Robert Jackson was very jittery at the moment. By order of the Ancients of the Ghost Zone, he was supposed to have coffee and bond with his cousin Jack Fenton. As far as his cousin knew, the kids set this the cover story for both realities was the kids had each done a DNA test for fun as so many others did. Furthermore, like others, getting the results helped them track down unknown family members.
As far as Jack Fenton knew, he was a distant cousin on his mother's side. Jack Fenton's first name had been his mother's maiden name, but he was called "Jack," not Jackson. Still, as Robert sipped his coffee at Brook's Brew, he couldn't help it as the jitters grew inside him. He wondered how his best friend and roommate, Alexei Petrov, was doing with his cousin Vlad Masters in Peace Valley.
Robert couldn't help but cringe when his cousin arrived in what was dubbed "The Fenton Ghost Assault Vehicle. In reality, it was a tricked-out RV that proved more deadly to the living then the dead. Jack Fenton was literally the definition of a manchild. You could see it from a mile away. The way he talked, his mental and emotional maturity, and he couldn't pick up on social cues.
Robert wondered if they'd even be able to have a proper conversation. The large man in the bright orange jumpsuit approached the table where his thinner, more handsome cousin sat. Robert noted that Jack didn't even realize he'd nearly run over several people as he acted like a kid on sugar when he came over. "Hey Robby! Great to see you! I've been bursting at the seams to meet my cousin!
I've so much to tell you! I even brought some of my best inventions to show you how much of a genius your cousin is! Um, where is the fudge?" Jack asked as Robert raised an eyebrow.
Taking a deep breath, Robert began to speak. "Hello, Jack. I'm also pleased to meet you. However, let's start over with a proper greeting," he suggested, to which Jack looked utterly confused.
"What? What do you mean?" Jack looked more confused then a drunk with a calculator.
"Your children forewarned me that you've got a slightly difficult time when it comes to reading social cues or understanding how to act appropriately in public. Jazz even told me she believes you might be on the autistic spectrum due to some of your behaviors. She feels you're possibly neurodivergent. I'd have to say I strongly feel she is correct with that assessment," Robert kindly replied.
"Jazzy Pants thinks what?" Jack Fenton looked even more confused. It became clear to Robert that no one had tried to help Jack in the past improve his behavior. Or explain WHY it was socially unacceptable.
Robert took another deep breath. "Your children wanted us to get to know each other. But they also felt I could help you behave more acceptably," the handsome man explained to his childlike cousin.
"How am I not acting acceptable?" Jack asked again, confused.
In his reassuring, deep voice, Robert spoke calmly, "Well, let's review what happened. You barged into the cafe and rushed over without paying attention to the other patrons. You didn't say excuse me. Plus, when you got here, you started talking a mile a minute like a kid on sugar. You should have correctly said hello or allowed me to speak.
Most people would consider that sort of behavior as immature, rude, and vastly inconsiderate to others. I'm not a therapist, Jack. I'm an electronic repairman. However, my mother was very much like your daughter, Jazz. She was a child psychologist, and helping children learn proper behavior has rubbed off on me."
"I've no idea what you are saying," the large, oddly dressed man replied to his cousin.
"Jack, I will talk very slowly, so pay close attention. We can use this time to get to know each other. Furthermore, it will allow me to help you be more socially acceptable."
"Okay!" Jack replied gleefully despite not understanding a word being said to him.
Robert spent twenty minutes again pointing out the social cues that Jack couldn't pick up on. He also took time to point out how a conversation should go. It can't be one person doing all the talking. That everyone deserved their chance to talk about what they wanted to. You had to actively listen even if you didn't care for the subject.
He also reminded him about basic manners. Jack wasn't initially paying attention. He went on his childish blabbering, to which Robert again stopped him and pointed out what he'd done wrong. It took over two and half hours before Jack Fenton had an appropriate conversation for the first time.
He asked his cousin about his background and quietly listened as Robert explained his past. That again, his mother was a psychologist, and his father taught him the tricks of the trade when it came to repairing electronics. He then politely asked Jack to tell him his story. It took a lot of effort on Jack's part to properly talk without sounding like he was still four years old. The cousins continued to work on Jack's lack of social skills and teach him how to act and talk like a mature adult.
Jack, at first, didn't like how this meeting was going. Eventually, he did realize that his children felt his cousin was the best person to help him in this area of his life. He realized they did care about him and wanted others to like him. It was a rather unusual coffee date, but worth it in the end. Robert hoped by their next coffee date, Jack had improved enough that they could talk about other things then ghosts or fudge.
Jack promised to work on himself and thanked his cousin for his help. Robert assured him he would do anything for his family. They agreed to meet for coffee again in two weeks; hopefully, the next one will improve.