Ten-year-old Isabel Jackson walked into her mom's office with a small chapter book clutched in her hands. Annabeth looked up as her mini-self with sea green eyes walked up to her desk pouting.

Annabeth put down her paper and focused her attention on her daughter. "What's wrong, sweetheart?"

Isabel's eyes were everywhere but on her mom as she explained quickly and frustratedly, "I'm sorry, Mom. I didn't want to interrupt you while you were working, but I don't know what to do. We were assigned a book in class and I've been trying, Mom, I really have, but the letters just- just keep moving around the page and I can't- I can't read it, Mom." Hot, angry tears welled up in her eyes and her arms were flailing like Percy's do when he's trying to explain an abstract concept. "Mom, all the other kids are on chapter three, and I can't get past the second page. I feel so stupid, and I don't know what to do. I- I can't," voice crack, "I can't read, Mom."

She was looking so forlornly at her mother with big crocodile tears streaming down her tan cheeks. Annabeth's heart broke for her daughter as she explained the struggle that she knew all too well.

Annabeth stood up and walked around her desk, shaking her head. "No, no, sweetheart. Come here."

Isabel walked forward and wrapped her arms around Annabeth's hips, buring her face in her white button-down shirt that was always clean-pressed no matter what. Her small shoulders were shaking with sobs. Annabeth was petting her hair gently. She hated seeing her beautiful daughter feeling so insecure and hurt.

With one finger under her chin, Annabeth lifted Isabel's head up to look her in the eyes. "You are not stupid. You are brilliant. The reason the words swim around the page is because you're dyslexic, like all other demigods. Like your dad, Chase, and I. We all had trouble with it. Your dad still does. Even I still do sometimes. But that doesn't make us stupid."

"But you and Chase are super smart," Isabel complained. "And Dad is Dad." Annabeth smirked slightly at that.

"It took a lot of practice to read as well as I do now, but it wasn't impossible. Chase knew this and tried really hard when he was really little to read. And now he's six and he reads everything. You just have to try. And I'll help you, okay? We can do this together."

Isabel nodded. "Okay." Annabeth smiled and wiped the tears from Isabel's face, kissing her on the forehead.

"We can start now if you want," Annabeth suggested.

Isabel grinned, reminding her of Percy again. "I'd like that."


Hello, lovelies. Sorry about this one. It is soooo short. I really like this chapter, but both of my proofreaders think it is dull. I don't really care because I write for myself, but you asked for Annabeth and one of her kids. Well, at least one of you did. And the other voted for Leo and one of his kids. Seriously, guys? Two votes? And I'm pretty sure one of them was my cousin. I'm resetting the poll later today. Please vote. I'm begging.

Also, a public service announcement: I read somewhere that May 20th is Leo Appreciation Day because he's the seventh wheel and he needs some love, so you've gotta write his name on your wrist. This is probably old, old, old, but I really like the idea and I write on my wrist every day anyway, so why not?

I hope you enjoyed Isabel and her mom. Please go vote later today for the next chapter. I'm digging for inspiration.

Basically, Lissy