Growing Up Chase
By Rebel Yell
Part Fourteen (Age 16)
" Do you have any clue what time it was when you returned to this school, Mr. Chase?"
" 2:36 am, Father." Rob replied, turning to face the dean of students, although 'face' was perhaps inaccurate as Rob kept his gaze on the priest's shiny black shoes.
" Since you were aware of the time, and I assume you are aware of the school's curfew policy, I can only conclude that you are willfully acting in defiance of the rules."
" I was…distracted. I lost track of time."
" Yes, Mr. Fitzpatrick was surprisingly forthcoming concerning your whereabouts, Robert." Monsignor commented, holding up a hand to keep Father Kopec from adding a comment. "This is the fourth time in as many weeks that you have been away from this school at times specifically proscribed in the school rules."
" I know."
" If this were the seminary, not a school, you'd be encouraged to reconsider your vocation." Father Kopec usually provided the punishment for the evening, or morning in this case, - and Rob definitely considered the lectures as punishment.
"You're suspending me?"
" For the third time since your arrival? Apparently, suspension has little effect." Monsignor sighed, but shook his head. "Robert, you cannot continue this pattern of behavior. It's destructive to yourself and distracting to your fellow students."
" Are you expelling me?" Rob asked quickly, half hoping for and half dreading the answer he expected.
" No." Monsignor replied quickly, and Rob sighed in acceptance. He wasn't sure how his father would react to his expulsion, but at least then his father would have to react.
" As much as it might be appropriate." Father Kopec again, Rob knew that the younger priest had been pushing for his expulsion for months -- practically since his arrival. Everyone in the school knew. To be fair, Rob had been breaking rules practically since his arrival as well, he didn't really believe Father Kopec simply had it in for him. He just knew that the dean thought he was unsuited to the school's 'rigors' and that he was disruptive and a bad influence on his fellow students.
" In another case, with another student, we would consider that action, yes." Monsignor was always more polite in his criticism than Father Kopec. "However, in your case I think expulsion would only do more harm than good, and suspension would defeat the purpose of encouraging self-reflection and consideration of your actions. Previous suspensions have been spent at your mother's home, have they not?"
" Yes." He didn't dare lie to a priest - even if he'd avoided mentioning that little truth before. His father hadn't sold his mother's house, even paid Johanna to continue cleaning and the like just like Mum still lived there, even though no one did. He'd simply gone home at his suspensions, managed to see Danny and Lizzie and spend his days surfing or simply doing something, anything, that meant he didn't have to think all the time.
" Where there is no adult supervision, conveniently. Somehow I doubt much soul-searching and contemplation was done."
" My father was at a conference." Rob had no idea if that was actually true, but he was certain it was what he'd have been told if he called his father's assistant expecting his father to be interested in his school issues. It would either be a conference, or he was in the middle of some new study or a new article, and couldn't be home. Rowan hadn't been interested in Robert's life - aside from arranging a boarding school after his mother's death - since the divorce. He hadn't been much interested even before the divorce.
" We've arranged a retreat for you, Robert. You leave in an hour, and will return here Monday morning in time for your classes next week. Five days of prayer and contemplation should serve you well. You can make up the coursework on your return, in your detentions." Monsignor continued, and Rob nodded although he personally thought that five days of some retreat would more likely make him crazy. He didn't want to sit around and think about his life. He survived by specifically not thinkingabout it.
" No doubt, a healthy round of Confession would also serve you well, while you are there."
" Where am I going?" Rob ignored Father Kopec's statement, although he knew he was blushing a little. It was true, considering what he'd been doing while he was away from the school. He was fairly sure breaking the sixth commandment meant he needed to go to Confession.
" Up into the Snowy Mountains, it's an outdoor retreat. Well-suited to your active nature, I believe. I hope you will find it more enlightening and enriching than your last experience with a retreat." Monsignor smiled genuinely at him, and Rob managed a similar, if smaller, smile. He loved being outside and active, the amount of time spent quiet and stationary in Mass, other services and private contemplation was the hardest part of seminary school. He wanted to be out playing football or rugby with other boys his age. Whenever they wanted him to contemplate, he always ended up thinking about things he tried to avoid thinking about -- like his mum, and his dad's indifference to his existence. It wasn't the sort of things that made him want to follow all the rules, and wait for his rewards in the next life. It tended more to make him restless and angry.
" You'll be on retreat with fifteen priests between the ages of 35 and 50, hopefully learning to use the outdoors as a means of knowing your place in Creation. And perhaps learning to regulate your behavior according to your place, and to God's strictures." Father Kopec added, and Rob's smile dipped. He hadn't really expected it to be loads of fun, but five days with a bunch of middle-aged priests sounded like definite punishment. He supposed if he had to be punished though, at least it wasn't another essay detailing the manners in which his behavior was inappropriate, and how he intended to moderate those behaviors.
"You may go, Robert. Pack what you will need. Father Kopczick will be in attendance at this retreat -- you will be accompanying him. Please be ready to leave in an hour, and meet Father Kopczick in the entrance hall."
" Yes, Monsignor."
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Author's Note: For Catholics, the Sixth Commandment is "Thou shalt not commit adultery". Apparently, this fact isn't as well known as this cradle-Catholic thought. Mea culpa. Also, for most Catholics (esp. the old-fashioned ones) "adultery" simply means sex outside the bounds of marriage, not that one partner is married and the other is not said spouse. Hope this clears up any confusion about Chase's activities when he's off-campus ;)
