Chapter 2

Chapter 2

“Thanks Dad!” the children said in unison. 

“You are welcome!” their father replied, “my boss thought you guys would like them. He brought them all the way from Germany.”

“Germany!” their mother was astounded, “wow that was very thoughtful of him.”

Shua held up his bag admiring it under the chandelier’s gleam. The bag was of a thin wire mesh which held each ball in place. The bag contained an assortment of marbles from solid color to translucent balls with a streak of color amidst the centers.

Nic smiled as he held up a similar bag full of uniquely crafted marbles. “Shua, we’ll have to play marbles some time. Wait…I forgot, you’ll probably have to read,” he chuckled meanly and Shua frowned as his face reddened.

“Nic, be nice,” his mother scolded.

“Shua, how’s the reading going now that Nic’s brought it up,” his father asked glaring at Nic disapprovingly.

“Well…to tell you the truth,” Shua began, “I just can’t seem to grasp this reading thing like Nic and Bibby. It just makes my brain hurt.”

“Is it really just called ball and cup?” Bibiana interrupted. Her father turned towards her.

“Yes, the Germans are straightforward with their words,” he said, taking Bibby’s new toy his Boss gifted to Bibby. “It’s that simple. A ball and a cup.” Her father swung the ball and landed it in the cup first try. “I had one of these when I was a kid. It takes some practice to perfect, but I’m sure you’ll be able to figure it out,” he handed Bibiana her toy.

As Nic and Bibiana left the room mesmerized by their new gifts, Shua’s father turned back towards Shua and his wife, “Now back to the subject of reading.”

Shua rolled his eyes showing frustration on his face. He didn’t want to think about reading any more than he had to.

“I know it’s hard for you, but I was going to show your mother this.” His father stooped down to the dining room table and picked up the newspaper that was lying there. Shua’s mother arranged herself next to her husband to gaze at the newspaper with him. “I saw this article as I was drinking my coffee this morning,” he said, fumbling through the ads trying to locate a certain article. “Ah here it is,” he lowered the newspaper and pointed to a black and white ad.

“Does your child struggle with reading? Tutor to start this week at the local library.”

Shua dropped his head trying to hide his embarrassment. Why did he have to be so bad at reading? At least his siblings weren’t in the room now.

“Now Shua,” his mother said, “I don’t think it will hurt to have a professional tutor help you. Lots of people have reading tutors.”

“I think your mother is right. It’s not something to be ashamed of. I still am not a great reader. And besides when you let someone else help, you grow in humility. We can’t do everything on our own.”

“You always give me that speech,” Shua groaned. “Why can’t mom just help?”

“I know it would be a lot simpler, Shua.” I will still help, I just am struggling to teach you myself. I’m trying, but I must admit I’m a terrible English teacher.”

“That’s real humility, mother.”

“Stop it, Shua. It’s not.” His mother’s face reddened at the compliment.

“Fine, I’ll give it a try. But I think I’d rather have my mother teach me.” Shua faced towards his father, “thank you again for the gift!”

“Oh, don’t mention it. I’m just the courier. Thank my boss,” he replied grinning ear to ear.