Chapter 29

Three of the boys had opted to wear swim caps and goggles just for the heck of it, and a couple of them had brought swim fins, occasionally putting them on for show, especially when there were cameras around. The media was again present on Friday afternoon, and by Sunday, one television station had put together a full-blown piece on Exeter Academy, as well. It was scheduled to be aired late Sunday evening.

In addition, a local Baptist preacher had publicly railed against what he referred to as the immorality of young boys washing cars while immodestly dressed. Charles’ position as the newest and youngest board member made him fair game, and he was interviewed at length about the school and his family’s long association with it. The reporter asked Charles about the Baptist preacher’s statements, and he laughed, telling her that perhaps she should go interview Dean Mangrum at St. Philip’s Cathedral and ask him how he felt about his son participating in the car wash.