“Then you have no government funding?” she asked.
Dad shook his head. “Nope. I appreciate what the government does, but I don’t need their money.”
“How noble,” she gushed.
“Plus, I’ve got to admit I don’t like jumping through the hoops that the government can make you do and the paperwork.”
Mrs. Stein put her hand on dad’s shoulder. I thought she was getting a bit too friendly. “Oh I hear you,” she said.
Sasha glared over at us. “Mom. Stop talking to the enemy!”
Elena Stein looked at her daughter. “Sasha, honey, when it comes to science we are all allies!”
“Not today!” Sasha insisted.
Her mom grinned then walked over to help her daughter.
Ruby and Frank started setting up our wind power generator while I put up our posters and laid out our information material.
Timmy and his gang came over as we were setting up.
“You guys need any help?” Timmy asked. “We have our robot doing the set up for us.”
“Really?” Frank asked.
Timmy grinned. “Only kidding...but our display was pretty easy to do.”
“Yeah we’re not big on signs or graphics,” Chris said.
“Or talking with people,” Wayne added.
“Well, I’m sure you guys will do fine,” I really liked all my geeky friends.
Timmy looked at my dad, his jaw dropped open. “Is that Doctor Franklin Thorn? The inventor of nano-bubble memory chips?”
Dad who had been helping Frank to stabilize the windmill heard his name and smiled.
Wow, my dad is a science superstar. Why had I never figured this out before? I always thought of him as just a plain dad. In our house, it's hard not to play second fiddle to Mom. But when out in the “wild” with regular people, well science geeks...Dad really rocks.
“He also invented chewing gum that doesn’t lose its flavor, the 1000 year light bulb and the pet rock,” Chris said.
Walking over to the boys, my dad said, “Yeah, that last one was meant to be a joke, but it made the most money.”
Timmy bowed. “Sir, you are a legend.”
Timmy looked at Frank and me, “I am so ashamed that I never put 2 and 2 together to realize that your father was THE FRANKLIN THORN.”
“Thanks,” Dad smirked.
“Doctor, Sir, will you look at our project?” Chris asked.
“I would be delighted,” Dad said.
“Sir, if you like it, could you write me a recommendation to MIT?” Wayne asked.
Dad smiled and walked off with the boys.
Of course, Sasha and Barb needed to come over and taunt me.
“I bet you think you are so special because your father is a big fancy scientist?” Sasha said in a mocking voice.
“Actually Sasha, I never even thought of that. I just know him as my dorky dad. The man who still cracks himself up by making armpit noises. The man who tells the worst dad jokes. The man who…”
Sasha raised a hand. “Okay, I get it. He’s a nerd.”
“Yeah, but nerd parents can be a big help on a science project like this!” Barb commented in an accusing tone.
“Our dad supervised but didn’t help,” Frank said. “Dad likes to watch us learn. He says we learn more by doing than watching.”
Barb smiled at Frank. “You I believe.”
“Thanks!” Frank said.
Barb turned to Sasha. “I don’t think the big cute dumb one is smart enough to lie to us.”
We heard the school bell ring. Principal Peter’s voice boomed over the loudspeaker. “Contestants prepare for judging. The competition will start in 5 minutes. May the best team win!”
“Break a leg,” Barb said to me.
“That’s only good luck for actors,” I told her.
“I know,” she snickered walking back to her table.
Using my superior vampire vision I checked out the other science teams and their projects. Amazingly enough, the cheerleaders had a project entitled: Gravity the Enemy of Cheer. Even more shockingly Lester and Lewis had an exhibit on how to increase punching speed. The jocks also had a fairly interesting display entitled Physics and Sports - how they go hand and hand. I noticed Jimmy manning their both. I decided to stop by and wish him luck. I didn't think that would be too suspicious since this was a pretty public event.
Walking towards Jimmy’s table I noticed the farm club had a nice display on hydroponic farming. The future doctors club was offering free blood pressure checks. The stamp club had a table that highlighted the future of stamps. I felt pretty confident the top three would come down to our team, Timmy’s team and sadly Barb and Sasha’s team. They had drawn in a lot of spectators. I had to give Sasha kudos for being charismatic.
Just as I was about to reach Jimmy’s table, Principal Peters cut me off. “Ms. Thorn,” he said sternly. “You do understand the competition is now underway?”
“Yes, sir, I do,” I told him.
He pointed to my team's table. “Then I suggest you go and stand with your team. I plan on asking you several questions.”
I nodded and fought back the urge to make him think he was a baby. I gave Jimmy a little wave and a smile. He gave me a wave back. I guess I would have to settle for that for now. Sighing, I went back to my station. I had to admit the principal was right. There were already people at our station asking questions. Ruby was a bit shy. Frank answered but the answer I heard was, “You’d probably be surprised to learn that our wind-powered machine does NOT involve farts!”
I picked up the pace and got to our table quickly. Smiling, I said, “Frank stop joking with everyone. Explain to them how wind power is a great renewable source of energy. Especially in places where they get a lot of wind.”
“And wind is not always caused by beans!” Frank added.
“And with new high tech designs and better battery and storage options, you don't even need a lot of wind to generate energy!” I said. I managed to gradually move across so that I was standing in front of Frank.
“Frank come back with me,” Ruby whispered in his ear. “Please stop talking about farts. This is a Science Fair.”
“Aren’t farts body functions? And aren’t body functions science?” he asked.
“Yes, but not our topic for today,” Ruby said.
“Right,” Frank said nodding. “I'm just nervous and for some reason, I keep thinking about farts. I mean they are science and fun.”
“True, there are actual scientific studies that show smelling farts is good for you!” Ruby added.
“Please don’t encourage him,” I told Ruby.
“Science is science,” Frank said.
I fought back the urge to glare at Ruby. She was the best friend I had ever had. No way I would risk fighting with her over farts. “True, but Frank, let’s concentrate on our project. Non-fart related winds.”
“I agree!” Ruby said.
“Farts even sound funny. The word sounds like what it is…” Frank said.
“Frank!” I shouted.
“Right, no more fart talk, well besides saying no more fart talk.”
Principal Peters, Ms. Mars, and Ms. Anna approached our table.
“Nice presentation,” Ms. Anna said with a smile.
Ms. Mars read our posters and took a snapshot with her phone. “Your science seems sound,” she said.
Principal Peters put his hands on his hips. “Now, let’s see it work!” he ordered.
“Right!” I said, knowing that was my cue to turn on the charm. “Our project here is two-fold to show how wind can be turned into electric power and how that power can be stored and saved for use when needed.”
“Actually to me, that sounds like the same thing, ”Principal Peters said grumpily.
Once again fighting the urge to make the man suck his thumb, I swallowed and said. “Semantics I guess.” I paused then said, “Now it’s time for our demo.” Looking at Frank, “Frank create wind!”
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Giggling, Frank walked over in front of the Windmill inhaled then exhaled on the blades. The blades started spinning. Frank kept blowing.
I pointed to a meter on the battery and said, “As you can see...as my wind source exhales the battery is charging.”
Frank keep blowing and blowing on the blades.
Ms. Mars pointed at Frank. “Better have the boy stop before he faints.”
“Right. Frank, stop!” I said.
Frank stopped and smiled. “Is anybody else seeing stars?” he asked.
Ruby moved next to Frank and helped him sit in a chair.
I went over and flipped the light switch and the light turned on. A bunch of people clapped. Principal Peters didn’t. In fact, he had a frown on his face. “How do we know that battery wasn’t charged to begin with?”
Pointing to the meter I said, “The meter.”
“How do we know it wasn’t rigged?” he asked.
“Principal Peters!” Ms. Mars said. “I know these students; I don’t believe any of them would cheat.”
“Agreed,” Ms. Anna said.
Principal Peters reached into his pocket and pulled out another large battery. He smiled. “In that case, you won't mind charging this battery with your windmill.”
Dad heard what was going on and stepped up. “Sir, I assure you my kids are not cheating.”
“Yes, but you are one of the greatest scientists in the world I am told. How do I know you didn’t make a special battery for them?”
“I consulted with them, but I did none of their work for them. Science is as much about learning as it is doing, and you learn by doing.”
“In that case, you shouldn't mind if I switch the battery.”
I really did not like this man. And the feeling was mutual. “Fine!” I said loudly. Grabbing the battery from his hand, I handed it to Ruby. “Please hook this up.”
Ruby quickly hooked the new battery into our system. “Okay it’s ready to go,” she said.
“One problem though,” she said. “I don't think Frank should be our wind power anymore because he is winded.”
“Good point,” Ms. Anna said.
Principal Peters crossed his arms. “In that case, I will have to downgrade this project.”
Walking to the front of the windmill I said, “No you won’t. I’ll do it.” By now the entire gym was focused on us. I inhaled and exhaled on the blades. The blades started spinning around rapidly, much faster than when Frank blew on them.
“Wow, what a set of lungs,” I heard Timmy say.
Glancing towards Jimmy I saw him smile. That helped calm me down.
Walking over, I pointed to the gauge measuring the charge in the battery. It had really risen. I flipped the switch and turned on the light. The light lit brightly. “Ta-da!” I said.
Everybody except for Sasha and Principal Peters clapped.
“Excellent Job!” Ms. Mars said.
Ms. Anna patted me on the back.
The judges all moved over to Sasha and Barb’s project. “Have you ever wondered about the power of subliminal messaging?” Sasha said in a hypnotic voice.
Ms. Mars and Principal Peters both nodded.
“All the time,” Ms. Mars said.
“Yes, of course, who hasn’t?” Principal Peters said.
“Well, you are all going to be amazed by this award-winning presentation!” Sasha said slowly and surely. The crowd hung on her every word and action.
“Ms. Anna,” I thought. “Please do something before I do.”
Ms. Anna held up a hand. “Sasha stop,” she ordered.
Sasha stopped talking. “Yes?” she said.
“I would like Barb to explain this. Surely, she knows the concept as well as you do,” Ms. Anna said.
Sasha nodded. “She does, but you want me to do it,” Sasha insisted.
“Nope, I want Barb,” Anna said.
“Principal Peters tell her that’s unfair,” Sasha said.
Principal Peters turned to Anna.
Anna told him. “Principal Peters this is within the rules you made for today’s competition.”
Principal Peters lowered his head. “It is…”
Barb stepped forward and began explaining the process and their experiment. Barb knew the material well, but she didn’t have the hypnotic charisma that Sasha did. The result being she lost a lot of the crowd along the way.
Sasha shot me a look.
I shrugged and smirked at her. I felt good knowing Sasha felt so bad.
After a few minutes of consulting with each other, the judges gathered in the middle of the gym. Ms. Anna did the speaking. “The judges this year have actually declared a three-way tie between, Barb and Sasha’s team, Timmy, Chris and Wayne’s team and Ruby, Frank and Nina’s team.”
Some polite applause and oohs and aahs filled the gym. “Now we can either have the crowd decide a winner or we can leave it a three-way tie,” Ms. Anna said.
Timmy stood forward. “I think we should leave it a tie.”
Sasha called out, “Of course he does, his team has all the charisma of a wet rat.”
“I agree with Timmy!” I said. “Science should be about cooperation. Let’s call it a tie!”
“Then it’s settled. It’s a tie!” Ms. Anna said.
Sasha ran up to Principal Peters. “Are you going to let an art teacher decide how this goes?”
Principal Peters nodded. “Yes, yes I am. It's what the crowd wants and I am all for keeping the crowd happy. That's how you keep peace in a school.”
Nina Note: I felt really good about our tie. I was glad for our team. I was glad for Timmy and his team. It was also nice to see that people think so much of my dad. Sometimes I forget that my parents are people too.
I also felt good about not making either Sasha or Principal Peters cluck like chickens or act like a baby. Still wasn’t sure what was up with those two...but one thing was certain, neither of them liked me much.
Oh, the smile from Jimmy felt good.
Chapter 14: Party Time
After the Science Fair, Dad invited all the winning teams over to our house for a party. They all showed up except for Sasha of course, I guessed she was still bitter about the tie.
I actually got a text from Jimmy.
JIMMY: UR dad invited me to your party but I can’t come.
NINA: Why not, if Dad invited you I’m pretty sure he thinks he can protect you from Mom.
JIMMY: It’s my mom, she has a project for me.
NINA: A vampire hunting one? I’m pretty sure there are no other vampires in the area.
JIMMY: Mom says there are other threats. I think she may be crazy, but she is my mom.
NINA: You’d be surprised.
JIMMY: What?
NINA: Just make sure you have your mom’s back.
JIMMY: Always.
NINA: You’re a great guy. C U in school on Monday.
I put my arm around Dad. “You invited Jimmy to our party?”
“Yep,” he said. “The tiger in me knows you like him, a lot. Plus, he likes you, it’s pretty obvious.”
“Yeah, but our moms aren’t fans,” I said.
“That can change,” Dad insisted. “Would you believe at first your mom’s mother and your mom didn’t like me?”
I nodded. “Yeah, I can imagine.”
“Your grandma Jasmine thought I was too geeky. Your mom didn’t like me because she thought I was a rich spoiled brat. Which was about the only thing that your grandma liked about me,” Dad snickered. “But your mom came around. Just give Jimmy some time.”
“And Grandma, did she come around?” I asked.
“She still likes my resources,” Dad said.
The party went pretty smoothly. Everybody, even Barb, loved Dad’s lab. At least the parts of it he would show to the public. Of course, all the girls were all over Frank. Mom served cookies and cake that I think she actually baked. For once, I felt like a normal kid.
Of course, not being a normal ki
d, I still had to keep my guard up. After the party cleared out. I sat between Mika and Anna on the couch. “Sorry I had to vote against you,” Anna said. “But I really thought the boy’s robot was adorable. And I thought they needed a win,” she added.
“No problem,” I said. “Just glad Ms. Mars recognized the hard work we put into our project.”
“She did,” Anna said.
“What’s the deal with Principal Peters?” I asked Anna.
“Nina, the man is a principal,” Aunt Mika said. “But yeah, he is kind of pea-brain.”
“Actually, I think he’s a vampire hunter,” Ms. Anna said. “He just doesn’t know it. Pretty sure he comes from a long line of vampire hunters. He’s cousins with Jimmy’s mom.”
“Well that would explain the hate,” I said.
Ms. Anna nodded. “Yep. He may not even realize he’s doing it.”
“Hence the pea-brain,” I smiled.
There was a knock on the door. I smiled again. This was a happy smile. “It’s Jimmy!” I said far more cheerfully than I had ever said anything before.
I got up and raced to the door.
“Jimmy! I’m so glad you came,” I said.
Suddenly I noticed he had a cut on his forehead and hand. “What happened?” I asked.
Jimmy collapsed in my arms. “Help!” I shouted, never feeling so helpless in my life.
I slowly lowered Jimmy and myself to the ground. Dad and Mom quickly were at my side. Examining Jimmy’s wounds, Dad said, “These aren’t that bad.”
Mom snapped her fingers in front of Jimmy's face. “Come to, boy!”
Jimmy woke up. He looked into my eyes and said, “The park by the pond…Sasha and her mom and my mom. They are fighting something. I don't know what. I decided to come here and get you. I guess one of them got me,” he smiled despite being hurt.
“Don’t worry, you’re going to be okay,” Dad assured him.
“But my mom and the others, they are overmatched by this invisible force. I think Sasha and her mom were trying to control them and it backfired on them.”
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