The Open House celebrating the end of the fall term at New Horizons Academy was in full swing when Hotch arrived at the school. After following the crowd of parents through the front door of the building, the first thing he encountered was a large poster advertising an upcoming fundraiser. 'Enjoy An Italian Dinner With An Italian Author', it proclaimed in bold letters above an enlarged publicity photo of David Rossi. 'Hear all about his adventures with the FBI as well as all the details about his latest book' the enticement continued under the photo.
"Isn't that wonderful!" the woman standing next to Hotch gushed as he stood staring at the poster. "Apparently, Mr. Rossi's godson attends this school and he volunteered to host this year's fundraiser. Such a generous man - I just can't wait!"
"Yes, that is wonderful," Hotch readily agreed. "I've always heard that he is a very generous person. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to find my son's classroom." He turned and began walking down the hallway.
"Dad!" Jack greeted Hotch excitedly as he walked into the classroom. "You made it!"
"Of course I did, Buddy," Hotch smiled at his son. "Sorry I am a bit late, but I have been trying to get caught up on my paperwork. I know I'm going to be called into court sometime within the next week or so and I want to be prepared."
He looked around the room. "Is Lynn here?" he asked.
"She's around here somewhere," Jack told him. "She's got Lilly and Jacob with her and the last I saw they were with Uncle Dave talking to a bunch of people about the fundraiser."
"Well, I'll find her later," Hotch decided. "Right now, it's all about you. What do you want to show me first?"
The ensuing tour of Jack's classroom included his study corral, along with some projects he had been involved with, and concluded with an introduction to several live animals, who appeared to be permanent residents of the classroom.
"Their owners are monitoring various aspect of their development for their biology projects," Jack explained as Hotch read the labels on the cages. "I started after the semester had begun so I was too late to start a live animal project. Maybe next year?" He looked hopefully at his father.
"We'll have to wait and see, Buddy," Hotch replied. "Particularly, since I suspect that these animals will be going to live with their owners once the experiments have been completed. I'm not sure how Lynn would feel about taking on another resident in the house."
"Jack – There you are!" the woman's voice echoed shrilly across the classroom as Jack winced. "I was afraid I had missed you."
"Hello Aunt Jessica," Jack replied dutifully. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to see you, of course," the woman replied. "And, to see this so-called school that your father and that woman insist that you attend."
Hello, Aaron," she added belatedly.
"Her name is Lynn, Aunt Jessica," Jack said pointedly. "And, I picked this school and I like it here. I can study at my own rate without being held back by some of the slower students."
"That sounds like just what we are looking for," Lisette and Mia walked over joined them. "Hello, Jessica."
"Lisette, how nice to see you," Jessica gushed. "It's been far too long."
"It has been awhile," Lisette agreed. "Now, Jack, why don't you take Mia on a tour of the school and give her an idea of what it is like to go here? I know she has some questions that you can probably answer. And, while you two are doing that, I'll talk to your father and see what he thinks."
"Of course, Aunt Lisette," Jack quickly replied. "Come on, Mia. Let me show you my project in the Basic Survival Skills classroom."
As the two youngsters disappeared out the classroom door, Lisette looked over at Hotch. "Basic Survival Skills?" she questioned.
"Yes," Hotch chuckled. "The school insists that all students, male and female, master certain skills which are necessary for survival in the real world. That includes basic cooking and sewing, as well as how to change a flat tire and check a fuse box to see which circuit has gone into overload. They also have to learn how to create a budget and balance a checkbook. I haven't seen Jack's project yet, but apparently he managed to sew a throw pillow of some sort."
"Common sense as well as academic excellence," Lissette said thoughtfully. "Not a bad combination." She paged through the information packet she was carrying. "Is this information on which colleges their graduates have been accepted at accurate?" she asked holding up a sheet of paper.
"According to Penelope, yes," Hotch replied. "She also checked on the financial stability of the school and, according to her, there is no problem there, either."
"Then this place definitely rates a closer look," Lisette decided. "What else is there to see?"
"Well, I am about to go in search of Rossi," Hotch told her. "Rumor has it he is somewhere in the building drumming up support for the fundraiser he is hosting. If you would care to join me I am sure we can make several stops along the way so you can take a look at some of the other classrooms."
"Great," Lisette replied. "I haven't seen Dave in a while and that should give me an opportunity to meet some of the other parents."
"Well, you won't have to look far for Dave," Jessica sniffed. "It would be hard to get lost in a place as small as this."
"Then, we will leave you to your own devices," Hotch told her. "I'm sure we will see you again later this evening."