Addi is having a rough time in English this quarter.  Each quarter the students are supposed to pick a book to read from a list (a rather HUGE list, so everyone can find something that interests them). After they complete the book, they are to take a test in the library.  These are called AR tests, or Accelerated Reading tests.

Addi needs 20 points this quarter, only has seven, and the book he is reading is worth 12 TOPS.  The quarter ends on the 20th.  Roy and I have been pushing him to finish up his book.

I am standing at the table cutting out box tops when Addi comes over and stands by me.

I slide his book over to him, “Come on, Addi!  Read a few pages, a chapter, something.  Please take this seriously, as seriously as you do your dumb video games.”

Dean who is at the kitchen computer decides he needs to chime in, “Yeah, Addi, video games!”

“Hey, now!  You shush it.  You like video games too.” I replied to our little trash talker.

“No, I don’t… I like you!” Dean tells me.

My little charmer… he is gonna get all the girls! And maybe straight A’s if he chats up the teachers like that.