Chapter 61
“The full five tests take seven hours,” Kane explained. “Garou Academy has an arrangement with the City Board of Education that allows us to give the tests, but you have to take them under the supervision of the Academy, at the Academy. You don’t have to take all five tests in one day, but let’s see how you do. I’ve looked up the requirements for admission to Juilliard. If you are applying with a TASC, you’ll also need to take the SATs to demonstrate you’re ready for college level work. Once you are ready, I can administer the tests at Garou.”
“There is also an audition. Alexei says he’ll get me a vocal coach and a piano teacher.” Excitement fluttered in Donal’s stomach. His new life was suddenly becoming real to him as opposed to an unattainable dream.
“Well, there’s no time like the present.” Kane took out the practice tests. “We’ll start with the English and Composition. That is probably where you have the strongest skills, and then we’ll work from there.”
* * * *
Alexei’s townhouse, family dining room
Sunday, noon
“I’ve graded the sample tests for English and Composition,” Kane told Donal as they took the elevator upstairs to join their Mates. “You earned high marks. You’re good at composition, and you know your punctuation, spelling, and grammar. You got almost a perfect score and finished the test in a quarter of the time it normally takes. After lunch we’ll try the math.”
Donal and Kane joined Alexei, Gabriel, and the Betas in the formal dining room for lunch. Katya served a hearty meal of fried chicken with cream gravy served over garlic-mashed potatoes with crispy bread and butter, and coleslaw. It was a good thing she made a lot, because Donal had four helpings of two pieces each.
“What did you have my mouse doing that he’s so hungry?” Alexei asked good-naturedly.
“He took the sample TASC tests in English and Composition this morning and got almost a perfect score on each,” Kane told Alexei, proud of his friend.
“What is TASC? I thought he needed to take GED tests,” Gabriel asked Kane.
“TASC is the new high school equivalency test in New York State. It replaced the GED last year. This afternoon we’re going to try the math. If he finishes in time, we’ll try the science and social studies. He finished the first two tests in record time, but I’m afraid the last three may require tutoring.” Kane frowned. “I can tutor him in math and social studies…”
“I can help with the science,” Alexei said. “Give me a copy of the test, and I’ll devise a curriculum. Artis is coming at four to give both Donal and me a physical to clear us to work. If I’m not yet in prime condition, I can’t work. If that’s the case, I’ll teach Donal science. I have degrees in biology, chemistry, geology, and physics so I think we have all bases covered.”
“Donal, are you ready to tackle math and social studies?” Kane asked.
“Bombs away…” Donal excused himself and ran downstairs.
Kane burst out laughing and turned to Alexei. “He really wants this. He feels inadequate because he didn’t finish school or go to college.”
“He’ll get everything he needs to be successful. I want him to be happy and most of all to feel good about himself and put his past behind him. I suppose that means that both of us should see Eugene.”
Kane said gently, “It probably does. I’ve got to go downstairs or he’ll start without me.” Kane smiled and left the table.
* * * *
Donal did better than expected on the math but poorly on the social studies.
Kane went over the tests with Donal. “The social studies we can remedy by having you read the textbooks and do the exercises. Since you have a photographic memory, it will be easy once you start, but you’re going to need a math tutor. You learn math by memorization and by repetition until you start algebra and then it’s problem solving and formulas. You’ll need Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry and Calculus.”
“I’ll never get into Juilliard,” Donal wailed.
“Normally that type of program takes four years, however, with the infusion of Alexei’s seed, you will become stronger, faster, and smarter which is one of the reasons you’ll burn more fuel. So I expect you’ll be ready to take the test if you buckle down in about three months. After the program I intend to put you on, the SATs will be a breeze, and you can take them almost immediately after the TASC.”
“You have no idea how grateful I am for your help.” Donal sniffled.