly true. Some of them should have
been true. LOL
My first post about Stevie ("Call me Stephen!") was when he was 12 and
in summer camp and was told by another camper. This was from a time
before computers would fit on a desk and when people communicated with
friends in other countries by actual letters sent through the postal
service. When children did this those friends were called "penpals".
Carlos is Stevie's penpal in Argentina and knows English. This is a
fictional contrivance to enable Stevie to tell us his stories because
he isn't here in person. I think.
All characters are fictitious, even if some of them might have names
that belong to some actual people, or act like people we know.
Stevie's school is for gifted children who don't fit in regular schools.
The stories may not be posted in chronological order.
Stevie is 14 in this story, in the Fall of year 5 of special school.
The Adventures of Stevie #201 "Decisions Come"
Dear Carlos,
It was Sunday afternoon, and Pete, Race, and I were running around
the pool parking lot. Some sprints, and some jogging in between them. A
very tall boy came over and wanted to talk with is. We recognized him
as the boy who had kicked Race while he was on the ground. He said "Hi,
I'm Sam." We introduced ourselves. He said to Race, "I'm sorry I
attacked you. I don't know why I did it, but I know I shouldn't have.
Bart deserved what you did to him, which he actually told me." Race
said, "That's alright. If you hadn't. I wouldn't have met these great
people. We're even." They shook hands. Sam turned to me and said, "Was
that big voice which stopped me, yours?" I squeaked, "Who me?" And
coughed. I said in my regular voice. "Yes. It seemed like the right
thing to do at the time." He smiled and said, "Seems so. Thanks. I'll
be seeing you." He left. Pete said "Word's getting around." Race said,
while measuring the pool, "It's more like a rectangle." We poked him.
We went inside, and out to the backyard, so I could show them my new
inventions. They had much the same reactions Rod had. I gave them their
own sets, in boxes, which they would take when they left. Then we went
to have a meeting with father. I started it with saying, "Twice I was
injured enough to be out of action for more than a month. The team
didn't have any jobs to do then, so being without it's leader wasn't a
problem. Now it would be. I need a second, and possible replacement for
when something like that happens again. I have a feeling it will. There
is only one clear choice. Pete, that's you. It would be you anyway, by
necessity, like it's been for me, but now you know it's what I want,
because it's best for the team. Now for comments. You first, Race." He
said "I agree, even though I don't like thinking about you being hurt.
Pete is the most suited for being the leader, after you." I said
"Father?" He said "I agree. Rod will probably go along with it, but
Chad could be a problem. He loves and idolizes you with a passion,
which would make him resist your replacement, no matter who it was." I
nodded. I said "Pete?" He said "I don't want to, but I have to agree
with all of you. Stephen, don't think you fooled me with your
intentions. I knew you had plans for me, by what you had me do and
learn." I said "Who me? Fool you? Never. Race knew too, the same way
you did. Rod and Chad might not know, and Jan might, but wouldn't say
anything first. One of my goals from the from the beginning, was to
make more people like me. Before you, Tomba was the best, but was out
of reach for the team. Then it was you, and here we are."
I said "I have to confess, part of this is selfishness. I never liked
going on jobs, since the first one about the ducts. I don't like
adventure. I prefer learning, and inventing, and helping people. Loving
people too, which we all like to do. I hope you all don't mind too much
that I feel this way." Pete and Race hugged me. Pete said "For somebody
who doesn't like it, you sure do a great job!" I grinned and said, "Now
you know why. To get it over with as fast as possible." That got me
some more hugs. I said "The only reason why I took over when we went to
get the alien parts, was the dog. I'm kind of an expert in that area. I
knew I could use it to turn him around." Pete said "I figured that. I
think the rest did, too." We discussed more things, and I said, "Pete
and Race, could you go up without me for a second? I want to talk with
my father a little bit." They nodded and want.
Father said "I know what you want to ask. I only do this kind of work
because it's all I know, and I'm very good at it. While I like it
probably less than you do, I like the feelings of accomplishment and
success it gives me, so I stay with it. In recent times, I've cut back
on the work, to concentrate on supporting the school and the team, and
your vision for them. The way you feel, you would be a fool not to
concentrate on the other things you can do better than anybody else in
the entire world. And you are definitely not a fool." I said "Thanks. I
love you." I made a motion, and he nodded. We hugged. I gave him my
love, and pretended not to see the tear on his cheek when I turned to
go upstairs.
In the bedroom, while I was undressing, Pete asked, "How did it go?"
I said "He agrees completely. It would be better if I stopped going on
jobs. I have his full support." They hugged and kissed me. I let myself
go, and cried in their arms. They understood. I was giving up one way
of life and success, for another I wanted more, and the relief was
tremendous, but there was also a lot of sadness for what I was leaving
behind. They knew it was going to be very hard for me to let go, and
for them to accept that from me. They cried with me, for me, and for
themselves at the loss. And for their new responsibilities, too. We all
have to grow up sometime. We did a lot of that, that day.
Your friend,
Stephen
--
Grant
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