Chapter 4

"You're serious?" Shaun asked a few days later.

"That is absolutely amazing," Montana said.

"I know," Mariah nodded. "I couldn't believe it myself when Dr. Henderson told me the scores on Leif's tests. I rather suspected something was up, but I never thought it would be this good. I mean, the functioning IQ of a fourteen year old? He's only nine."

"Maybe that was part of the problem why Leif was acting up in school," Montana suggested. "He was bored."

"Brian thought about that too," Mariah replied. "I thought it was Leif's ADHD and him being frustrated with being dyslexic, but both of those were improving. He was still being a class clown. Now we may have some idea what's happening. Of course, his reading and math scores were still low, but he was practically 'off the charts' in other areas of the tests according to the psychologist."

"While on the subject, did Brian ever find out about the watch thing?" Shaun wondered.

Mariah nodded, smiling. "After Leif's test scores came out, I finally had to confess. To say Brian was floored would be an understatement."

"I can imagine," Montana laughed. "You two should have had a camera to record the look on Paul's face when I told him it was Leif who fixed the DVD player. I doubt he ever considered he'd get his behind owned by a nine year old in the mechanically inclined department."

"But look how much money he saved not having it fixed by a professional," Shaun pointed out.

"And Leif probably did a far better job," Montana agreed. "So, Mariah, did the psychologist make any suggestions?"

"With the exceptions of math and reading, he's recommending more advanced classes," Mariah responded. "He thinks if Leif has a bit more of a challenge, perhaps he won't clown around so much in class."

"He should have his own mini repair shop while he's at it," Shaun joked.

"Good lord, Shaun, you sound like his dad now," Mariah laughed. "Last I checked in, Leif was down the street fixing Mr. Domingo's lawn mower."

"I still say you have a budding engineer on your hands," Shaun grinned.

"Or even a criminalist," Montana added. "The kid gets straight A's in chemistry. I was lucky to pass it at all at that age."

"Well, once Leif improves in math and reading, I have a feeling the sky will be the limit for him," Mariah said proudly.

Meanwhile:

"Who would have thought of all people, a dumb ass like you wouldhave a smart kid?" Paul asked jokingly. "He must have gotten it from Mimi's side."

"Shut up!" Brian laughed, giving him a playful punch. "We all know the truth, you're just jealous."

"Seriously, dude, it couldn't happen to a better kid," Paul smiled. "Little Leif, Boy Genius."

"Well, I wouldn't go so far as to say 'genius', but he could give a fourteen year old a run for their money apparently."

"I should have known something was up. Any kid that can fix a watch, DVD player and a lawn mower and have all of them working in A-1 condition couldn't be too much of a dummy."

"Yeah, well, try telling him that," Brian sighed.

"So he's a bit lax in reading and doing math, so what?" Paul replied. "It wasn't my best stuff either, and I'm not a boy genius by a long shot."

"Nor were they mine," Brian agreed. "Shit, I think they gave me my diploma because they felt sorry for me."

"I think I got mine because they wanted to get rid of me," Paul cracked.

"Yeah, Mr. 'I Was In the Principal's Office Once a Week'. I can see your point. Speaking of school, is Mikey going out for basketball this year?"

"I've been working with him when I can and he's talked about it, so I'm guessing he is," Paul replied. "Of course, he runs pretty fast too, and we've been getting suggestions for him to go out for track when he gets to junior high."

"Jesus, that isn't for a couple of years yet."

"I know! Still, I guess it isn't too early to think about it."

"I guess in my case it isn't too early to think about colleges for Leif either."

Paul laughed. "You aren't kidding there. Between his talents for putting things together, art and sports, that boy of yours is going to go places."

Just then, Michael walked in the door.

"Hey, here comes the other talented kid," Brian grinned.

"Huh?" Michael asked. "What's going on?"

"Just talking about Leif, buddy," Paul replied. "He had a bunch of tests done and they found out he's really smart."

Michael rolled his eyes and shook his head. "I could have told you all that without a bunch of dumb tests. All you got to do is show Leif something once or twice and he knows how to do it. Sometimes you don't even have to show him at all."

They stared at the boy as he went upstairs to do his homework.

"Sometimes I have to wonder if that one has a few more smarts than Montana and I think too," Paul said thoughtfully.