Mr. Tage picked up the phone in his study.

“You have it?” Mr. Tage said.

“I do, but what about my payment?”

“You shall have it . . . but I require one other favor. Are you up to the task?”

“It depends. What is it?”

“The Mason Foundation needs a lesson in manners. That . . . girl cost me a lot of money. Do you think you can handle it?” Mr. Tage asked.

“Consider it done.”

“Excellent. I’ve thrown in a bonus for you,” Mr. Tage said.

“What bonus?”

“Permanent custody of your son, Ralphie. I know the judge who will preside over your upcoming hearing. Let’s just say that he is very sympathetic to having Ralphie move to Florida,” Mr. Tage said.

“Excellent!”

Five months later

Nigel stood in the line with Jet and Milo. A sea of blue was ahead of them, and the sun was out. He didn’t mind waiting a moment longer.

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The moment is here. In a few minutes, I will be a free man!

An old man stood at a podium and spoke his name. Nigel felt his heart skip a beat as he walked to the podium to claim the fruits of his labors: his high school diploma. He waited on the other side of the stage for Jet and Milo to join him.

I’m glad my artificial throat is gone, Nigel thought.

“What are you going to do now that you’re out of school, Nige?” Milo said.

“I dunno. I think the Mason Foundation is hiring. They need good programming help to undo a lot of the bad things that Jeremiah implemented,” Nigel said. “What about you guys?”

“I will help my dad open a radio repair shop. He said I can go to college after the business is up and running,” Milo said.

Nigel looked at Jet. “Any plans?”

Jet blushed as she looked at Nigel.

“Come on, just kiss already,” Milo teased.

“I’m not sure what I will do,” Jet said. “My dad wants me to work with him. He got me an internship at his new job in Newport. But I may do something else.”

“Like what?” Nigel asked.

“I’m thinking of going to work for the Mason Foundation, too. I hear they need good security people.” Jet winked.

“It might be nice to take a break from school, and do something . . . meaningful,” Nigel said.

“Where is the foundation located?” Milo asked.

“Somewhere in Europe—Edinburgh,” Jet said.

“I’ve always wanted to go to Scotland,” Nigel said.

“Where’s Cassidy? I think she’s been avoiding me,” Jet said.

“She has lost her focus since the incident with the Collective. She hasn’t come out of her room in months.”

Jet gave Milo a sympathetic look.

“Is there anything we can do to help?” Nigel said.

“Not sure, but you can try,” Milo said.

“Well, tell her to call me. Anytime!” Jet said.

“Nigel—over here!”

Nigel followed the voice. It was his mother, sitting in her wheelchair. John Appleton and Ralphie stood behind her. The teens embraced in a group hug. Jet kissed Nigel then said “go be with your family, we will catch up later.”

“I’m hungry! Let’s go to dinner already,” Ralphie said.

Nigel turned to wave at his friends.

It is good to have people who care for me, he thought.