The next afternoon the family was back on the bus heading for another destination on the “Albertane tour.”
Alex resumed her position on the bus sitting quietly watching the world go by. Mackie didn't like her all alone, he sat beside her and put his head in her lap and fell asleep while she stroked his hair. Isaac joined them.
“Hey, Alex.”
“Hi.”
“I’m sorry for leaving you out yesterday.” He said sincerely.
“That’s okay, Mommy and Zoë slept in my room.”
Isaac kissed the top of her head and went back to his seat.
September came and the tour winded down and they began their lessons again. Diana spent an hour with Alexandra on her math. Alexandra tried and tried but couldn’t do the division. After an hour of trying she found Taylor.
“Taylor, are you busy?”
“No, what can I do for you?”
“Could you help me with my math?” She asked embarrassed.
“Sure.” Taylor spent two and a half-hours with her. They finally got it done. “Al, if this is too hard for you ask mom for something a little easier.”
“Jessie is a year younger than me and she has the same work and she got it done three hours ago.”
“Well, maybe you’re just not good at math.”
“I’m not good at much, Tay-Tay.” She said, her eyes downcast.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing. Thanks for the help.” She left and went in search of their mother.
“You done?”
“Yeah.” She looked down. “Taylor had to help me. I tried by myself for a long time. I just couldn’t’ get it right.” Alex began to cry.
Diana gathered her up in a big hug. “It’s okay.”
“I’m sorry, Mommy.”
“For what?” Diana looked in her daughter's sad eyes.
“For there being nothing about me to be proud of. All of the other kids have a special talent I don’t. I can’t even do simple math. I’m sorry.”
“Oh, you’re perfect, sweetie. Just the way you are. Your dad and I are very proud of you. You help take care of the little ones and you stay out of trouble, and most importantly we’re proud of you for being you…Alexandra Anne Hanson.”
Alex sniffled. “Thanks, Mom.” She hugged her mother.
That night Diana sat in their room and was putting lotion on her hands they had been discussing Alex for sometime now.
“I just don’t understand, Walker. Why does she think she is so stupid and untalented?”
“Well hon, look. The boys are successful with their music. Jessie and Avie have dance recitals to show how good they are at dance. Mackie gets praised in everything he does because he’s little and then there’s Alex. She can’t sing. She’s got a learning disability. And every time she’s tried something the teacher has told her rather rudely that she’s not good at it.”
“I will never forgive that piano teacher who told her that she had a better chance of being struck by lightning than being able to play the piano. Then she took Zac and told him he was the best thing next to Taylor and Isaac. That the three of them were so talented…that it was too bad that it hadn’t rubbed off on their sister. Man, she was heartbroken.”
“I remember that. She was devastated.” Walker sighed. “Well, she’ll just have to find something she’s good at.”
“She writes the nicest stories.”
“Well then, force her somehow to show them off.”
“Hmmm, that’s not a bad idea, Walker. Well, I’m gonna go to sleep now. Love you.”
“Love you too.” Walker kissed his wife and he fell asleep.
Diana however was thinking of ways to make her little girl feel special.
