at the table. As the food was disappearing from the serving dishes and appearing on the plates, Betty commented, “I don’t know if my cooking’s that good or if you guys are just hungry.”
Dave replied, “Both.”
“Yeah, I guess. Ben, you and Cat need to go to town with me so that I can get you two registered for school. Liz, would you be a dear and clean up the kitchen this morning?”
“I suppose.”
Dave said, “Greg needs me to work later. Liz, you can ride into town with me, and we’ll have lunch at the diner. Your mom can stop by the station on the way home and pick you up.”
Liz smiled. “Quality time?”
“You bet.”
After breakfast Betty, Ben, and Cat got into the car and goes into town. Before Dave went out on to the porch to drink another cup of coffee, he asked, “Liz, why don’t you get a cup and join me?”
“I need to get the kitchen cleaned up.”
“A few minutes won’t matter.”
Liz filled her coffee cup then walked out to the porch. “Yeah, guess you’re right… Won’t be long, I’ll be off to school.”
“Hard to believe, seems like yesterday you were just learning to walk.”
Dave and Liz finished their coffee. Dave helped with the dishes. Liz really enjoyed spending time with her dad. He was gone quite a bit when she was younger. She knew he tried his best to spend some with her. Even so, she felt she had missed out.
*****
Betty pulled into the parking lot of the high school. This school was different from any school that Cat had seen before. It wasn’t a very large building. The main entrance was on the north side. To the east were the track and football field. The west side had a baseball diamond. What really impressed her was the sign that told about the wildlife habitat area that was behind the school. It was an area where students could study nature. It even had a small lake. Cat knew she would have to check this out before they went back home. The last line on the sign, she didn’t much care for.
NO HUNTING OR FISHING IN WILDLIFE HABITAT AREA.
Cat said, “Hey, Mom, I’m gonna check out that wildlife area behind the school.”
“All right, don’t take too long. I’ll register your brother first, should take about a half hour.”
Cat walked back to the wildlife habitat area. Trails wound through the trees. Bird feeders and houses were set up throughout the trees. Signs by the feeders explained the type of birds which frequented each type of feeder and what type of feed each species ate. There were even areas with tables and chairs set up. She learned later that some of the science and biology classes are held out here, weather permitting.
The students had done most of the construction work on the habitat. It started out as a project to get the students interested in coming to school. It worked better than expected. Each year something new is added, such as new bird or squirrel feeders. This year’s project would be setting up places for the water fowl to nest. Cat would definitely fit in at this school.
Cat thought she had better head back to the school. As she was walking out of the area, a fat squirrel sitting on a “no hunting” sign started chattering at her.
Cat said, “Yeah, you’re pretty brave knowing I can’t have you for dinner.”
*****
As Betty was filling out the paperwork, Ben looked through the list of classes that were offered. Ben would be a junior this year. His majors were math and computer science. After he filled out his class preferences, he looked at the after-school clubs. The computer gaming club caught his eye. They even designed new games. There was a national contest every year sponsored by computer companies and software giants. The grand prize was a scholarship to a top college. The lesser prizes were new computers and equipment for the school. Ben thought to himself, This school could sure use some new computers. I bet I can help them win some.
Betty asked, “You have your class preferences filled out?”
Ben replied, “Yeah, and also my after-school clubs.”
“I probably don’t have to ask what they are.”
“No, you don’t. Computers one night and gaming another night.”
“Should have known. Your sister back yet?”
“Don’t know, I’ll check.”
“Thank you.”
Cat walked in the door as Ben started out. “Hey, Cat, Mom’s looking for you.”
“Yeah. They have the neatest thing here. The wildlife area is great. Too bad I can’t hunt there. I’m gonna like this place.”
“I think I’ll be able to tolerate it here. There are computer clubs and a video game designer club.”
“You, your computers, and video games…”
“Makes more sense than trying to live 150 years ago,” replied Ben.
“Whatever.”
Betty said, “Come on, Cat, we ain’t got all day. I have filled out your papers. You need to pick out your classes and anything you would like to do after school.”
“All right.”
Betty handed her the form and list of classes and after-school activities to choose from. It was pretty basic. She had to take at least one semester of home economics. Great, she thought, some goofy teacher is gonna try and teach me how to cook. My mom can teach me all I need to know about cooking.
The after-school activities caught Cat’s eye. “Yes, rifle club!” she yelled.
Betty said, “I am so glad that you’re able to control your excitement.”
“No problem, Mom.”
“Let’s get in line to see the counselor. Your dad has absolutely no idea what he is missing out on.”
Betty sat down with Cat. The counselor went over the classes Cat had signed up for. He went on to explain that some after-school activities were held off school grounds, such as the rifle club. An orientation meeting would be held in the gym next Monday at 7:30 pm. School would be starting the following Wednesday.
On the way home after picking up Liz, Cat said, “I think I am going to like this school.”
Betty replied, “Why is that, the wildlife area or the rifle club?”
Cat smiled, “Yes.”
Liz asked, “They have a rifle club?”
“Oh! You wouldn’t believe it, a rifle club and a wildlife habitat area with a pond.”
“Sounds like at least you fit in down here.”
“You
