Testing, testing
Part 2
Elizabeth wakes from her nap. "You aren't eloping again are you?" she asks
Nancy.
"No not eloping." She says with enthusiasm.
"Then what?" she asks as she sneezes.
"I get to do some modeling in LA starting next Monday."
"Cool, how did Noah react?"
"I haven't had a chance to tell him yet. Haven't had a chance to tell
Dad and Abby yet."
"Wow, I'm going to miss you."
"I'll miss you too."
"So how long will you be gone?"
"It's only for one week."
"What about Joannies charity show?"
"When is it?"
She shrugs.
"Is she home?"
"I don't know."
She sighs. "I'll be back." She checks the house for Joannie.
Joannie is in her room, working on her skit for the charity show.
Nancy knocks on her bedroom door.
"Come in."
She walks in. "Hey Joannie, you got a minute?"
"Wait. First, watch this." She does a little of her pantomime. "What do you
think?"
Nancy laughs. "It's good." She sobers a bit. "But it needs
something."
"I know. Got any suggestions?"
"Not off hand but I can think about it for a day or so."
"I've got the time."
"Cool, so when is the show?"
"Next Saturday night, remember?"
"I do now." She says. ~I'd better call Brad and see if he can postpone the
shoot.~
"Good. You and Tommy ready?"
"We will be by next Saturday."
"Great. Those kids really could use a good show, and the center needs the
money."
"Yes they do, and I'll be there for sure."
"Wish David felt the way you do."
"He still hasn't come around?"
"David 'Egotistical' Bradford? Ha."
Nancy shakes her head. "Jerk is more like it."
"You said it. Anyway, what'd you come by for?"
"To see when the show is. Brad wanted me in LA to do a photo shoot
but I'm going to see if he'll postpone it till the Monday after the show."
"That's a good idea."
"Thanks it's the only one that will work."
"I'm sure he'll do it. Brad seems like a good guy."
"He is, but I'd better call him before he makes arrangements."
"Another good idea."
"I'll be back in a bit." She says and goes to call Brad.
"Hello." Brad says.
"Hi Brad, I have a problem."
"Oh no, what?"
She tells him about the charity show. "I'm sorry I had forgotten the
date. Is there anyway we can postpone the shoot till the following
Monday?"
Brad sighs. "I guess we'll have to if its the only way, but it'll cost me
money."
"I'm sorry Brad."
"So how much should I donate?"
She laughs. "How much can you donate?"
"Do you think $1000.00 will be sufficient?"
"I think that will be very sufficient."
"I'll have a messenger send a check over. See you Monday."
"Thanks Brad, you mean a week from Monday right?"
"Yes Nancy."
"Just checking, hey is there anyway you can make the show?"
"Sorry, I can't. I have a important date."
"It's ok, well I better let you go. Again Brad thank you."
After hanging up with Brad Nancy returns to Joannie's room. "We got
our first donation."
"We did?"
"Yeah, Brad's sending a check for 1000."
"A thousand? Dollars?"
She nods.
"That's some contribution."
"Yeah it is, he's a real nice guy."
"Yeah, really."
"And he let me postpone the shoot now I just have to convince Dad and Abby
that it's a good idea."
"Good luck with that."
"Brad's promised to have a tutor for me."
"That should help."
"Yeah."
"So when are you going to talk to them?"
"Right now I guess." She leaves the room.
"Good luck!"
"Thank you." She goes looking for Tom and Abby.
Tom is in the study.
"Hey Dad can we talk?"
"Sure, have a seat."
She sits down. "Dad, Brad found a way that both my modeling and
school can work."
"Huh? You going back to modeling?"
"Yeah, but I told him only if he gets me a tutor and he agreed to it."
"Is that what you want? I mean yesterday you were all set to marry
Noah."
"That was yesterday." She says but then sees the look on his face. "Just
joking Dad. Yes it's what I want. There's a photo shoot
in LA on the Monday after the charity show. It lasts a week."
"Ok, if its what you want but I'll need to discuss it with Abby first OK?"
"Ok."
"Have you told Noah yet?"
"No not yet I haven't had the chance to."
"Don't you think you better? After all he is your fiance'" Tom reminds her.
"Yeah I'll go tell him now." Nancy says feeling like she's been playing musical
rooms since getting home. "See ya Dad." She goes over to Noah's to tell him.
After talking to Noah, Nancy comes home and takes Sam out to do his business
and also play with him a little and wonders if her Dad has told Abby about
the modeling job yet.
Tom goes into the kitchen 'Hi Abby."
"Hi, yourself."
"I had an interesting talk with Nancy." He tells her about it.
"Are you sure that's all there is to it, her just wanting to work and get
tutored?"
Tom shrugs. "I don't even thinks she knows."
"She's making a lot of changes, very suddenly, or at least trying to."
"That's what got me worried."
"Well, I suppose a week in LA and tutoring is better than getting married."
"Yeah."
"And her grades could certainly benefit."
Tom smiles. "Yeah."
"And when she comes back we can have a nice long talk with her."
"Good idea."
"And it gives us time to figure out what we want to tell her."
"I've ran out of ideas."
"Well, you have over a week to run back into some."
Tom nods.
Abby pats his shoulder.
"Is there anything around here I'm allowed to eat?"
"The soup should be done."
"Good, I am hungry."
"Sit down; I'll bring you a bowl."
"Thank you."
Abby ladles out two bowls of soup and brings them and spoons to the table.
"Hmm. This is good." Tom states. "How is Elizabeth?"
"I haven't seen her all day. She's resting, I guess."
"Good."
Abby nods. "I'm all for resting."
Tom smiles. "Me too."
"I love watching you sleep."
"You must be lacking in entertainment."
"Around this zoo?" Abby scoffs.
"Yes around this zoo."
"As long as you're around I'm never lacking for entertainment."
Tom takes her hand and squeezes it.
Abby gives Tom's hand a kiss.
"Any word about Tommy's test?"
"The professor called; he said he'd probably have the results by 5."
Tom nods
Nancy and Sam come in from outside. "Hi."
"Hi." Tom says.
"Hi. Want some soup?"
"Sure."
Abby gets up and brings her some.
"Thanks Abby." She sits down and starts eating. "Did you two talk?"
Tom nods. "Have a good time."
She smiles and hugs both of them. "You won't regret this I promise."
"If you need anything while you there, give us a call."
"I will."
"And when you get back the three of us can sit down and you can tell us how
it all went," Abby adds.
"Ok." She agrees.
"Good." She finishes eating her soup. "I'm going to call Brad." She
says and leaves the room to call him.
"Hello." Brad says.
"They said yes." She tells him.
"Good." he says.
Joannie walks in as Nancy is talking on the phone. "Aw, Nance, hurry up.
I need the phone."
Nancy covers the receiver. "It'll only take a minute."
"OK." Joannie sits on the steps to wait.
"My sentiments exactly," Nancy says to Brad.
"Then we'll see you in a week."
"Ok, see you then." She says before hanging up. "It's all yours," Nancy says
to Joannie.
"Thanks. This show is going to drive me crazy. You and Tommy practice any
more?"
"As soon as I find him."
"OK." The phone rings. "Oh, great. It must be for Elizabeth." She answers
the phone and then covers the receiver. "Dad or Abby around?"
"Yeah they're in the kitchen."
"Dad! Telephone!"
Tom sighs. "Hello?"
"Mr. Bradford? This is Dr. Ames, from the University? I have the results
of your son's test."
"And?" Tom motions to Abby to come closer to the phone so she can hear.
"Could you come down to my office to discuss it?"
"Sure, my wife and I'll be down. Just say when."
"I have office hours until 7 tonight."
"Half an hour ok and should we bring Tommy?"
"No, not yet."
"Ok, we'll be right there."
"I'll be waiting."
Tommy overhears this as he comes in. "What did he say?"
"He wants us to come down to talk to him," Abby says. "Guess that means he
found something."
"I'll be ready in five minutes."
"Uh--he meant your father and me. He said he'd want to talk to you later."
"Oh......"
Nancy wonders if Tommy will be able to practice that day or if she should
wait and ask him tomorrow.
"I'll come tell you what he said as soon as we get back, OK?" Abby says.
"And oh, by the way--will you have time to practice with me tonight?"
Tommy looks at Nancy. "Well...."
"If you don't, it's OK. I just thought that it sounded a little rough. But
I'm sure it will sound better when it's the real thing."
"I can do it later."
"Great. Then I'll let you know when we're back."
"See you later."
He nods.
"Come on Abby, lets go." Tom says with worry.
"I'm coming, I'm coming," Abby says. ~Someone's impatient.~
Tom goes out and gets in the car.
Abby follows him.
"We can practice till she gets back if that's ok." Nancy says to Tommy.
"OK."
"But you set the pace and the quitting time." Nancy says knowing how tough
it can be to concentrate when ones mind is on other things.
"Let's go to the garage."
"Ok, see you when you get home." She says to Tom and Abby before they head
there.
"I made the box bigger so you won't get too claustrophobic." Tommy states.
"That is very much appreciated." She replies.
"Want to try it out?"
"Absolutely." She gets inside the box with Tommy's help.
He shows her the secret compartment.
Once Tommy closes the box she uses the secret compartment.
"How is it?'
"A definite improvement."
Tommy smiles. "Good."
"Hey Tommy." She asks while they're practicing. "Have you heard from
David lately?" She asks trying to get his mind off the test results.
"No, not since that night he said he wouldn't perform."
"Maybe it's time for some more sibling pressure."
"What, me?"
"And me, I won't send you in there alone, if you want."
"Thanks, I'd appreciate it."
"So you'll go with me?"
Tommy nods.
"Thanks Tommy."
"Tomorrow?"
"Sure."
"Good, do you mind if we quit for the night?"
"No I don't mind." She gets out of the box.
"Thanks, I'm going to watch the game."
"Ok, I'm going to check on Elizabeth." They go back inside.
"Why couldn't he tell us the results over the phone?' Tom asks as he drives
to the university.
"Sometimes, when the results aren't so clear-cut, or when the person thinks
they need to be discussed," Abby says. "Does Max always give results over
the phone to all his patients?"
"No, he discuss the bad ones in his office."
"See?"
"So Tommy must be in trouble."
"I'm not sure 'in trouble,' but I'll bet you the test did find he's got a
problem."
They arrive at the office "Yeah."
They go inside and are ushered into the professors office. "Mr. and Mrs.
Bradford, I'm glad you could come down here," he says, and starts to shuffle
through Tommy's test papers.
"So what's the results?" Tom asks point blank.
"Why don't you sit down, Mr. Bradford?"
Tom sighs and sits.
The professor looks through the papers one last time. "It's quite clear from
these tests that your son does indeed have dyslexia. He has quite a bit of
trouble in reading and some in writing, as well."
"So its true."
"Yes, I'm afraid it is."
"Now what do we do?"
"The first thing you do, I suggest, is talk to your son. You'll also have
to talk to his school and set up an Individualized Educational Plan."
Tom nods. "then he'll be cured?"
"This is exactly why I wanted to talk to you. Dyslexia isn't a disease, Mr.
Bradford. You're not cured of it, any more than you could be cured of having
a specific color eyes or hair."
"But its still a problem."
"It's a learning disability," the professor corrects him.
"Ok "disability." Tom states.
"With the proper help, he can learn to overcome it."
Tom nods "Ok."
"Do you have any questions?" the professor asks.
"Not right now, Abby?" Tom asks.
Abby asks a few technical questions and is answered.
"I'll have a report typed up for you by tomorrow. Make an appointment with
his school," the professor says.
"Thank you. We will."
"Thank you." Tom says.
"Mr. Bradford?" the professor stops Tom before he can leave. "You do realize
that this is just a learning disability. It has nothing to do with your son's
intelligence."
Tom nods. "His intelligence isn't the issue, its mine."
"Excuse me?"
"I'm a journalist; how could I not have seen the signs?"
"You're a journalist, Mr. Bradford, you're not a specialist in learning disabilities.
Why would you have seen any signs?"
"Because I know words and reading."
"I know words and reading, too. Doesn't mean I could keep a spot on page
2 of the newspaper."
"Now you sound like Abby."
"I think he means that as a compliment," Abby says. "Right, Tom?"
"Right." he says. "Thanks again."
"You're welcome. If you think of any other questions or need help with the
IEP, just give me a call."
"We will." Tom says.
Abby thanks the professor again and they leave his office.
"What do you think?" Tom asks.
"I think we'd better break the news to Tommy gently."
"Yeah."
"What do you think?" Abby lobs his question back at him.
"For Tommy sake, I hope we can keep this discreet at school."
"Why? It's nothing to be ashamed of."
"You and I know that, but you know how cruel kids can be."
"So we let Tommy think those kids are right?"
"Abby, I'm trying to protect my son, is that so wrong?"
"Not as long as you don't make him feel that there's something wrong with
him. He's already worried that this makes him dumb or something like that."
"I won't."
"I think we should talk to him together."
Tom nods. "Maybe we should take him out for a pizza."
"It wouldn't hurt."
"Let's go get him then."
They head home and look for Tommy.
While Tommy and Nancy are practicing and Abby and Tom are at the appointment
Mary is trying to study but the phone keeps ringing and the caller keeps
hanging up on her. When the next call comes she yells into the receiver
but gets no results as the caller again hangs up.
"Idiot." She mutters and goes to see if Elizabeth needs anything.
Elizabeth is in her room hungry. ~I thought Abby was making me soup.~
Nancy runs into Mary in the hallway who was on the way to check on Elizabeth.
"You look frazzled."
"I am." She tells her about the calls.
"Probably some kid."
"Yeah." They both go in the bedroom.
"Hi guys."
"Hi, do you need anything?" Nancy asks.
"Some food?"
"Sure, coming right up." Nancy goes to get some of the soup and brings it
back upstairs for her.
"Thanks. I guess Abby forgot."
"You're welcome." The phone rings again.
"I'm not getting that." Mary says.
"Relax I'm sure Tommy or Joannie will get it."
"Would somebody get that?" Joannie yells from her room.
Nicholas grabs the phone. "Hello?"
The caller promptly hangs up and makes a mental note to try again in a week
or two.
Nicholas shrugs and then hangs up.
When Tom and Abby come home, Tommy is watching the basketball game.
"Hi. So how dumb am I?"
"Tommy you are not dumb." Tom states.
Abby throws him a look. ~See.~ "Tommy, I thought we'd discussed this," she
says aloud.
"We did." he sighs.
"Well lets discuss it again over a pizza." Tom suggests.
Tommy nods.
"We'll even let you choose the toppings."
"Anchovies?"
Tom gulps. "Sure."
"You can pick yours off," Abby whispers to him.
"I plan to." he says.
"I'll go get my jacket." Tommy says. "Maybe we can bring Elizabeth some pizza
home."
"Elizabeth? Oh, no, "Abby groans. "I forgot, I was supposed to be making
her some soup."
"I think Nancy and Mary took her some."
"Good."
"Be right back."
"This is going to be a tough sell," Abby whispers to Tom when Tommy leaves.
"maybe I should raise his allowance."
"Trying to buy him off?"
"No, trying to make up for the times I've taken his allowance away for the
bad grades."
"And you're going to tell the other kids that?"
Tom sighs. "I've got to make it up to him somehow."
"How about not worrying about the past and just concentrate on the future?"
Tom nods.
Tommy comes back down.
"You ready?"
"For my execution, sure."
"Tommy....." Tom chides.
"Come on, let's go. We'll talk about it while we eat," Abby urges.
Tom drives them to the pizza joint.
When they get there Abby gets a table and sends the men off to order dinner.
They come back with the sodas.
"Ok, what's the bad news." Tommy asks.
"There isn't any," Abby says.
"Huh?"
"Son, you have a disability. But there is a way to help."
"It's no different than any other disability--problems hearing, needing glasses.
You need a new way to learn and once you get it, things will be totally different."
"Yeah right." not believing a word.
"It's true."
"I'll go get the pizza." Tom says when their number is called.
"Tommy," Abby continues, "some of the smartest people have been dyslexic."
"Like who?"
"Albert Einstein."
Tommy chokes on his soda. "You are joking."
"How about Thomas Edison? Or Bob Weir? He's in your field, isn't he?"
"Yes, but How."
"I told you. Dyslexia just means you need to learn differently than you have
been. It doesn't have anything to do with your intelligence or talent."
"Weir?"
"Having dyslexia doesn't stop you from being a great guitar player."
Tommy smiles. "So will you help me?"
"Try and stop me."
"Thanks."
Tom comes back with the Pizza.
"That took long enough," Abby chides. "I'm starved."
"Me too." Tommy says.
Abby passes the pizza around.
Tommy eats a slice while Tom picks off the anchovies.
"Tomorrow I'll call up the school and set up a meeting," Abby says. "But
first I'll call some friends at the District and find out just what Tommy's
entitled to."
"No special ed classes? I can be in my regular class right?" Tommy asks again.
"They may need to do some pullouts for tutoring, but no, not special ed.
Special ed classes aren't equipped to deal with dyslexics."
"Ok."
"It will be OK, Tommy. You'll see."
"Sure it will son." Tom agreeing with Abby.
Tommy nods. "I'll trust you."
"Told you the boy is smart," Abby says to Tom.
"He takes after me." Tom says.
Tommy laughs
"You think that's funny?" Tom gives him a mock glare
"I do," Abby says.
"Thanks." Tom says to Abby.
"Well, at least you still have cute to fall back on," Abby says to him.
"Abby, not in front of the boy huh?" Tom says.
Tommy smirks.
"Sorry, I forgot. Can't wreck the image, right?"
"Right."
"I didn't realize he had any image left to wreck," Abby stage whispers to
Tommy.
"He doesn't, but we have to humor him." Tommy says.
"What is this? Gang up on Dad night?" Tom pretends to be upset.
"Think we ought to?" Abby asks Tommy.
"Nah, lets give him the night off."
"Gee, thanks." Tom says.
"Anytime Dad."
"We're just too nice to you," Abby sighs.
"Well I would hope so."
"I think he owes us something for being so nice," Abby says to Tommy. "Like
ice cream."
"Good idea, Elizabeth could probably use some." Tom says.
"Think the others will feel slighted?"
"We'll bring a gallon or two back with us."
"It's probably safest that way."
"A mob scene is the last thing we need." Tom says as he pays the bill.
"Just hand them the ice cream and no one will get hurt."
Tom nods.
They go get the ice cream and then head home.
The next day, Tommy and Nancy go to visit David and knock on his door.
He soon answers.
"What's up?" He asks
"David, may we talk with you."
"Sure come on in." He lets them in.
"It's about the charity show." Tommy says as he sits down.
"Oh brother." David sighs.
"David come on. There will always be ski trips to go. This show
means a lot to those kids they barely have anything."
"David, at first I was on your side...but something happened to me, You are
the first I told this too, Even Nancy doesn't know."
"What happened?" David asks concerned.
Tommy takes a deep breath. "I have dyslexia."
"When did you find out?" David asks.
"Why were you afraid to tell us?" Nancy asks.
"Last night, Dad and Abby got the tests results and I didn't tell you, because
I didn't want you guys to think I was stupid."
"What?" David laughs at the idea.
"Tommy you're not stupid. You just have to study and learn differently
than you used to." Nancy says.
"I know, it took a few poundings in my head by Abby." Tommy says.
"David, maybe nothing will come of it but what if some poor kid there has
dyslexia and they don't have the money to test her or him?"
"I'm sure they have teachers." David says starting to cave in but not completely.
"Not all teachers can detect it." Nancy counters.
"Yeah and I had parents that got me the testing, do you think anyone there
is going to take the time to look for the signs?" Tommy asks.
David sighs.
"Also, those kids are really looking forward to that show, as is Joannie."
Nancy says.
"Ok, you cracked me." David says.
Tommy smiles. "Maybe the following weekend you can take me skiing." he jokes.
David laughs. "Heck I'll take you both."
"I'd love to." Nancy says. "But I have a pressing engagement."
She says having not told either brother about the LA Gig yet.
"You'd pass up skiing?" Tommy asks
"To make some extra money modeling in LA, yes."
"Congratulations." David says. "But watch your diabetes while you're
gone."
"Yes Dad." She jokes.
"That's great Nancy." Tommy says.
"Thanks Tommy." She smiles and then takes a peek at the clock. "We
should be getting home. David you coming for dinner?"
"Of course." He says. "Hey can you two tell Joannie before I try to
talk to her?"
Tommy nods. "Thanks David."
"No problem Tommy." He smiles as they leave the apartment.
"We did it." Tommy says to Nancy.
"That's right, we're unstoppable you and I." She says.
"I wonder how Joannie will take the news."
They arrive home and David pulls in beside them. "Hopefully she'll
be happy."
"Yeah." Tommy nods.
"And if she's still mad at him at first she will come around.'
"Ok."
They go inside and look for Joannie.
Part 3