Chapter 16: Accepted by Royal Oaks

The following day. At eight in the morning, Hugo's family was having breakfast when his phone began to ring. The caller ID showed an unfamiliar number. Hugo had grown numb to answering calls from unknown numbers lately. They were all responses from companies he had sent his resume to. Without exception, the response was: "Sorry Mr. Reed, you do not meet our company's hiring criteria." Hugo sighed and answered the call. "May I speak with Zackary's father, Zackary Reed?" The person on the other end of the line was extremely polite. "I am. Who is this?" Hugo asked as he served Tina some food. "I'm the assistant principal at Royal Oaks Kindergarten. I'm calling today to inform you that Zackary Reed has been admitted." Hugo paused, his hand holding the chopsticks froze, and he was stunned. It took him a moment to ask in a trembling voice, "Who did you say you are?" "I'm the assistant principal at Royal Oaks Kindergarten." The person replied, still with a friendly and gentle deme