they were all hooked. Without exception, the boys seemed excited about the possibility of wearing blades of their own.
While Eli demonstrated his new talents, Grant pulled Jonah aside for a private discussion. It was time to begin Leadership Training 101.
“Respecting your subordinates” was the topic.
* * *
The experience at the orphanage reminded Grant of his teen years. It also gave him something else to worry about.
By the time he and Eli returned to their quarters, he knew it was important that they raise the boys and girls in the orphanages in a more structured manner. They were cared for by competent adults and received formal schooling, but the incident with Jonah was a clear indicator that something was missing. The older kids were already leading their groups. It just wasn’t structured, positive leadership. That would need to change.
From his personal experiences as a young boy, Grant knew the groups needed organized activities to keep them occupied. Hanging around their quarters, with no outlet for their energy, was a powder keg waiting for a match. Fortunately, that problem was a bit more manageable. A large stretch of the Fourth Square was currently unoccupied. It would be a perfect place to set up an area where the orphans, and anyone else who felt so inclined, could rollerblade to their heart’s content.
For the second time in less than two hours, Grant’s entry into his home was met by the sight of fresh blue paint. The colorful walls warmed his heart and stoked the feelings he held for his wife.
The walls also gave him another idea.
Paintball.
Why couldn’t they set up a paintball area as well? The open area in the Fourth Square was large enough. That would give the children an outlet for fun while helping them learn teamwork and develop tactical skills.
Grant’s thoughts ran to other activities they could put together with some help from Tane’s R&D team: bicycling, skateboarding, Frisbee, golf. The possibilities were numerous, and all would help the orphans expend energy, increase physical fitness, and foster competition.
There was only one problem.
Who would want to oversee the program? You couldn’t just toss a bunch of kids into such an area without supervision or direction.
Grant put Eli to bed and joined Avery in their bedroom. He flopped tiredly onto the bed and looked at the walls of the small room. Forest green. It was his favorite color and another surprise from Avery. She never stopped.
He looked to where she sat in front of a small mirror. She ran a brush slowly through her hair—it was a part of her nightly pre-bed ritual.
Grant mentioned his idea about setting aside part of the Fourth Square to Avery. She thought it was an excellent idea. He also mentioned the problem of finding someone to manage it, and she surprised him once again.
“I can do it,” she volunteered.
“Really? Do you have time for that?”
“Grant, I don’t know if you’ve noticed,” she teased, “but our little boy is not so little anymore.”
“He’s only five.”
“He will be six soon. And if I know Eli, he will want to spend all his time in the Fourth Square. Especially since he can’t visit Treel any longer. He’s going to need another outlet. I think it’s perfect.”
Grant considered her words and recognized that she was correct, as usual.
“You’re going to need help, hon. We have a lot of kids here.”
“We’ll set up a schedule. Rotate the groups in regularly,” Avery said. The brush flowed through her hair slowly. Grant could tell that her mind was already working on the issues, ironing out wrinkles and solving problems.
“I’ll get Sue to help.”
“Sue?” Grant asked. “Won’t her flight training get in the way?”
Sue was Mouse’s wife and a pilot on one of his top carrier fighter teams. She and Mouse were a team in Violent’s Prison and had stayed together after their formal release. They had been married almost as long as Grant and
While Eli demonstrated his new talents, Grant pulled Jonah aside for a private discussion. It was time to begin Leadership Training 101.
“Respecting your subordinates” was the topic.
* * *
The experience at the orphanage reminded Grant of his teen years. It also gave him something else to worry about.
By the time he and Eli returned to their quarters, he knew it was important that they raise the boys and girls in the orphanages in a more structured manner. They were cared for by competent adults and received formal schooling, but the incident with Jonah was a clear indicator that something was missing. The older kids were already leading their groups. It just wasn’t structured, positive leadership. That would need to change.
From his personal experiences as a young boy, Grant knew the groups needed organized activities to keep them occupied. Hanging around their quarters, with no outlet for their energy, was a powder keg waiting for a match. Fortunately, that problem was a bit more manageable. A large stretch of the Fourth Square was currently unoccupied. It would be a perfect place to set up an area where the orphans, and anyone else who felt so inclined, could rollerblade to their heart’s content.
For the second time in less than two hours, Grant’s entry into his home was met by the sight of fresh blue paint. The colorful walls warmed his heart and stoked the feelings he held for his wife.
The walls also gave him another idea.
Paintball.
Why couldn’t they set up a paintball area as well? The open area in the Fourth Square was large enough. That would give the children an outlet for fun while helping them learn teamwork and develop tactical skills.
Grant’s thoughts ran to other activities they could put together with some help from Tane’s R&D team: bicycling, skateboarding, Frisbee, golf. The possibilities were numerous, and all would help the orphans expend energy, increase physical fitness, and foster competition.
There was only one problem.
Who would want to oversee the program? You couldn’t just toss a bunch of kids into such an area without supervision or direction.
Grant put Eli to bed and joined Avery in their bedroom. He flopped tiredly onto the bed and looked at the walls of the small room. Forest green. It was his favorite color and another surprise from Avery. She never stopped.
He looked to where she sat in front of a small mirror. She ran a brush slowly through her hair—it was a part of her nightly pre-bed ritual.
Grant mentioned his idea about setting aside part of the Fourth Square to Avery. She thought it was an excellent idea. He also mentioned the problem of finding someone to manage it, and she surprised him once again.
“I can do it,” she volunteered.
“Really? Do you have time for that?”
“Grant, I don’t know if you’ve noticed,” she teased, “but our little boy is not so little anymore.”
“He’s only five.”
“He will be six soon. And if I know Eli, he will want to spend all his time in the Fourth Square. Especially since he can’t visit Treel any longer. He’s going to need another outlet. I think it’s perfect.”
Grant considered her words and recognized that she was correct, as usual.
“You’re going to need help, hon. We have a lot of kids here.”
“We’ll set up a schedule. Rotate the groups in regularly,” Avery said. The brush flowed through her hair slowly. Grant could tell that her mind was already working on the issues, ironing out wrinkles and solving problems.
“I’ll get Sue to help.”
“Sue?” Grant asked. “Won’t her flight training get in the way?”
Sue was Mouse’s wife and a pilot on one of his top carrier fighter teams. She and Mouse were a team in Violent’s Prison and had stayed together after their formal release. They had been married almost as long as Grant and
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