Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 71054 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71054 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
“Okay, Mr. Bloom, I get it.”
“Good.” I looked at the clock. “The bell’s about to ring. Make sure your area is clean, or your parents will think our room’s a pigsty.”
Some kids laughed, and as they filed out, I high-fived each of them.
Chase lingered as if making sure he was the last to leave the room. “Mr. Bloom?”
I smiled. “Yeah?”
“Thanks for that.”
“Anytime.” I patted his shoulder. “Will I be seeing your mom tonight?”
He winced. “If she can leave work early.”
I understood that. Some parents had to make ends meet, and the school schedule didn’t always match with theirs.
“Okay, well…I’m going to hope for the best.”
“I told her I could watch my little sister so she can go, but she doesn’t always…” He shook his head and looked away.
“What?”
He looked at me. “Trust me with her.”
“I hear you. I had that same problem. It’s hard when someone thinks you’re misbehaving, but it’s really your brain chemistry misfiring. It won’t get it together enough to help you settle down or stop being so distracted.”
“Exactly. I like that you get it.”
I nodded. “But you have to do your part to meet your brain halfway whenever you can.”
“What do you mean?”
“Learning little tricks to help you stay focused.”
“Can you give me some ideas?”
“I sure can,” I said as the bell rang and my next class started filing in. “Here, let me write you a pass so your next teacher doesn’t think you were messing around in the hall.”
“Thanks.”
Conference days were long, but I used the time after school to straighten my room, grade papers, and prep bulletin boards to showcase students’ work. The principal ordered pizza, and the staff gathered in the teachers’ lounge to get some sustenance before the doors officially opened to the parents for the evening.
Because Horticulture was an elective class, some parents gave meeting with me a pass, focusing their attention on the core subjects. But surprisingly, I got a good mix, and by the end of the night, not many decorated flowerpots were left to pass out to parents as a gift from the students.
Unfortunately, Chase’s mom never showed, and I was disappointed. The alternative would be to contact her and set up a separate meeting or phone call.
I was just packing up my stuff when I heard giggling in the hallway. Another second more, and in walked Chase, his toddler sister, and his mom.
“I’m sorry we’re late,” Ms. Johnson said. “I had to work, and then my sitter canceled.”
“So I told Mom I could keep Tabitha occupied while she met with my teachers.”
“Good idea.” I smiled at them and watched as Tabitha tottered around the room, touching anything she could get her hands on.
“I can take Tab to the gym while you and Mr. Bloom meet,” Chase said with a hopeful gleam in his eye.
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” his mom said, wariness crossing her features, and I thought about what Chase had said about not being trusted.
“There’s plenty of open space for Tabitha to run around or play with the balls the gym teacher brought out. There will also be another adult in the room.”
“Okay…sounds good. Just, be careful, Chase.”
He frowned as he gripped Tabitha’s hand. “I will, Mom. Promise.”
I waited until they cleared the room before I asked, “Has something happened when Chase babysat his sister?”
“Not exactly. But he’s forgetful and can make risky decisions without thinking.”
“I used to be that way,” I admitted.
Her eyes widened. “You’re kidding.”
I shook my head. “Now, I’m not a doctor, so I wouldn’t presume to guess what’s causing Chase’s impulsivity. But for me, it was ADHD, and Chase does remind me of when I was a kid.”
“That’s one of those diagnoses they’re trying to pin on kids nowadays.”
I winced. “Why not make an appointment to see what a mental-health counselor says?”
She grew flustered. “I don’t have time for that.”
“You can also ask his pediatrician for advice.”
She seemed to consider that. “He does have an appointment coming up.”
“Perfect. They’ll ask you questions and lay out options.”
“Maybe I’ll bring it up.” She scrutinized me. “You certainly don’t seem like you have trouble sitting still or staying on topic.”
“That’s because I take meds, and I went to therapy, where I got some good strategies to use.”
She threw me a skeptical look. “And that worked for you?”
“It changed my life. My mom would certainly confirm that.” I chuckled. “I could finally concentrate and finish all my homework.”
“And you think something like that might help my Chase?”
“I do. Our brains just work differently, so when you find solutions, it’s really helpful. I also think it might help his self-confidence. I get that you’re worried something might happen with Tabitha, and I bet he senses that from you.”
She frowned. “I’d rather be safe than sorry.”
“Of course.” I certainly wasn’t trying to preach, so I quickly changed course. “What I’ve learned from teaching Chase is he does better when his hands are occupied. I really enjoy having him in class.”