2004

With some regret, Alan remembered how, Don was affected when the couple first found out that Charlie was a prodigy.

Charlie's needs were overwhelming, tutors had to be hired, and he needed lots of attention. This began to affect Don. This became appearent when Alan alone went to talk to his older son's third grade teacher. Margaret had to stay home to oversee the tutors.

"Mr Eppes?" a woman in her twenties asked.

"Miss Fine" The two shook hands and sat down.Soon they got to business"You seemed concerned over the phone"

"Don is a very intelligent boy. His vocabulary is advanced, and he asks very good questions. However, lately, he hasn't shown much enthusism for his work.

"Oh?"

Ms. Fine took out some papers.

"Here is a book report he turned in. Read it and you'll know what I mean" she handed it to Alan.

"The Rose that belonged to Megan Lee was a dum book."The report began. "Megan is a cri babi. Roses die faster than doogs." With that the report ended.

"His math has been suffering as well. Look what he wrote on the math problems." the teacher continued.

Alan looked at a math work sheet and saw little stick figures around the numbers. Hefelt guilty. Donnie's homework sometimes got last place. However,Alan was determined to fix that.

He explained."It's just that my wife and I just found out that our younger son is a prodigy. It's been overwhelming for us."

"This isn't the kind of workDon is capable of.." she shook her head. "He's got lots of potential too!"

"I know..." Alan vowed then and there that no matter how tired he was, he'd help Don more with his homwork instead of leaving it to Margaret.

"And his behavior is out of sorts"

"Oh?"

"He makes paper planes instead of doing his classwork"

Alan promised "I'll talk to him, and make sure he gets all the help he needs"

At home, Alan had a talk with Donnie at the dinning room table.

"I talked to Miss Fine. She says that you're not doing your work. Why?"

"I dunno" the boy shrugged.

"And why did you write a two sentence book report?"

"The book was dumb"

"You made that very clear, but you could have at least said why it was dumb"

"I did! Megan was a cry baby! I put that!"

"Let's make a deal, you will not watch T.V, or play until I've checked your homework. Is that understoood?"

"Okay" the boy nodded.

"Donnie! Look!" little Charlie interupted them.

"I'm talking to your brother, Charlie, give him a minute" Alan said gently.

The boy pouted, but waited.

"And maybe you should ask for help on your homework instead of drawing on it" Alan suggested.

"Yes Dad."

"Donnie! Come!" Charlie got impatient.

"Go see what your brother wants to show you" the man advised his son. Don, with a sigh, followed Charlie.

"We can't lose sight of him" Margaret said when both boys had gone to the far end of the living rom.

"I know" Alan put a hand on her shoulder.

2005

After a while, the server came to offer deserts.

"Do you have a desert that helps people deal with being lied to?" Charlie asked without thinking. The alcohol was still affecting him.

"Chocolate has been known to do that" the server talked from experiance.

David said."I'll uh..get the carrot cake."

Dawn took out a pen from her purse, and spread out a napkin.

"Why don't you write your mother that letter?"

"What good is it?She's gone!" Charlie said skeptically.

"You're bottling things up" Dawn pointed out. "Getting them off your chest is an important first step."

"That's easy for you to say" the professor gave her an annoyed look.

"What's it gonna cost ya?" David insisted in support of what his daughter had said. "At least do one sentence!"

Charlie shook his head.

TBC