Chapter 29
Together Again
Dan was wide awake by the time the alarm clock went off at 5 a.m. on Tuesday, September 4, 2001. Personal vehicles weren’t allowed at the Institute, so a limo-bus was scheduled to pick him up around 7:30 at his house in Wildwood. His father was already in the kitchen. Dan could smell the wonderful aroma of Gilchrest County sausage.
“Mornin Dan, gotta send you off right,” Mr. Naidoo said.
This would be his first trip back to the Institute since the tour, but Dan spent so much time on the ORION’s encrypted website it already felt a little like home. He knew his class and work schedules, where he would be living, dining, etc. One thing he didn’t know was who his roommates would be.
Two suitcases were packed and carefully placed at the door along with a laptop. Dan had not talked to any of his friends except Chris in weeks and was wondering if their college plans had changed. He was a little jealous of Steve, Matt, and Brian who would be enjoying traditional college life while he attended something akin to a boarding school. At least he would not be alone. Chris had decided to join Haley at ORION. It also helped when he remembered the whole thing was free.
“The breakfast is delicious!” Dan told his father as he scarfed down three sausages, four eggs, two slices of buttered toast, two glasses of fresh squeezed orange juice, and a large cup of hot coffee.
“I love you son.” Mr. Naidoo said as he started to tear up.
“Please don’t get emotional pop; this is hard enough as it is.”
Dan remembered the day when Becky King asked Ernie, “What are you going to do with yourself when Daniel goes to college?” Dan found himself wishing his father had answered because the prospect of leaving him alone was troubling. Father and son talked and shared old memories for over an hour until the bus driver arrived.
Dan felt a tinge of despair as the driver helped him load the suitcases. This should be a happy day, he thought while waving goodbye. His legs felt heavy as he walked to the limo-bus and climbed the steps.
“Dan!” A chorus of voices called out in unison. It was a parody of the old TV show “Cheers” when the crowd shouted “Norm!” to welcome George Wendt’s character to the bar.
Dan’s four friends were on the bus headed for the ORION Institute. They were all going to the same school just as Chris dreamed and Claude anticipated. This was the biggest shock since lightning struck on their sixteenth birthday. Dan could not have asked for a better beginning to his college experience.
“What are you guys doing here?” he asked.
“Same as you Danny boy. We are going to college.” Chris answered. “We still have to stop in Bayport to pick up Haley.”
“What happened to Duke, North Carolina State and Florida?”
“ORION made us each an offer we couldn’t refuse. Beside, we get to stay together.”
Chris had already explained that he and Haley were going to the Institute because of the research, but Dan didn’t think anything on Earth could convince Steve, Matt, and Brian to change plans. They sounded so excited with their college choices.
“What made you guys choose an obscure little school in the middle of nowhere?” he asked.
“It isn’t that simple,” Steve replied. “J. Alfred Weston visited each of us personally. One of the richest men in the world took the three of us for a ride on his private jet. He promised the school would be state-of-the-art and showed us signed contracts with leading instructors from some of the best schools in the world.”
Matt said, “We’re all a little nervous, but it sounds like an adventure, and it’s free! Mr. Weston has guaranteed we can reenroll as we originally planned, and he’ll pay the tuition if it doesn’t work out!”
“But won’t you guys be giving up some of the fun of traditional college like football games?”
“You haven’t read the fine print have you?” Steve asked with a chuckle. “We aren’t giving up anything. There are tickets to major college football games, field classes on Friday off campus in either Tampa or Orlando, and an incredible culture trip at least once each year.”
“Yea, I read something about the culture trip in the letter from Claude, but didn’t think it applied to me.”
“Who did you think it was for?” Steve asked. “It’s specifically for Haley and whomever she chooses. Chris has it on good authority that means us! At the end of each year, our little troop will take an all-expenses paid trip to places like Australia, Hong Kong, London, Bermuda, Singapore or Hawaii. We will be traveling in style on Mr. Weston’s private jet and staying in the finest hotels!”
“Wow!” Dan said. “Why do we get such special treatment?”
“I don’t know,” Steve answered, “but like I said, we aren’t giving up anything.”
When Haley boarded the bus, the boys shouted “Haley” like they did for Dan. It didn’t sound quite right, but she seemed to appreciate the effort.
The whole day felt like a dream. Haley and the boys were embarking on a great adventure together. Dan thought it was odd that Haley didn’t appear surprised to see Steve, Brian, and Matt on the bus. He thought, it’s like she knew before they decided.