As Frances called the ride service to take her back to her office for her 10 am appointment, she promised herself to discretely ask Jenny Harper a few questions about the completion of her transition into were society within the hospital safe room with the rogue Yvette Smith so she could compare the two accounts.
MEANWHILE, her son Ben Twist was getting ready to leave the family home for the day.
Since it wasn't a school day and he knew he'd be out late tonight and tomorrow night, Ben slept in till 8. After a light breakfast and a shower, he put on some of his nicer clothing and got ready for his lunch date with new girlfriend Kenya Adaeze. With her only having a couple of morning classes on Fridays, she had offered to treat Ben to lunch and show him around the Moon Lake College campus.
Kenya also hoped the visit would help Ben get some idea of what he wanted to do after high school graduation, but knew she couldn't force the issue, only show him some of the potential options available.
Ben locked up the house, got in his car and headed toward his date, not knowing that his friends Nate Anderson and Alex Ramsey were already there on a similar mission.
"Well, the place is bigger than I expected," said Nate, looking around as Alex drove on to the campus grounds. "Acreage wise that is. The buildings look pretty standard for any college."
"Considering Moon Lake's were population, a lot of the student body probably likes to roam and explore at night," observed his boyfriend, while finding a place in a public parking lot near the main Administration building.
"Yeah. I wonder what their were regulations are like, compared to the town's?"
"Only one way to find out stud," replied Alex, as they got out and he locked up the car.
Inside, the college had set up an extra table for visitors today, because they always encouraged the high school students to come check them out when the school was closed and they open, like today.
The lady sitting on the other side of the folding table instantly knew she was dealing with two werewolves, for she was a werepuma herself. "Welcome gentlemen. Always nice to meet fellow weres. I'm Mrs. Johnson. How can I help you?"
"We're high school juniors and—" began Nate.
"Say no more. Have a seat," she said, indicating two of the empty chairs on their side of the table. "These will tell you more about the campus and its facilities in general," Johnson added, handing Nate and Alex each a small information packet. Other than having a small W (for were) in the upper right hand corner, it looked just like all the other packets on the table next to her laptop. "Now then. Let's talk about the future. Where do you see yourselves ten years after high school graduation?"
"Well, I love to cook," began Alex. "So someday, if not employed full time as a chef somewhere, I hope to own a restaurant of my own, but more like the local diner than someplace it takes years just to get on the reservation list."
"I see. Down to earth and practical. I've enjoyed several meals at the diner myself. Nice place," she said. "Moon Lake has a fine culinary program. Couple of our more recent graduates have gone on to work for some pretty prestigious establishments," as Johnson called up some images of new chefs posing at some pretty famous places on her laptop.
"Wow," said Alex, looking at the pictures. "I only know some of those establishments from the Food Network."
"True. Then again, they've only made entry level positions, and you do realize it will take years for them to work their way up."
Alex just nodded his head in agreement.
"Unfortunately, there's no guarantee that any of them will ever be the head chef. Not that I'm trying to discourage you," Mrs. Johnson quickly added. "That's why I said your goals were more down to earth and practical. Yet, regardless of how far you get in the culinary field, have you ever considered also taking some business classes, if not acquiring an actual minor degree in that field as well?"
"No," admitted Alex.
"The higher up you climb, the more you'll need to know, and not just about food. There's ordering supplies, managing your own budget resources as well as that of the business', paying suppliers; not to mention other matters like utilities, employee wages and taxes..."
"I see. I'm good with basic math, and managing algebra okay, but that sounds more difficult," confessed Alex.
"Not once you learn. It's basically still adding, subtracting, multiplication, and division; but on a much larger scale. Making projections weeks and months in advance, among other things, while also keeping track of the actual results and comparing the two as you go. Besides, X doesn't need to be found if it doesn't want to be," added Mrs. Johnson with a wink, which made Alex smile. "Let me get the proper brochures from my supplies," she said, indicating a portable file cabinet behind her. "You can look them over at your leisure, and if you're still here before our open house ends, I can have someone show you around the culinary department if you like. You also get practical, hands on training too, because our second year through graduating culinary students also prepare a lot of the menu in our campus commissary."
"Really?" said Alex in amazement, as Mrs. Johnson searched and handed him the right brochures.
"Now then, where do you see yourself ten years after high school graduation?" she asked Nate.