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He nodded, the molten heat in his eyes gone and replaced by sweet warmth. "I've asked Principal Wiggins to give you as much information as he can. I'm going to step out of the room for a moment. When you're done talking, I'll take youhome."
"You don't have to. I'm sure I canget–"
The fire returned. "I'll take you home," he repeated. I closed my mouth and nodded,mute.
"Alright then, I'll be out in the front office with Mrs. Donovan." Bellamy stood and strode to the door, opening the wooden panel, stepping through before he let it swing shut, leaving me alone with Principal Wiggins and a hell of a lot of baffledthoughts.
"Harlow." The air conditioner kicked on, cool air blowing into the room. "I think you should consider Mr. Woodstone'soffer."
"I don't know." It was really hard to sit there, stare my principal in the face, and tell himno.
I listened as Principal Wiggins talked about missed opportunities and opening and closing doors, and I continued to nod my head at the appropriate intervals. Minutes tickedby.
"So, please, Harlow. Please give this a shot." Did I really have achoice?
"I don't really think his program is the best fit for me," Isaid.
"This is one of the biggest opportunities you might receive. I promise, Harlow. I've known Mr. Woodstone for many years now. He's a good boy – man." Principal Wiggins smiled. "He's a good man. You'll be in goodhands."
"Can you tell me anything else about the program?" I asked. "I promise I'll consider it, but I need to know whatitis."
Principal Wiggins leaned back in his chair, the wig on his head shifting. "I know that the program is very selective," he replied. "And just because you say yes, doesn't necessarily mean that they'll accept you later on. They'll have you take a test of some sort, I've been told it's different per person. Some take physical tests, some written, and some a combination. They want to make sure that everyone they accept into the program is right for it. The program is tailored to each person and there are teams. I don't know exactly what each team does, but I do know it's significant work." Principal Wiggins nodded his head in thought. "Bellamy has been in the program for a few years now. He used to be such a quiet boy. He's really come out of his shell since he joined. It's done him a world of good." He looked at me. "They won't keep you if you don't want to be there. The agreement is just to keep everything they tell youconfidential."
Somehow, in the midst of his impassioned promises and the dropping temperature in the room, my brain must have frozen over. Because somewhere along the conversation, I felt my mouth opening and my voice saying, "Okay."
"I'll give it a try." Maybe it wouldn't be so bad. Maybe they had people to help my mom. Maybe I could get a better job, take public transportation, and earn enough for a car. Maybe things could be better. I wanted them to bebetter.
"You won't regret this," Principal Wiggins said. I hoped he wasright.
