Page 3 of Schooling Little Sage

“I’m curious about something that was added to the notes section of your application, I’m guessing by your father. He said, and I quote, ‘This boy needs someone to whip him into shape and make a man out of him. His head is in the clouds all the time and he can’t sit still for the life of him’.”

Great, five minutes in and Papa’s already ruining it for me.

“I’m not a bad boy, I swear!”

“It’s okay, Sage. I’m not saying you are, but we do have punishments for those who step out of line.”

“No!” I jumped up. “No spankings, please.” My hands immediately went to cover my rear even though that never stopped Papa. “I’ll listen. I’ll be good. I’ll do dishes or-or scrub the toilets. Just no spanking. Please.” Tears fell as I remembered all the times that Papa took a switch to my hiney.

Master Derek came around the desk and hugged me. I was afraid to hug him back and leave my backside unprotected.

“Ssshhh, it’s alright, sweet boy. No spankings. I’ll make note of that in your file.” He pulled a couple of tissues from a box and handed them to me. “Feel better?”

I shook my head. No one ever called me sweet before.

“I’ll get you a bottle of water, go ahead and sit back down.”

I blew my nose and hoped the stupid tears would hurry up and stop.

“Here you go.”

“Th-thank you.”

“I have a feeling your father thought this school was something other than it is. But on the bright side, I believe you’ll learn a lot about yourself here and fit right in.” He was quiet for a few minutes, typing something on his phone before a girl with brown pigtails came in. “Right on time.” She skipped across the room and kissed Master Derek before she sat on his lap. “Sage, this is my wife, Sadie. She works here and goes to school in the Littles’ Wing.”

“I never babysat before.” Sadie giggled when I said that, but I wasn’t sure what was so funny. Maybe she’s always just happy.

“And that, little girl, is your cue to show Sage around. I’ve got a couple of things to work on. Can you get him set up with the new-hire onboarding and security access then show him to his room in the Littles’ Dorms?”

She turned her head to the side like a puppy. Before I could stop myself, I giggled.

“Not the employee apartments, Daddy?”

Why did she call him Daddy when he was her husband?

“No, sweet girl. Daddy made a change.”

Sadie hopped off his lap. “Daddy, you always know what’s best.”

“Smart girl.” He gave her another kiss. “Sage, after Sadie’s done showing you around she’ll bring you back here so we can get you started.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

“No thanks or Sir needed. You can call me Master Derek.”

Sadie took my hand and led me across the lobby and into another office. “Okay, here’s the rules for you to read. I need your fingerprint, that’s how you get into your room and all the other places you’re allowed to go. This card”—she handed me a credit card thingy— “you have to always keep it with you. It’s how you pay for stuff here. Supplies, toiletries, clothes, snacks. We’re a cashless resort. Um, what else.” She tapped a finger to her lip. “Huh, I think that’s it. You’ll like the Littles’ Wing. It’s fun and you get to play and I have friends there I visit sometimes.”

“Where do you live?”

“Daddy and I have our own house ’bout half mile down the road. But sometimes I have sleepovers with my friends where you’ll be staying. All your food is free ’cause you’re an employee.”

Blink-blink.

She giggled. “You’re so silly, Sage. I know we’re gonna be the bestest friends.” She squished my thumb into a weird device then clicked away on her computer. “There, you’re all set up. Well, I pretty much had it all ready to go before you got here. Just needed the deets, and your thumb.” She giggled again. “Come on, I can’t wait to show you around. It’s so nice here. You’re gonna love it.”

Sadie was the first person I ever met with more energy than me. This might turn out to be the best worst day ever.

Chapter Two