CHAPTER NINE
_ “Good morning, boys,” Father Louis greeted as he took his usual place at the head of the table in the candle studio. “Are you all ready to get started on our next candle project?”
None of the boys answered. They silently looked at each other which didn’t seem to bother the old priest. He walked over to his desk by the door and began to fumble through the heap of books and papers.
“In way of review, over the last few weeks you have learned how to make rolled candles, stacked candles, use sand to make a mold, use metal and rubber molds—” Father Louis stopped in mid-sentence, his eyes darting from side to side, not focusing on anything, his mouth continuing to form words unspoken.
Charlie grabbed Howard’s arm and nodded in Father Louis’ direction.
“What?” Howard whispered and looked. When Howard noticed the priest’s strange behavior, he stood up. “Father, are you okay?”
Father Louis stopped moving his lips and looked at Howard. “Yes, dear boy, I’m fine. Why do you ask?”
Howard sat down, shaking his head. “Oh, it’s nothing.” He looked at Charlie and shrugged.
“Found it!” Father Louis announced, pulling out a thick, tattered book from the center of the heap. “Oh, before we begin, I have a treat for you. I’ve sorted through the last batch of candles each of you has made,” he continued as he walked back to the head of the table, “and in the boxes over there,” he said, pointing his pinky at the boxes on the shelves, “you will find one of your candles. It is yours to do with as you please. They would make a wonderful gift. In fact, last year my boys all donated their candles to be sold at our Oktoberfest booth.”
Travis raised his hand immediately.
Father Louis looked over the top of his book at him. “Yes, Master Bleckinger?”
Travis stood up. “I’d like to donate my candle,” he announced with a pious smirk.
“Why, that’s very thoughtful of you. Please sit down.” Father Louis said.
Charlie looked at Howard and rolled his eyes.
“Now, our final candle project for the year is the dipped taper candle. For this candle we will be using our tallest, narrow pot. You will begin by cutting up your wax into small pieces. Why is that, Master Kugele?”
Gus jumped and looked up from his notepad. “Ah, so it will melt quicker?”
“That is correct!” Father Louis shouted and smiled. “Next you will bring the water in your boiling pan to a gentle boil. Then place your tall pot with your wax into the water. Remember, I’ve said this all summer, do not use high heat as it could cause your wax to catch fire.
“Once your wax is completely melted and reaches 106 degrees, be sure to turn your heat down but keep your water warm to maintain your temperature. At his point you may want to add your color and scent. Be sure to use your wooden spoons to stir the wax until the color and scent is well blended.
“Once you have finished with that step. The next stage is dipping. I want each of you to cut off a 13 inch piece of wick. Tie one end of it to the center of the wooden dowel. You will hold onto the dowel as you dip your candle.
“We’ll stop here and get started.” Father Louis instructed.
“So, what color are you going to make, Gus?” asked Charlie as the two gathered up chunks of wax from the slab Father Louis was breaking into pieces.
“I don’t know,” Gus answered indifferently. As he bent down to pick up a sizable chunk of wax, an opened pack of cigarettes fell from his pocket. He quickly snatched it up looking at Father Louis to be sure he had not seen them. He glanced at Charlie who was looking at him with a frown. “Shut it,” he said and headed back to the table.
“I wasn’t gonna say a word,” Charlie retorted, following him. “But since you brought it up,” Charlie lowered his voice to a whisper. “You could be in a lot of trouble if you get caught with those, not to mention what you are doing is not good for you.”
“And I care because?” Gus answered back. “Oh, let me answer that,” he continued in a mocking tone, “because I’m shortening my life? Because I’m hurting not only myself but my family? Look around, Charlie, I don’t have a family. Mind your own business.”
“But you have friends, Gus. Friends who care about you and love you like family,” Charlie pleaded.
“Save it for someone who cares,” Gus snapped and left to fill up his water pitcher in the sink by the door.
“That went well,” Howard leaned over and whispered sarcastically to Charlie.
Charlie glared at Howard for a moment, not sure how to take his comment.
“Give him time.”
“How much time?” Charlie asked. “Summer’s nearly over and he hasn’t bounced back.”
“I know,” Howard agreed.
“I think we should say something to Brother Simon.”
“Not yet,” Howard said. “Let me try one more time to see if I can get through to him.”
“What makes you think you can?” Charlie asked. “None of us have been able to reason with him all summer. It’s like he’s a completely different person.”
“I don’t know, but, I do know involving Brother Simon is not going to work. I think we need to figure out another way. I wish Prior Emmanuel were here. He was the one who helped Gus get through the last time. What a rotten time for him to die.”
Charlie did not say a word. He just dropped another chunk of wax into his melting pot and tried not to think.
“Well, boys,” Father Louis said as he walked around the room inspecting the pots of melting wax as the boys stirred in their colors and scents. “You all seem to be naturals at candle making.” he beamed. “That is very good, Master DeVries. Oh, Master Kaufman, what a superb color. I think it will be your best work this summer.”
“Way to go, Dale,” Howard congratulated.
Dale smiled, slightly embarrassed by the attention.
“You are all doing a wonderful job with your lesson today,” Father Louis addressed the class. “Let me know when you wax reaches 160 degrees. Then we will begin the dipping.”
The rest of the day the boys spent dipping wick after wick into the hot wax. By the end of class, Charlie had made twelve white candles; Howard, ten and Gus, only six.
“Tomorrow we will do some more,” Father Louis announced as the boys retrieved their souvenir candles from the shelf.
Charlie watched as Gus hurried out the door after Kenneth, Dougary and Travis. He frowned and followed with Howard and Dale.
“The wind must be blowing our way,” Charlie said covering his nose and mouth with the sleeve of his surplice.
“Ah, the wonderful scent of field burning,” Howard took in a deep breath and immediately coughed.
The two hurried up the hill to the Abbey. As they cleared the trees, Charlie removed his sleeve from covering his mouth and took a deep breath.
“That’s odd,” he said and looked back toward the candle studio.
“What’s odd?” Howard asked, looking over his shoulder.
“I don’t smell the smoke anymore,” Charlie answered.
“Maybe the fire is out. It’s not all that strange. Come on, let’s see what’s going on with the new dorm building.”
“You go on. I’ll catch up with you after I take Father Cecil on his walk. He wants to walk down to the orchards, past the pig barns.”
“Okay, see you later,” Howard said as he and Dale parted company with Charlie.
Moments later, Charlie emerged through the front door of the Abbey with Father Cecil beside him
“Not too fast,” Father Cecil cautioned as he rest his hand lightly on Charlie’s shoulder. The two walked down the front steps of the Abbey. The puttering sounds of the lawnmowers echoed under the portico above them. The scent of freshly cut grass filled the air, making it smell clean. Father Cecil took a deep breath. “I love summer,” he said, smiling. “Don’t you?”
“I guess,” Charlie answered.
“I felt that,” Father Cecil said.
“What?”
“Your shoulders shrugged when you said that. So, you don’t like summer?”
“It’s not that,” Charlie answered. “Step down one step. It’s just that this has been a really hard summer. You remember I told you about my friend Gus? How his cousins were going to adopt him but at the last minute changed their minds?”
“I remember.”
“Well, he’s still not himself. He’s been hanging out with the new guy, DeVries, in Saint Peter’s dorm and I don’t think he’s a good influence on Gus. Gus has been doing some things he shouldn’t be doing.”
“Like?”
Charlie’s body tensed and he was sure Father Cecil felt it.
“That’s okay, Charlie, you don’t have to tell me and I won’t pry any further. Go on, you were saying how this summer has been hard. Still having trouble over Emmanuel and Stephen?”
“Not as much,” Charlie admitted. “Mainly it’s just Gus I’m worried about now. I don’t want to see him get into trouble and I think that is where he’s headed.”
“Then you need to try to redirect him, or get help from someone who can.”
“Oh no!” Charlie gasped. “Don’t say anything, here he comes now.”
Charlie and Father Cecil stopped just outside the cemetery gate. Gus quickly thrust his hand into the pocket of his cassock and then smoothed out his surplice.
“Hi, Gus,” Charlie greeted as Gus approached them on the narrow path.
“Hi, Charlie,” Gus answered. “So, this is Father Cecil I take it?”
Father Cecil smiled and held out his hand. “Yes, I’m Father Cecil. How did you know?”
“Oh, the dark sunglasses, the white cane,” Gus answered, shaking Father Cecil’s hand, giving it a deliberate jerk..
Charlie glared at Gus who didn’t seem to care.
“Oh yes, I forgot,” Father Cecil smiled. “So, how are you enjoying your summer?”
“It’s okay.”
Father Cecil’s keen hearing detected the indifference in Gus’ tone. “Looking forward to school beginning in a few weeks?”
“If you say so.”
“Oh, ugh, Gus, we were just going for a walk,” Charlie spoke up slightly embarrassed by his friend. “You wanna come with us?”
“No,” Gus said and just then coughed into his hand.
“Sounds bad, you catching a cold?” Father Cecil asked.
“Yeah, maybe it’s one of those summer colds. I think I’ll just go inside. See ya’ later.” Gus did not wait for a reply. He quickly darted off the path and away from Charlie and Father Cecil, heading away from the building.
“Now, I understand why you’re upset,” Father Cecil said once the sound of Gus’ footsteps disappeared.
“What do mean?” Charlie looked over his shoulder at the monk.
“How long has he been smoking?”
“How did you know?”
“They say when you lose one of your senses, the others become stronger to compensate. I could smell the cigarette smoke on his clothes and I could hear it in his cough.”
“Oh, you can’t tell anyone,” Charlie said, panicked. “Gus would be in so much trouble if Brother Simon or Father Mark were to find out.”
“Come on, Charlie, surely you don’t think they are that naïve? If I can smell it on him, they can too.”
“Please, don’t say anything. Let Howard and me find a way to get through to him first. If we can get him to stop then no one needs to know.”
“How long has this been going on?”
“Since the start of summer, I think.”
“And have you talked to him?”
“Yes,” Charlie reluctantly admitted.
Father Cecil shook his head. “The monks here at St. Michael’s don’t look lightly on anything to do with fire, and a upset teenager smoking is right there on the list of potential hazards.”
“Please, Father,” Charlie pleaded. “Give us another chance, please.”
“All right, I won’t say a word, for now,” Father Cecil relented. “But, Charlie, if he doesn’t come around soon, I will have no choice but to say something to Abbot Ambrose.”
“Abbot Ambrose?” Charlie repeated in surprise.
“He’s my superior. Come, let’s continue our walk, shall we?”
“Okay,” Charlie answered. The two continued down the path, passing the cemetery.
They walked in silence. Only the sound of the occasional twig snapping beneath their feet was heard. The path ended when it joined the gravel road. Charlie stopped and looked around curiously. The road from the pig barns came up the hill through the trees and then turned toward the Abbey, but there appeared to be another road, overgrown with weeds and briars, that headed toward the south.
“What is it, Charlie?” Father Cecil asked as he stood resting his hand on Charlie’s shoulder.
“Nothing. Just something I haven’t noticed before,” he answered.
“What is it?”
“It’s an old road, I think.”
“Ah, yes,” Father Cecil said, nodding his head. “I believe that’s the road to Black Butte.”
“Have you ever been out there?” Charlie asked as he continued to peer deeper into the brush.
“It’s been years but, yes.”
“You have? What’s out there?”
“Just the ruins of the old abbey building. Our walk is in the other direction, shall we continue?” Father Cecil gave Charlie’s shoulder a gentle nudge, ending their conversation.
An hour later, Charlie walked into St. Nicholas Dorm.
Howard stuck his head out from behind his open locker door. “Well, you were sure gone a long time,” he said.
Charlie jumped and nearly let out a yell. Once his heart beat returned to normal, he rushed over to Howard.
“We’ve got a problem,” he whispered, taking Howard’s arm and pushing him back to quiet corner by their lockers. “Father Cecil knows about Gus’ smoking.”
“What? How? Did you tell him?” Howard asked, glaring at Charlie.
“I didn’t have to. When we were out walking, we ran into Gus. Father Cecil smelled the cigarette smoke on him.”
“So what?” Howard shrugged indifferently.
“So,” Charlie gasped. “He’s gonna tell Abbot Ambrose if we don’t get Gus to stop and soon.”
Howard’s expression changed instantly to a look of worry. He thought for a moment. “That’s not going to be easy. He’s pretty stubborn these days.”
“Duh!” Charlie retorted. “Got any ideas?”
“Let me think about it. Come on, we best get down to dinner.” Howard gave a sigh and headed for the doors.
The two quickly made their way down the stairs. As they reached the second floor, Charlie noticed Kenneth DeVries standing at the closed fire doors, his hands cupped against the glass windows as he peered in.
“Come away from there, DeVries.” Howard ordered.
Kenneth jumped and spun around.
“What are you doing?” Howard asked indignantly.
“Nothing.” Kenneth answered and ignored Howard’s tone. “What’s down there?”
“The college classrooms and they are off limits to us.” Charlie answered.
“Why?” Kenneth asked.
“Because, if you haven’t noticed,” Howard answered. “We’re not in college.”
“Well aren’t you a little curious?”
“About what? A classroom is a classroom.” Howard answered.
“Hey, Kenneth,” Charlie stepped closer to the new kid. “I was wondering. I’ve noticed that you and Gus are hanging out together. Do you know where he’s getting his cigarettes?”
“Charlie!” Howard snapped, jabbing Charlie in the ribs with his elbow.
Kenneth sneered and then all expression drained from his face. “No. I haven’t a clue.”
Without another word he walked by them and hurried down the stairs.
“Oh that was brilliant,” Howard snapped. “Why don’t you just announce it at dinner tonight.”
“Okay, I get it.” Charlie said as the two started down the stairs.
“What were you thinking? Now he’s gonna tell Dougary and those other morons in St. Paul’s.”
“I was thinking that maybe if DeVries is the one giving him the cigarettes that we could scare him off. If we dry up Gus’ supply then our problem is solved.”
“Nice try but now we have even less time and a bigger problem on our hands. If Father Vicar finds out then Gus is as sure as gone.”
Charlie stopped as they reached one of the visitation rooms on the first floor that had its door open. He covered his nose.
“Smells like they’ve started field burning,” he said as he paused for a moment, looking into the room. The room was filled with a hazy smoke. The curtain bellowed in the faint breeze. “I think they should keep the windows closed.”
“Me too, but come on, we don’t want to be late,” Howard agreed and kept walking.
As they passed by another visitation room with its door open, Charlie glanced in. He noticed the window was open but there was no smoke. He looked over his shoulder toward the first room and then turned back as the bell for dinner rang out.
“This place is going to burn,” he thought to himself.
None of the boys answered. They silently looked at each other which didn’t seem to bother the old priest. He walked over to his desk by the door and began to fumble through the heap of books and papers.
“In way of review, over the last few weeks you have learned how to make rolled candles, stacked candles, use sand to make a mold, use metal and rubber molds—” Father Louis stopped in mid-sentence, his eyes darting from side to side, not focusing on anything, his mouth continuing to form words unspoken.
Charlie grabbed Howard’s arm and nodded in Father Louis’ direction.
“What?” Howard whispered and looked. When Howard noticed the priest’s strange behavior, he stood up. “Father, are you okay?”
Father Louis stopped moving his lips and looked at Howard. “Yes, dear boy, I’m fine. Why do you ask?”
Howard sat down, shaking his head. “Oh, it’s nothing.” He looked at Charlie and shrugged.
“Found it!” Father Louis announced, pulling out a thick, tattered book from the center of the heap. “Oh, before we begin, I have a treat for you. I’ve sorted through the last batch of candles each of you has made,” he continued as he walked back to the head of the table, “and in the boxes over there,” he said, pointing his pinky at the boxes on the shelves, “you will find one of your candles. It is yours to do with as you please. They would make a wonderful gift. In fact, last year my boys all donated their candles to be sold at our Oktoberfest booth.”
Travis raised his hand immediately.
Father Louis looked over the top of his book at him. “Yes, Master Bleckinger?”
Travis stood up. “I’d like to donate my candle,” he announced with a pious smirk.
“Why, that’s very thoughtful of you. Please sit down.” Father Louis said.
Charlie looked at Howard and rolled his eyes.
“Now, our final candle project for the year is the dipped taper candle. For this candle we will be using our tallest, narrow pot. You will begin by cutting up your wax into small pieces. Why is that, Master Kugele?”
Gus jumped and looked up from his notepad. “Ah, so it will melt quicker?”
“That is correct!” Father Louis shouted and smiled. “Next you will bring the water in your boiling pan to a gentle boil. Then place your tall pot with your wax into the water. Remember, I’ve said this all summer, do not use high heat as it could cause your wax to catch fire.
“Once your wax is completely melted and reaches 106 degrees, be sure to turn your heat down but keep your water warm to maintain your temperature. At his point you may want to add your color and scent. Be sure to use your wooden spoons to stir the wax until the color and scent is well blended.
“Once you have finished with that step. The next stage is dipping. I want each of you to cut off a 13 inch piece of wick. Tie one end of it to the center of the wooden dowel. You will hold onto the dowel as you dip your candle.
“We’ll stop here and get started.” Father Louis instructed.
“So, what color are you going to make, Gus?” asked Charlie as the two gathered up chunks of wax from the slab Father Louis was breaking into pieces.
“I don’t know,” Gus answered indifferently. As he bent down to pick up a sizable chunk of wax, an opened pack of cigarettes fell from his pocket. He quickly snatched it up looking at Father Louis to be sure he had not seen them. He glanced at Charlie who was looking at him with a frown. “Shut it,” he said and headed back to the table.
“I wasn’t gonna say a word,” Charlie retorted, following him. “But since you brought it up,” Charlie lowered his voice to a whisper. “You could be in a lot of trouble if you get caught with those, not to mention what you are doing is not good for you.”
“And I care because?” Gus answered back. “Oh, let me answer that,” he continued in a mocking tone, “because I’m shortening my life? Because I’m hurting not only myself but my family? Look around, Charlie, I don’t have a family. Mind your own business.”
“But you have friends, Gus. Friends who care about you and love you like family,” Charlie pleaded.
“Save it for someone who cares,” Gus snapped and left to fill up his water pitcher in the sink by the door.
“That went well,” Howard leaned over and whispered sarcastically to Charlie.
Charlie glared at Howard for a moment, not sure how to take his comment.
“Give him time.”
“How much time?” Charlie asked. “Summer’s nearly over and he hasn’t bounced back.”
“I know,” Howard agreed.
“I think we should say something to Brother Simon.”
“Not yet,” Howard said. “Let me try one more time to see if I can get through to him.”
“What makes you think you can?” Charlie asked. “None of us have been able to reason with him all summer. It’s like he’s a completely different person.”
“I don’t know, but, I do know involving Brother Simon is not going to work. I think we need to figure out another way. I wish Prior Emmanuel were here. He was the one who helped Gus get through the last time. What a rotten time for him to die.”
Charlie did not say a word. He just dropped another chunk of wax into his melting pot and tried not to think.
“Well, boys,” Father Louis said as he walked around the room inspecting the pots of melting wax as the boys stirred in their colors and scents. “You all seem to be naturals at candle making.” he beamed. “That is very good, Master DeVries. Oh, Master Kaufman, what a superb color. I think it will be your best work this summer.”
“Way to go, Dale,” Howard congratulated.
Dale smiled, slightly embarrassed by the attention.
“You are all doing a wonderful job with your lesson today,” Father Louis addressed the class. “Let me know when you wax reaches 160 degrees. Then we will begin the dipping.”
The rest of the day the boys spent dipping wick after wick into the hot wax. By the end of class, Charlie had made twelve white candles; Howard, ten and Gus, only six.
“Tomorrow we will do some more,” Father Louis announced as the boys retrieved their souvenir candles from the shelf.
Charlie watched as Gus hurried out the door after Kenneth, Dougary and Travis. He frowned and followed with Howard and Dale.
“The wind must be blowing our way,” Charlie said covering his nose and mouth with the sleeve of his surplice.
“Ah, the wonderful scent of field burning,” Howard took in a deep breath and immediately coughed.
The two hurried up the hill to the Abbey. As they cleared the trees, Charlie removed his sleeve from covering his mouth and took a deep breath.
“That’s odd,” he said and looked back toward the candle studio.
“What’s odd?” Howard asked, looking over his shoulder.
“I don’t smell the smoke anymore,” Charlie answered.
“Maybe the fire is out. It’s not all that strange. Come on, let’s see what’s going on with the new dorm building.”
“You go on. I’ll catch up with you after I take Father Cecil on his walk. He wants to walk down to the orchards, past the pig barns.”
“Okay, see you later,” Howard said as he and Dale parted company with Charlie.
Moments later, Charlie emerged through the front door of the Abbey with Father Cecil beside him
“Not too fast,” Father Cecil cautioned as he rest his hand lightly on Charlie’s shoulder. The two walked down the front steps of the Abbey. The puttering sounds of the lawnmowers echoed under the portico above them. The scent of freshly cut grass filled the air, making it smell clean. Father Cecil took a deep breath. “I love summer,” he said, smiling. “Don’t you?”
“I guess,” Charlie answered.
“I felt that,” Father Cecil said.
“What?”
“Your shoulders shrugged when you said that. So, you don’t like summer?”
“It’s not that,” Charlie answered. “Step down one step. It’s just that this has been a really hard summer. You remember I told you about my friend Gus? How his cousins were going to adopt him but at the last minute changed their minds?”
“I remember.”
“Well, he’s still not himself. He’s been hanging out with the new guy, DeVries, in Saint Peter’s dorm and I don’t think he’s a good influence on Gus. Gus has been doing some things he shouldn’t be doing.”
“Like?”
Charlie’s body tensed and he was sure Father Cecil felt it.
“That’s okay, Charlie, you don’t have to tell me and I won’t pry any further. Go on, you were saying how this summer has been hard. Still having trouble over Emmanuel and Stephen?”
“Not as much,” Charlie admitted. “Mainly it’s just Gus I’m worried about now. I don’t want to see him get into trouble and I think that is where he’s headed.”
“Then you need to try to redirect him, or get help from someone who can.”
“Oh no!” Charlie gasped. “Don’t say anything, here he comes now.”
Charlie and Father Cecil stopped just outside the cemetery gate. Gus quickly thrust his hand into the pocket of his cassock and then smoothed out his surplice.
“Hi, Gus,” Charlie greeted as Gus approached them on the narrow path.
“Hi, Charlie,” Gus answered. “So, this is Father Cecil I take it?”
Father Cecil smiled and held out his hand. “Yes, I’m Father Cecil. How did you know?”
“Oh, the dark sunglasses, the white cane,” Gus answered, shaking Father Cecil’s hand, giving it a deliberate jerk..
Charlie glared at Gus who didn’t seem to care.
“Oh yes, I forgot,” Father Cecil smiled. “So, how are you enjoying your summer?”
“It’s okay.”
Father Cecil’s keen hearing detected the indifference in Gus’ tone. “Looking forward to school beginning in a few weeks?”
“If you say so.”
“Oh, ugh, Gus, we were just going for a walk,” Charlie spoke up slightly embarrassed by his friend. “You wanna come with us?”
“No,” Gus said and just then coughed into his hand.
“Sounds bad, you catching a cold?” Father Cecil asked.
“Yeah, maybe it’s one of those summer colds. I think I’ll just go inside. See ya’ later.” Gus did not wait for a reply. He quickly darted off the path and away from Charlie and Father Cecil, heading away from the building.
“Now, I understand why you’re upset,” Father Cecil said once the sound of Gus’ footsteps disappeared.
“What do mean?” Charlie looked over his shoulder at the monk.
“How long has he been smoking?”
“How did you know?”
“They say when you lose one of your senses, the others become stronger to compensate. I could smell the cigarette smoke on his clothes and I could hear it in his cough.”
“Oh, you can’t tell anyone,” Charlie said, panicked. “Gus would be in so much trouble if Brother Simon or Father Mark were to find out.”
“Come on, Charlie, surely you don’t think they are that naïve? If I can smell it on him, they can too.”
“Please, don’t say anything. Let Howard and me find a way to get through to him first. If we can get him to stop then no one needs to know.”
“How long has this been going on?”
“Since the start of summer, I think.”
“And have you talked to him?”
“Yes,” Charlie reluctantly admitted.
Father Cecil shook his head. “The monks here at St. Michael’s don’t look lightly on anything to do with fire, and a upset teenager smoking is right there on the list of potential hazards.”
“Please, Father,” Charlie pleaded. “Give us another chance, please.”
“All right, I won’t say a word, for now,” Father Cecil relented. “But, Charlie, if he doesn’t come around soon, I will have no choice but to say something to Abbot Ambrose.”
“Abbot Ambrose?” Charlie repeated in surprise.
“He’s my superior. Come, let’s continue our walk, shall we?”
“Okay,” Charlie answered. The two continued down the path, passing the cemetery.
They walked in silence. Only the sound of the occasional twig snapping beneath their feet was heard. The path ended when it joined the gravel road. Charlie stopped and looked around curiously. The road from the pig barns came up the hill through the trees and then turned toward the Abbey, but there appeared to be another road, overgrown with weeds and briars, that headed toward the south.
“What is it, Charlie?” Father Cecil asked as he stood resting his hand on Charlie’s shoulder.
“Nothing. Just something I haven’t noticed before,” he answered.
“What is it?”
“It’s an old road, I think.”
“Ah, yes,” Father Cecil said, nodding his head. “I believe that’s the road to Black Butte.”
“Have you ever been out there?” Charlie asked as he continued to peer deeper into the brush.
“It’s been years but, yes.”
“You have? What’s out there?”
“Just the ruins of the old abbey building. Our walk is in the other direction, shall we continue?” Father Cecil gave Charlie’s shoulder a gentle nudge, ending their conversation.
An hour later, Charlie walked into St. Nicholas Dorm.
Howard stuck his head out from behind his open locker door. “Well, you were sure gone a long time,” he said.
Charlie jumped and nearly let out a yell. Once his heart beat returned to normal, he rushed over to Howard.
“We’ve got a problem,” he whispered, taking Howard’s arm and pushing him back to quiet corner by their lockers. “Father Cecil knows about Gus’ smoking.”
“What? How? Did you tell him?” Howard asked, glaring at Charlie.
“I didn’t have to. When we were out walking, we ran into Gus. Father Cecil smelled the cigarette smoke on him.”
“So what?” Howard shrugged indifferently.
“So,” Charlie gasped. “He’s gonna tell Abbot Ambrose if we don’t get Gus to stop and soon.”
Howard’s expression changed instantly to a look of worry. He thought for a moment. “That’s not going to be easy. He’s pretty stubborn these days.”
“Duh!” Charlie retorted. “Got any ideas?”
“Let me think about it. Come on, we best get down to dinner.” Howard gave a sigh and headed for the doors.
The two quickly made their way down the stairs. As they reached the second floor, Charlie noticed Kenneth DeVries standing at the closed fire doors, his hands cupped against the glass windows as he peered in.
“Come away from there, DeVries.” Howard ordered.
Kenneth jumped and spun around.
“What are you doing?” Howard asked indignantly.
“Nothing.” Kenneth answered and ignored Howard’s tone. “What’s down there?”
“The college classrooms and they are off limits to us.” Charlie answered.
“Why?” Kenneth asked.
“Because, if you haven’t noticed,” Howard answered. “We’re not in college.”
“Well aren’t you a little curious?”
“About what? A classroom is a classroom.” Howard answered.
“Hey, Kenneth,” Charlie stepped closer to the new kid. “I was wondering. I’ve noticed that you and Gus are hanging out together. Do you know where he’s getting his cigarettes?”
“Charlie!” Howard snapped, jabbing Charlie in the ribs with his elbow.
Kenneth sneered and then all expression drained from his face. “No. I haven’t a clue.”
Without another word he walked by them and hurried down the stairs.
“Oh that was brilliant,” Howard snapped. “Why don’t you just announce it at dinner tonight.”
“Okay, I get it.” Charlie said as the two started down the stairs.
“What were you thinking? Now he’s gonna tell Dougary and those other morons in St. Paul’s.”
“I was thinking that maybe if DeVries is the one giving him the cigarettes that we could scare him off. If we dry up Gus’ supply then our problem is solved.”
“Nice try but now we have even less time and a bigger problem on our hands. If Father Vicar finds out then Gus is as sure as gone.”
Charlie stopped as they reached one of the visitation rooms on the first floor that had its door open. He covered his nose.
“Smells like they’ve started field burning,” he said as he paused for a moment, looking into the room. The room was filled with a hazy smoke. The curtain bellowed in the faint breeze. “I think they should keep the windows closed.”
“Me too, but come on, we don’t want to be late,” Howard agreed and kept walking.
As they passed by another visitation room with its door open, Charlie glanced in. He noticed the window was open but there was no smoke. He looked over his shoulder toward the first room and then turned back as the bell for dinner rang out.
“This place is going to burn,” he thought to himself.
