Three Brood Instigators

76. Camp Roosevelt

Third week of May,

"You have everything packed up?" Nanny tidied Wilkes' hair by the earliest morning.

"Yes, mam," Wilkes smiled.

"Look at you," she rubbed his hair. "You're so grown up now, so responsible, so noble, you are the son your parents expected you to be."

Wilkes then said, "Thanks nanny, you are also the best nanny any orphan could ever expect."

They both hugged. "I'm proud of you," she said, Wilkes hugged hard. "Now," she let go smoothly. "Get out there, and learn something anew."

"Thank you Nanny," Wilkes thanked. "For everything since the beginning."

"Of course, Wilkes," she smiled. "Of course."

The doorbell rang, Solomon was there to wait, Wilkes were surprised.

"What, you expect me to go all alone like a sad crow?" Solomon greeted.

"I'm glad you came to pick him up, nice catch by the way," she said. "Well, go on, Wilkes," she let. "Have fun."

Wilkes gave his last hug one last time, something Nanny never expected to experience before, and something Solomon never expected to envy. Walking on the way to the school for the bus,

"You loved your nanny so much, do you?" Solomon asked. "Wilkes?"

"Oh, uhm, yeah, sorry, I... my head was somewhere else?"

"What, a sad crow? Haha," Solomon patted. "Oh Wilkes, I like that you are making a brave journey, but nonetheless you still have some anxiousness, some... fear inside you," he alluded. "Have I wonder if there are other guys like you in this world?"

"Uhm, yeah, I, I guess," Wilkes said.

A mile away from school, as he made a turn, Pastuzo was there, watching by the light pole.

"Solomon," Wilkes said. "Can you eait in the bus and save some seat," he said. "There is a friend from Tavernier I need to speak too."

"Ok?"

Wilkes moved to Pastuzo, but stopped,

"Solomon," Wilkes reminded. "This is a private matter, please."

"Ok, ok," Solomon said. "Just want to know if you are serious."

Wilkes approached Pastuzo, and stared that Solomon walked away,

"What do you want, Pastuzo?" Wilkes whispered.

"Is that how you greet a friend?!" Pastuzo questioned.

"Shush!" Wilkes whispered. "I don't want anyone to know about all this!"

"Then you shouldn't have helped, not hiding and getting away like a coward," Pastuzo said.

"Pastuzo," Wilkes warned, Solomon wondered what they are talking seriously about from afar. "If we are not careful, we'll all be captured," he said. "I wish I never helped you... that was... the biggest mistake I ever did."

"Yeah, yeah, FUCK YOU. If you were any man at all, you'd fix your mistakes and handle the consequences!" Pastuzo warned. "You're a coward, Wilkes..."

"And you're nothing but a toxic friend," Wilkes said. "Stay away from me, my family, my friends, and my life, Pastuzo!" he pointed and left. "I am done with involving myself with your shenanigans, finito."

Wilkes left with Solomon. "Traitorous son OF A BITCH!" Pastuzo shouted.

Waiting in the benches,

"What was that all about, Wilkes?" Solomon asked, Wilkes was silence. "You both looked so serious about it."