Duncan grimaced.  “Sorry, sometimes I babble.  Albuquerque Academy.  If you are going to a private school, that’s probably where you’ll go.  Pretty tame school.  None of the gang stuff like you get at public schools.  Very low student teacher ratio - so small classes.  You won’t get crammed into a class with 30 plus other students.  More like a third of that.  Fridays are guidance counsellor days, tutoring, or extracurricular days.  It’s not bad.  If you run into any troubles, look me up.  Most of the campus knows me now.  And I hope you aren’t going to Eldorado.  I just transferred from there a year ago.  Public school.  We might be in the district for La Cuerva.  Smaller public school.  And be grateful we are nowhere near Manzano.”

Duncan paused.  He was struggling to keep up the conversation.  He mulled over what to say next.  He had been trying not to pry.  “So … any particular interests?”  There that was neutral enough.  “And … new to the area?  Or just a move across town?”

++++++

Jonathan Miller chuckled.  “You sound a little like Duncan.  We got him his first smartphone a year ago.  He kept ‘missing calls’ and had to call back for a couple weeks.”  The man’s grin broadened.  “He didn’t know how to swipe to answer it.  He finally had to ask someone to show him how to answer his phone.  I still don’t think he knows how to add Apps.

“He hated working on cars before.  That was another effect of his stepfather.  And he hates baseball and really doesn’t care for football even though he is the team captain now.  Only reason he plays is for the team.  His stepfather …”  Jonathan stopped.  Clearly the subject agitated him.  “Let’s just say that the best thing that ever happened to Duncan was being removed from that man’s care.  Duncan is far more forgiving than the man deserved.  Duncan says he just tries to hang onto the good moments.  Apparently the man had a few.”

Masumi arrived about that moment - probably a welcome relief from the serious tone the conversation had taken.  Masumi actually brought the coffee out on a silver tray with a cup of sugar cubes, a selection of artificial sweeteners, and creamers in silver serving containers.  “I’m sorry.  I should have asked your preferences, but I brought a selection.  Hazelnut, caramel macchiato, homemade mint, homemade raspberry, and a cocoa syrup if you prefer a mocha.  Sorry Mr Miller, but Mrs Miller says no.”  Her eyes twinkled a little, but she seemed apologetic.

Jonathan sighed.  “Blood pressure.  It’s not that high.  But she takes no chances.  And for the sake of the household’s harmony, she controls my diet.”  He laughed gently.

Jonathan glanced at Adam’s hands for signs of a marriage.  Seeing none, he offered some words.  “Adam, if you ever find the right lady, a few words of advice.  If she wants to look out for your health, let her.”  His eyes twinkled as he added.  “No matter what the green liquid tastes like.  It’s sort of like the old salt test, where you eat whatever she puts in front of you and no matter how spiced, salted, or burnt, you look at her and say it’s wonderful.”  He paused.  “And unfortunately we have no dog to sneak it to.”

“There is always Duncan,” Masumi suggested.

Jonathan shook his head.  “Tried that already.  Duncan just showed me the helping Isabelle already gave him.”

Jonathan took an herbal tea and thanked Masumi.  “School.  Well, it is like any school these days.  It has lots of rules.  But no gangs.  They are a problem at most of the public schools.  The worst fear is drugs.  We don’t have that fear with Duncan.  He won’t even touch a wine to taste it when we offered.  He was adamant about it.  He made some promise when he was 5.  No smoking, drinking or drugs.  He won’t even touch wine vinegar or wine jelly. He has eaten some quail simmered in wine sauce.  But he is extremely touchy about even that idea.  He even avoids bourbon chicken.

“Albuquerque Academy - I hope you were able to get in and could afford it - is THE best school in the area, probably the state.  But if you want details, you should ask Duncan.  He went there last year.  And he knows a lot of students.  Or at the very least they know him.  Jocks, mathletes, and artistic students alike.  He has friends in every department.”

“You know, I don’t know if you’ve had time to do grocery shopping.  But I am sure I can talk Isabelle into having company over.  If not, there’s a Wal Mart on the south side of the school.  Oh … and if you want to exchange contact information for emergencies, let me know.  Isabelle and I both work some long hours.  It is the very reason we hired Masumi.  Make sure Duncan is watched after when we can’t.”