Goals for Thomas
Danny had lived in Lacey's house for two weeks. Two weeks of trying to get Thomas to let Danny near Lacey. However, Thomas was having nothing to do with that. Danny didn't feel like he was getting any closer to his son either. The more he tried, the more it seemed Thomas pulled away from him. Today would be the first meeting of Danny at Thomas's school. At Lacey's dismay, Danny insisted on going along for the semi-annual meeting.
"Welcome, Mr. Desai and Ms. Porter." Jana Dinsmore squirmed uneasily.
That was the norm for those that saw Danny. Not only had he been gone from Green Grove for five years. But he had come back no explanations to step right into Thomas's and Lacey's life.
IF he gave Lacey any explanation, that information wasn't being shared with the small town of Green Grove. But oh how the gossipers were making that up as it went
along. Danny Desai was every thing from a spy to an adulterer living a double life. A handsome one at that. So handsome that girls squirmed and guys immediately went on the offensive. No getting near their girls.
"Ms. Porter, you know every one here but Mrs. Shamrock." Sarita smiled. She was pleased that the whole group showed up for the I.E.P meeting. Usually, she had to beg just to get someone to come. "But I'd like to introduce every one again. For Mr. Desai."
"I'm Thomas's caseworker. I am Mrs. Ogden. Although, Thomas will be going into regular kindergarten next year due to his academic intelligence. He still needs a special education teacher for his caseworker. There are two other autistic children in elementary school. I'll be working with Thomas mostly. They have aides. So we're here to get a good idea about his I.E.P. next year." Sarita gulped at looking at Danny. No wonders Lacey couldn't let that fine thing go after all those years.
"What's an I.E.P?" Danny immediately questioned.
"It is an individual education plan. It tells both short term and long term goals we want Thomas to reach his next school year." Sarita thought she was being rather
professional considering Lacey was her best friend. "So on with the introductions. This is Ms. Dinsmore. She teaches preschool this year. However, Jana will be teaching kindergarten next year now that Mr. Grassle is retiring. This is Mr. Jeffrey Ross . He is the elementary school administrator." Sarita would leave out the fact he was once engaged to Lacey.
"Principal?" Danny glared. Jeffrey Ross may be principal but he was staring at Lacey. Back off!
"Yes." Jeffrey stated smugly. "I've known Thomas for a long time. Great kid."
Lacey scooted nervously. Danny sat back. Sarita cleared her throat and continued. "This is Mrs. Shamrock. She is going to be Thomas's speech pathologist."
"Nice to meet you." She smiled.
"Thomas can say any word he wants. Why does he need speech?" Danny scratched the back of his head.
"Danny…" Lacey stared agitated. Couldn't he have stayed home and let her take care of this like she always did? "Thomas can repeat any word. He can read anything…but…Can you explain it, Mrs. Shamrock?"
"Yes. Of course." Mrs. Shamrock handed Danny a couple of cards with pictures. "Thomas can't associate those words with the things around him. Thus, he has difficulty expressing his wants and desires. Or even carrying on a simple conversation. It is all locked in there. But Thomas isn't sure how to get it out. "
"He needs to communicate." Lacey crossed her arms.
She and Danny already had a confrontation about this. Actually, an argument over breakfast. "Like when he grunted for orange juice today. You should've made him say it. Instead of just handing him it."
"He was smacking his wrist to his forehead." Danny defended. "Couldn't that give the kid brain damage?"
Danny could already tell Thomas had been getting his way with everyone but Lacey. The only thing that Thomas did for Danny was obey his orders. He only wanted to show Thomas he could be a good guy too.
"You're supposed to make him stop doing that. You sure don't have problems ordering him to do every thing else." Lacey quipped as she threw her hair back over her shoulder.
Mrs. Shamrock and Sarita both saw this before. Parents disagreeing over their child's educational needs and other issues. It showed they both cared. However, Sarita was taken back by it. Danny was actually speaking up to Lacey. Strange. They never fussed in high school after getting back together for the third time. Danny was devoted to Lacey so much that she could tell him to jump and Danny would ask how high.
Mrs. Shamrock smiled sweetly. "Lacey is right, Mr. Desai. It is important that Thomas not hit his head when frustrated. So I guess you are correct too. But don't give in. Just make him say the word. Even if you take and hold his wrist so he doesn't hurt himself. I've seen grown men with autism knock themselves out by slapping their head too hard. It is merely a way of getting out that pent up frustration."
"I'll tell him not to." Danny adjusted himself in the seat.
"Yes. Because ruling with an iron fist. He obeys." Lacey realized she was a little jealous that Danny held that power of Thomas.
She remembered earlier that morning. Once again the shoe war went on. Twenty minutes this morning. But Danny walked in. A simple 'Put on your shoe,
Thomas.' and the kid grabbed the show sticking it on his own feet. Lacey had threatened every thing from thinking chair to no math games.
"It worked better than you taking his games. He likes math. I don't see how that is a good punishment." Danny retorted.
"I've done fine with my way in his life so far." Lacey crossed her arms.
Jeffrey sat back smugly. Looks like the love affair was over. He remembered always having to compete with the memory of Danny Desai. It looks like Lacey wasn't so keen on Danny any more.
"I…I.." Danny was caught off guard with that. It wasn't his fault she did fine without him. He would've been there had he been given the choice "We're
sorry. That was very rude of us. Mrs. Shamrock, you were saying. "
Mrs. Shamrock continued. "These are P.E.C. cards. That means…. Picture exchange communication. Thomas will have to first show the card of what he wants. Then
he will begin to say the word. Correct pronunciation will come. But we want him to attempt at first."
Lacey glared at Danny. How dare he apologize for her. Sarita could see the look of anger on Lacey's face. Danny didn't seem to be backing down either.
"Have some snacks." Sarita offered a plate of cream filled pastries. "I'm sorry for not offering them sooner."
Food usually always put everyone in a better mood. Calmed the savage beast so to speak. It may also keep Danny's mouth shut long enough to finish this meeting.
"Thanks, Mrs. Ogden." Lacey was trying to look professional. Even if her boyfriend...not boyfriend..man that fathered her child...was ajerk.
Jana was curious how Lacey could put up with Danny just acting like he was father of the year suddenly. Jeffrey was enjoying the patronizing looks
between Danny and Lacey. Mrs. Shamrock just wanted Thomas to get a some help with his communications skills. Sarita was wondering what size were those biceps
hugged tightly by the white t-shirt Danny had on. Danny had been working out. Okay, she was still into hot guys. Looking was all.
Some of the cream filling squirted out on Lacey's finger. Lacey reached for a napkin. Danny grabbed her hand and stuck her finger in his mouth. He sucked slowly. Lacey swallowed as she stared wide eyed at Danny's display. He pulled Lacey's finger from his mouth licking slowly the skin between her fingers.
"Those are good pastries, Mrs. Ogden." Danny winked.
"Umm." Sarita squirmed in her seat. "Thanks, Danny." Blush.
Lacey blew out air. She looked at all the ladies. Even Mrs. Shamrock was flustered. Jeffrey rolled his eyes. Danny had scored again. Now all the ladies would be hanging on his every word. All but Lacey, who was used to his extraordinary skills of making a lady's heart flutter.
Lacey turned to stare at Danny. "You are so going to pay." She mouthed her warning.
He cocked his head sideways. He mouthed back . "I hope so."
Lacey's turn to be flustered. This man was going to be the death of her. In such a good way.
"Is there any thing more?" Jeffrey was getting perturbed.
Jeffrey thought the ladies were way to enthralled by Danny Desai. He could lick fingers too. Ummm. Maybe not so seductively. But he could try.
Mrs. Shamrock finally shook herself out of her daze. "What goals would you like for Thomas as far as speech next year?"
"I'd like for him to communicate little things. Such as when he wants water. He'll say water. Or if he wants his batman toy. He'll say that. I don't want him pointing and grunting. I want him to say the word." Lacey knew that much. To hear Thomas tell her his wants and needs. So simple. Yet so important.
"How about you, Danny?" Sarita turned. "What do you want from Thomas?"
"I want him to tell me he loves me." Danny looked down at his large hands. He felt so powerless all of the sudden. "I don't care if he says the words. I just want him to show me that he loves me."