" There's nothing wrong that a good swat on his behind won't help.."
Mrs. Stennet watched the boys grandmother nudge him sharply.
" Hey...you want me to fan your ass after we leave here? Or you gonna listen to your teacher?" Gemma asked, her tone ominous.
Abel Teller couldn't keep still, unlike his five year old classmates.
" Mrs. Morrow, there are good doctors I can recommend to have him tested and evaluated. I've worked with many students on the spectrum, and with ADHD. Once we find out where he is, we can set up an IEP specifically for him. Spankings and punishments will only exacerbate the issue. Is there a possibility I can meet with his mother and father directly?" Mrs. Stennet didn't like the grandmother, and maintained her assertive position.
" His dad's President of his corporation, so that's out- he doesn't have time! And since my grandson isn't a retard, I won't tolerate him being treated like one !"
" Is his mother available? Doctor Knowles?"
Exasperated, Gemma had to grab Abel by his shirt. " Will you sit the fuk down and stay still? His real mom is a heroin addict, and Doctor Knowles is separated from my son. I have legal rights, and paperwork to prove it.. So you're gonna deal with me, got it?" She was leaning over the desk." Is there anything else?"

The boys teacher wasn't deterred." Mrs. Morrow, he's also acting out, and that's become a major classroom disruption. I also have a copy of this" , she held up a referral from the bus driver. " Is this typical language at home? Do I need to get CPS involved? What's going on?"

Gemma snatched it and smirked after a quick glance. "He picks this up from the other kids, what can I say?" She tossed the paper flippantly at Mrs. Stennet.

" The old hag that drives them shoulda retired by now, but I'll have a talk with her...Are we finished here?"

Abel's teacher glared back. This woman is the worst, she thought, but smiled curtly.

"If I can reach the Childs parents, I'm sure they'll be interested in what I suggested. I Hope you change your mind and let them know. Good Day, Mrs. Morrow!"

Gemma was distracted with her grandson again. " That's it, kiddo, I'm gonna fan your ass in the car, now get goin!" she snapped, tugging the boy along, and looking back called out ,"Yea, see ya soon.."

Abel returned the next day, only to be dismissed early at the request of the his father.

He never returned, and after hearing of Gemma's death, Mrs. Stennet later learned his family had moved away.

" Nothing beats a geographical cure.." she told the vice principal.

While Jax and Tara never met Mrs. Stennet, they were quickly acquainted with Miss Collier, is new Teacher in Bloody Run.

Once Abel was properly diagnosed, Jax began an intense course called Parent training, suggested by the teacher. For Abel, there was behavior intervention, impulse control and something called academic engagement. Memories of each challenge surfaced as Jax watched his eldest on stage with Megan.

* ( look for Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown acoustic guitar on you tube, this is exactly how I hear it ) *

" Oh I get it, A Charlie Brown Christmas!" Tara exclaimed, wathing everyone mimic the dancing rehearsal scene.

" Kinda hard to believe, seein this." Jax said to Tara, noticing her tears.

" I forgot he even played that." she responded, dabbing her eyes. " And I was feeling like wed never get to this point, I'm still taking it all in!"

" It's my happy song" Abel told Megan, walking back to his dads garage. He liked how snow muffled every sound of everything around them. " When I was a little kid, they would play that after I had a really bad meltdown... Then one of my teachers at the Center taught me chords when I was in seventh grade. I'd sit with my headphones on playin for hours if I was feelin extra crazy."

" I loved watching you "

" I loved when you felt me up while I was playin , wasn't expecting that." he grinned .

" I feel kinda bad when I remember doin some of the shit to Dad- he's pinned me on the floor a lot, mostly when I was in eighth grade. They kept fukin with my meds, or changing em. Ritalin was the worst, I was pissed off all the time. I'd try to fight Dad, or Opie. "

" Your Mom said you had a rough time in middle school. How'd that go?" she laughed. " With Opie, I mean ?"

Abel laughed quietly. "He'd just pin my arms an carry me to a corner, or to Dad. He's too big to pin me, but dads an expert at taking me down. Hes fast too, I came back at Mom once an he tackled me- I was getting drunk back then, on shine mostly, did a lot of stupid shit ."

Megan pulled him closer.

"Like that fight at the mall?"

"I dont even remember that. I just remember puking my guts out the next morning, when you brought my back pac "

Passing the restaurant, Skillet waved from inside, as she turned lights off.

"Did you ever go off in there?" she asked

"I did once, and she sat on me till dad got there. Shes still kinda scary!" Abel waved back, then flipped her off.

Incredulous, Megan grabbed his hand." What the hell are you doing?"

Abel grabbed her arm and wrestled her half heartedly. I like to live dangerously!" he laughed, not seeing Skillet close behind the window.

"Oh shit!" Megan covered her mouth, when he saw her.

The elderly woman returned his salute with both hands, then went about her business.

"What the fuk? " Megan laughed.

"She's fuking with us now" Abel observed, as his dads roll back slowed down by the curb.

"Meet us back at the garage, well follow you back to the house. " Tara called out. "

" Im fine, I dont need anyone following me !" he shouted back.

" Yea, I think you do, so step it up, buddy." Jax yelled across his mom.

" Ok, whatever.."

" No snownuts for you I guess?" Megan asked, knowing how much he enjoyed stunts in the snow.

" Its probably not a good idea anyway, we got a kid in the toaster now." he grinned back.

" Toaster...Geezis, where do you get this shit?" Megan wondered.

" Dad " Abel slipped nearly falling into her