Page 99 of Pack: Posy 3

"How to type on a computer."

Oh. That was disappointing. I wasn't good with computers, and that would probably help me get better, but it sounded boring!

"And home economics?" I asked more hopefully.

"How to run a house. Cooking, meal planning, doing laundry, cleaning."

"All the stuff you already know how to do," Wyatt interrupted with a chuckle. "You'd be bored, even though I know you want to be with Peri."

"There are a couple more options," Mr. Varner continued. "We could make your schedule work to do sculpture with Archer and Wayne and creative writing with Peri."

I could guess what sculpture was from Emerson talking about clay earlier, but I asked what creative writing was about. He explained that it included writing stories and poetry alone, with partners, and in small groups, and having the opportunity to compete in a bunch of different writing contests.

I asked for time to think about everything, so Mrs. Terrell explained the daily schedule and told Emerson and Angelo that Thoreau could have alternative areas to go for lunch if the cafeteria was too loud. By the time she was finished, I'd made my decisions.

"Mr. Varner, I'd like to take creative writing."

"Very good. I'll get that set up for you." He typed away on his laptop.

"So, let's recap." Mrs. Terrell smiled as she looked down at her notepad. "You filled out the registration forms online. I'll assign a case manager to Reau, who will organize everything related to his child study and be in touch with your private psychologist. Posy and Reau's schedules are set up, and I put an alert in their files about the list of their safe people that Wyatt provided. Did I miss anything?"

"Can Wayne and Archer bring them in to tour the school sometime before opening day?" Wyatt asked.

"Sure. Any time they want during regular school hours. Just stop and get badges from Mrs. Grizzard in the office first."

"And can you mark in their files that only people on Wyatt's list are allowed to sign them out and pick them up from school?" Emerson asked.

"Of course I can."

"Then I believe that's all." He turned to Thoreau. "You feel better about coming to school now, Reau?"

"Oh, yes, Bubba! Do we start tomorrow?" He blinked his stone-colored eyes up at his brother.

"No, honey. Not for a few more weeks."

"Aw." Thoreau's bottom lip poked out in a pout.

"We have to get ready, Reau," I told him. "We have to get our supplies first."

"Supplies? What are supplies?"

"A backpack. Pens and pencils and stuff like that." I reached over and petted his soft curls.

"Oh.Shopping." He made a disgusted face.

"Wayne and Archer will have to get their gear, too," Angelo reminded him. "What if we tag along with them?"

"And maybe get pizza and ice cream afterwards?" Emerson was not above a bribe, apparently.

Thoreau screeched with happiness and nodded really fast.

That settled that. We said goodbye to Mr. Varner and Mrs. Terrell and waved to Mrs. Grizzard, who was busy on the phone, but waved back with a smile.

We were on our way to the vehicles when Angelo asked what Wyatt and I were going to do now.

"Posy's starting self-defense lessons in," Wyatt paused to look at his watch, "about half an hour at the training center."

"Oh, Reau, you should come, too!" I clasped my hands under my chin. "You can learn with me!"

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