ODDS OF LOVE - SEASON 14

Episode 31

During free period at Barrington Academy Sol Klein was called to the headmaster's office which had his stomach all in knots at the prospect of what Dr. HighTower would say to him. He didn't understand why he was being summoned to the office. He wasn't in trouble. At least he didn't think he was.

As he entered the office he just stood there before the desk fidgeting nervously. Gerald looked up from his computer and smiled at the boy , saying," Don't look so worried, Solomon. Have a seat. "

Sol swallowed hard and sat down in the chair opposite the man's desk. " Is everything ok, sir ? Did.... Have I done anything wrong? "

What he wanted to ask was what he had screwed up now.

Gerald shook his head at him and said firmly," You've done nothing wrong, young man. Actually we are very proud of you at the school. Your grades have greatly improved since you started here. A good selection of A's and B's are not bad. Not bad at all. In fact I asked you here because Mr. Anderson, who will be returning here to teach next week, has recommended you for a certain program. "

Sol relaxed slightly. One , he wasn't in trouble. Two , he had actually been complimented on his grades which wasn't a regular situation for him. Unlike Luci and Theodore he had to actually work at his grades. Learning didn't come as easy for him as the others. And , he was happy that Mr. Anderson was coming back to Barrington. He had missed him and his science lectures. " A program, Dr. HighTower ? What about? "

Gerald opened up his desk drawer and removed a bright glossy brochure to hand to him. Sol accepted it with a curious look on his young attractive slightly freckled face. Sol looked down at the brochure which had a picture of several smiling young people of different races and genders on the front along with the big bold words The Greener Path. He looked up with unspoken questions in his green eyes.

Gerald explained as he leaned back in his chair," It's a special environmental program for middle school students from different countries in Costa Rica at an university there. They take regular academic classes but the primary focus is studying sustainability solutions and other environmental issues. Mr. Anderson was asked by the program director to recommend a few students to attend the next school term in Costa Rica. He chose you because he said you have a special love for the environment that needs to be nurtured. "

Sol was stunned. What? , his brain chimed out even as his lips uttered ," Me ? In Costa Rica? Could I even do that?"

" Well , we would need permission, of course, from your legal guardians which are Spencer and DuBuis. And it would only be from early January to late May of next year. As I said you would also do academic classes there and get credit for your next term here. You would be living in a dormitory with the other students and at least two program chaperones. The tuition, room and board would be furnished completely by Barrington Academy through a special educational grant. I wanted to see if you were interested in such a program before I make contact with Spencer and DuBuis about it. Are you interested, Solomon? "

Sol was amazed especially as he was flipping through the brochure and reading about the program. Seeing all the pictures. Reading the testimony of previous students. He was getting excited even as he looked at the brochure. He wanted this.

But could he actually do it without screwing it up?

And , he would be away from home for several months. Away from the people he regarded as a family. His friends. His life here.

Luci...... What would Luci say ? Would things still be the same between them if he went away?

He bit his lip hard.

" Solomon , are you interested in attending this program? If so I need to contact your guardians for written approval and then you also need to apply which is more a formalty than anything really. It's alright to say no. It's up to you, son. "

Sol looked down at the brochure for the longest time thinking to himself and then glanced back up at the waiting patiently headmaster.

Finally he said almost eagerly," I want to do it. I want to go to this program. "