Chương 10: Book 1 - Chapter 9

When we got home, I poured my books on the dining room table and started studying. Mom noticed that for the first time in weeks I had brought school work home. She didn't say anything, just served us our afternoon snack. Mattie had minimal homework, so as soon as she was done she went to her room to play. After she left, Mom, sat down next to me.

"Tough day today, Johnny?"

"Yeah, it started rough," I said looking up at her.

"Nobody seemed ready for me. The bus driver didn't want to take me to the high school, the main office lady thought I was trying to pull a prank, and I never even made it to Study Hall.

"Fortunately, things improved. Woodworking is very fun, Art bored me out of my mind, Home Ec is turning into a mini culinary school, and Biology is actually going to be Biology/Chemistry/Physics/Organic Chemistry, if I can get the book work done quickly enough to do all the practical labs. I also made two new friends today, Amber, and her brother Clark."

"If it gets too overwhelming, you're welcome to stop. You have your 8th grade diploma, so you could start Summer vacation right now. You wouldn't have to look at another book until high school starts up in the fall."

"I can do this," I told her, not explaining that I had benchmarks and deadlines I had to meet on my path of perfect choices.

"It's not that it's really difficult. I keep waiting for it to get hard, but it hasn't. There's just so much of it.

"I did pass one class already today. Principal Endicott taught me to type, and then I passed the typing final. It took about an hour. At the end, I was up to 100 words a minute."

"That will make school work much easier. Do we need to get a typewriter here at the house for your school work?"

"I don't think so. It might be useful if I want to write a novel, but otherwise I have full access to a typewriter at school. I still don't plan on bringing school work home, other than a book to read. This," I said, gesturing at the pile of books, "is just because I have to hit the ground running full speed on Monday." Friday was so much better. There were no obstructionists in my way. My main office mailbox was empty and I felt like I was getting the routine.

I met my mathematics and home room teacher, Mr Clarkson, when I actually arrived at study hall for the first time. He was a tall, impeccably dressed man. When I entered the room he looked up from his desk and immediately offered a warm smile.

"Ah, John Cook, isn't it? I'm Mr Clarkson. It is a pleasure to finally meet you. I confess, I was worried you might be planning to skip my study hall period all year."

"Good morning, sir. I apologize for the delay, but yesterday morning things didn't go as smooth as today."

"Principal Endicott explained. Perfectly understandable," he replied, nodding.

"Well, I hope you brought your Geometry book today, because I was hoping we could get a proper start on things. Where are you in the textbook?"

"Actually, sir," I began, reaching into my backpack and pulling out a slim stack of papers.

"I stayed up late last night and finished all the coursework for Geometry. I've even completed the practice exams." Mr Clarkson paused, blinking once before a broad, genuinely delighted grin spread across his face.

"Finished it? All of it? That's incredible! You've only been officially enrolled for a single day, and you're already through the material?"

"Yes, sir. I'm ready for the Geometry final whenever you want to administer it." He chuckled, shaking his head.

"My goodness. I thought I might get to teach you for a full week! This is fantastic news, John. Simply fantastic. We can do that final immediately. What a great way to start!" I settled into the desk in the back corner. I knew it was mine because it had a sign hanging off it saying: 'Reserved for John Cook.'

"I'll be your test proctor for Geometry and all the other self study classes. I'll also be available during each study hall to answer questions about any self study classes you take.

"Other than your Math classes, those test will be graded by the teacher for that class, so there will be a delay in finding out your score." He held up the Geometry test.

"For this, I'll be scoring it as soon as you finish, so we'll have the results right away. Are you ready for the test?"

"I am. I'm also ready for the Physical Sciences exam afterwards." He got another big grin.

"I'll make sure that's ready then," he said setting the test on my desk.

"It's time limited to the full first period. So, you have until the bell. But, I've been told you are a bit faster than most."

"I do tend to be faster, sir."

"Excellent. You may begin." I dug into the test finding it simple. It was only twenty minutes into the forty five minute first period when I announced, "I'm done. Should I bring you the test?"

"No, I'll be right there. Plenty of time for the Physical Science exam." He took the exam to grade, and left me the Physical Science test.

"This one is an open book test if you need it."

"I read the book, sir. I won't need it again."

"Very good, you may begin," he said glancing at the clock. There hadn't been any formal coursework beyond reading the very big school book for the class. It was a big exam, actually two exams in one. The first was on the periodic table, involving filling in a blank table with every element's name, number, and symbol. The second part was a test over everything in the book.

"I'm done." I announced placing my pencil down. He looked a the clock and shook his head.

"That was even faster. So, you've now completed two classes in two days of highschool."

"Actually three. Mr Endicott took me to the typing classroom for the end of second period yesterday, and I took the final."

"Simply astounding. Do you have work to do now, or are you ready for another test?" Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. I pulled the biology book out of my bag.

"I need to study. I have to be ready for Monday in Biology when the practical coursework starts."

"I'll be quiet so you can work. Leave your Physical Science and Geometry text books with me. I'll see them returned, and have your replacement books available Monday."

"Thank you, sir." When second period ended I stood from my desk and stretched. I was very ready to do something other than study Biology.

"Mr Cook, congratulations. You have passed Geometry. I looked over your Physical Science test, and I believe you passed there as well, but you'll have to wait for that teacher to confirm."

"Thank you, sir. I'm off to my favorite class now."

"Home Ec? Where you must eat your mistakes?" he asked playfully. I smiled.

"Home Ec, where you eat your successes!" I was truly looking forward to Home Ec when the double study hall period ended. I walked into the home economics kitchen, and breathed deeply the smell of disinfectant and spices. Ms Double was waiting with a bright smile.

"Welcome, John! I knew you'd be punctual. I hope you're ready for some fun today. We are going to make hamburgers and double cooked French fries."

"That sounds wonderful, Ms Double," I replied, pulling out a notebook for making detailed records of my training.

"I'm ready to follow any procedure you set out." She beamed.

"That's exactly what I like to hear. In this kitchen, we are meticulous. A proper chef always begins with mise en place—everything in its place. That means organizing our work space and gathering every single tool before we touch the ingredients." She led me to a counter near the storage drawers.

"First, the tools. We'll need a cutting board, your chef's knife, a paring knife, a vegetable peeler, a bowl for the sliced toppings, a bowl for the prepped meat, a scraper, and our heavy duty fry slicer. Go ahead and retrieve and stage those items now. Remember, one knife at a time." I carefully followed her instructions, retrieving the implements, focusing especially on the knife rules she had drilled into me the previous day.

"Excellent," she praised.

"Now that we have the proper tools, we move on to the ingredients. We're using a special blend of 50/50 chuck and sirloin for our burgers. And here are our accompaniments: onions, tomatoes, pickles, and cheese." I picked up the basket and retrieved the items from the big fridge against the far wall. With a bit of a strain I lifted the full basket to set it on the table top.

"Very good, John. Now that we have our ingredients, let's practice the proper technique. Flat on the board with the tomato, roll your knuckles forward. That's how you get a clean slice, and we never waste a good tomato! Same for the onion and the cheese." I followed her lead, the knife feeling balanced and natural in my hand.

"I notice we've prepared quite a few extra slices. Are these for today's lunch, ma'am?" She responded from the sink as she washed her hands.

"No, dear. These extras are for a different purpose. We're going to put our skills to work and turn them into cubes. The cafeteria staff is always thankful when we can send them pre diced items for their salad bar. You'll learn dicing now." I picked up the knife, ready to begin dicing the overflow vegetables, and asked, "I've heard you have a big role here, Ms Double. Are you in charge of the high school kitchen?"

"That's a very sweet thought, John, but no, I'm not directly in charge of the cafeteria kitchen," she replied, demonstrating a perfect dice on a cucumber.

"I'm the district nutritionist. My background is in culinary arts and I have an education minor. I oversee the entire food program—all three schools, plus the kindergarten—to make sure everyone, from the littlest ones to you high schoolers, is getting fed properly."

"So you're the head of the whole operation?"

"You could say that. Now, watch your grip on the knife. We want consistent cubes, not a mess." After we finished the meticulous dicing, we moved on to the potatoes.

"Next, the French fries," Ms Double announced.

"This is the best way to get perfect fries. First, safety. Watch my grip as I peel these and then slice them by hand." Once the potatoes were sliced into thick rounds, she brought out the tool.

"Now for speed and uniformity," she said, setting up the equipment.

"This is our fry slicer. Press the potato through firmly. Uniformity, John, is the first key to double cooked fries. If they are all the same size, they cook evenly." She explained the theory as we worked the slicer.

"The secret to the best French fries is the double cook, using two different temperatures. The first cook is at a lower temperature, to get the inside soft and creamy. The second cook is at a high temperature, to get the outside crisp and golden." The delicious aroma began to fill the kitchen as the fries went into the first bath of oil. We assembled our burger and fries, just as the bell rang for lunch. I was about to start eating, when she asked, "Do you like blue cheese?"

"I like blue cheese dressing, but I've never had blue cheese," I told her. She went to the fridge and pulled out a small package, flipped her completed burger upside down, removed the bottom, and added some crumbles. I replicated her action and took a bite.

"Ms Double," I breathed, savoring the bite.

"That is absolutely divine. I've honestly never had a better burger or better French fries. I am in love with your food, every savory, tangy, sweet bite!" She paused for a moment, a slight blush was wiped away with a radiant smile.

"That John, is why you are taking this class. You'll see the work going into it and appreciate it even when others cook for you. You'll also have the skills to never settle for mediocre food." I spent a few minutes lost in the flavors. Then I thought of something.

"Ms Double," I asked, "we spent extra time to cube the meat, why not just toss the chunks into the food processor? Wouldn't that save time?" She tisked.

"That is a very good question, John, and I'm glad you asked. We are responsible for the tools we use. If we put in large, uneven chunks, we force the motor to work harder, which wears down the gears and risks burning it out. When you cube it first, it ensures a uniform blend. Our budget each year is minimal. We have to use each tool so it will last."

"Ah, I see. Preventative maintenance through proper preparation before use. I can see that being applied in many places." She nodded seriously then smiled brightly.

"There are so many stories circulating around the school about you, John."

"Only good things, I hope?" I asked as I wiped my mouth with a napkin.

"Oh, yes. The teachers are particularly excited to have a student who wants to learn. They especially like that so far no one has needed to tell you something twice!"

"I am here to learn," I admitted with a big grin, "and I really appreciate how everybody's working to help me get my diploma."

"Well, I've heard some students talking about you too. Someone was asking yesterday if there was a new midget at the school."

"That's so funny," I said dryly, to show it wasn't funny.

"What's really funny is the rumor that you are a midget NARC planted by the police." I laughed.

"Any other juicy rumors I should be aware of?"

"Amber's telling everyone you are a genius, who skipped a bunch of grades. There's a similar rumor that you were homeschooled, and this is the first time you've ever been in a real school."

"What about you? Anything you want to know about me, the mysterious NARC midget homeschooler?" She laughed.

"I would like to know about that old battle axe, Ms Balfour."

"There's not much to say. Principal Endicott came in as she threatened me during a full tirade and accused me of lying to her about why I was there with my new student ID."

"Well she certainly won't be missed. They've been encouraging her to retire since I started here a few years ago." As we finished the last of the french fries, I sighed and said, "Thank you for an amazing meal."

"You are welcome, but you did make it yourself," she countered with a smile. I chuckled.

"I can't tell my Mom how good it is, or she'll have me making dinner for the family."

"It's the little things, like using 50/50 chuck and sirloin," she said.

"But chopping it into cubes, then putting it in the food processor? I've never seen Julia Child do that."

"I try to be a bit more modern than that," she replied with a playful smirk.

"That process is just us building on repeatable techniques. Monday's meatloaf starts out just the same, so we are just reinforcing the lesson. For your homework, John: watch less Julia Child on TV."