Ambush

Chapter 77

I entered the Holy Name school through the main door and quickly found Sister Agnes in her office. She was busy grading tests at a comfortable-looking desk while balancing herself on a blue yoga ball.

The NYPD had tried various chairs and desks in an effort to stop some of the back problems and health issues related to sedentary jobs, but I didn’t care for stand-up desks. Then again, my job involved a lot of activity — maybe too much.

Sister Agnes was dressed casually by nuns’ standards, in a simple black shirt and skirt. She was a young-looking forty and taught advanced math classes. She also coached the girls’ basketball team.

She was tougher than any cop I had ever met. Her brown eyes could make you wilt if you were in the wrong. She’d turned that look on me a couple of times over the years, the first time after I suggested a little less homework and a little more recess. More recently, there was a string of three days in a row with a late arrival by our entire family. I thought accepting full responsibility would save me. Instead she set those eyes on me and said, “Now I can tell how much influence Father Seamus has had on your life. We’ll see if we can fix that. Once a student at Holy Name, always a student.”

Now she glanced up from her tests when I stood in the doorway and simply said, “Ah, Mr. Bennett. I thought my little note on Trent’s algebra test might bring you in quickly for a chat.”

“You could have just asked me to come in for a parent conference.”

“Based on the way you sometimes sneak the kids in when they’re tardy, and based on the behavior of your grandfather, I thought it was best to use a little subterfuge. Call it a fun game on my part.”

I liked her.

She motioned me to the seat, then twisted on her ball so she was sitting up straight. I could see the muscles in her forearm and wondered how much she could bench-press.

She said, “I was hoping to talk to you about moving Trent forward quite quickly in some of the math classes. I also was wondering if perhaps we could pair him with Eddie in a special computer class we’re going to put together with Columbia University.”

I just stared at her as if I didn’t understand. Truthfully, the information and request were a little overwhelming. She wanted my boys to take a class with Columbia students? They were just little boys in my eyes.

Somehow I managed to mumble, “Yes, of course. Whatever you think is best.” After a moment, it all sank in, and I said, “I don’t think I realized Trent was so good with computers.”

“Eddie is clearly a whiz with anything related to Windows-based and Linux-based computers. We feel our computer lab is no longer sufficient to support his interests. But it’s Trent’s mathematical ability that we think this computer class could really enhance. Often we find that an ability to work with computers is tied directly to mathematical comprehension.”

“That all sounds great. What can I do to help?”

“There may be some financial issues and costs, but nothing too extreme. If you need any kind of financial assistance, we feel this is important enough for the Church to provide it.”

“Thank you. I think I’ll be able to come up with whatever we need. Is there anything else I could do to help?”

She hesitated. That was unusual for Sister Agnes. Finally she said, “Perhaps it would be best if your grandfather didn’t know exactly what was going on. Sometimes he tends to get overinvolved in your children’s studies. I don’t think he would ever admit that he may not be up-to-date on the latest technology. And I know he’d be afraid we’re pushing the boys too quickly. Sometimes I think he would have each of your children held back just so he could see them every day here at school.”

I smiled because it was true. I also smiled because apparently Trent wasn’t the only one hiding his abilities.

Sister Agnes was much more astute and understood the subtleties of family relationships better than I had ever imagined.

I said, “I’ll talk to Seamus.”