Page 10 of Poppy Kisses
“How do you mean?”
She fluttered her hands around. There was that energy she’d been known for. Maybe she’d just needed to warm up to me again. “You had to strong-arm your way through an educational system that’s not set up for people who learn like you, so your brain adapted, but it’s hard. Does Auggie get cranky after school?”
I snorted. “When doesn’t he?” He could be quick with his temper and tears, and getting him to help with chores would become a meltdown.
“But it’s gotten better since he started tutoring?”
I thought for a moment. “He’s not zombified until he breaks down. Not as much.”
“His brain was working overtime. But tutoring is giving him rules to read by so it’s not so hard. Then he doesn’t come home with glassy eyes and meltdowns.”
“How do you know all this?” My relief at hearing her describe what we went through gave way to astonishment. “You’re not dyslexic, are you?”
She shook her head. “Parents tell me.”
Talking with her was fascinating. She’d only worked with Auggie once, yet it seemed like she knew him better than me. “He used to ask me to shut off the lights when we had dinner.”
Her smile was kind. “Some of my students say it gets better, but I work with teens who say they still want a dark place after a tough day in school. One of the moms said she can tell when her middle schooler with dyscalculia has a heavy math day as soon as he walks out of class.”
She tapped her fingers on the tabletop, her intelligent gaze on me.
Just like before, when she looked at me, I felt seen. Not exposed, just seen. For a guy who’d futilely dogged a girl who had shared little of her effort with him, the sensation was unique. And welcome. Like it was now.
“Do you use an extension or an app to proof your emails and texts?” she asked.
I clenched down, the corner of my jaw going rigid. I rubbed a hand down my face before resting it on the table. I came to her for superficial help, not realizing how deep my issues went. Like Debbie had told Auggie, his brain worked differently. And here I was, talking about apps and tutoring for myself. “So I guess I’m dyslexic.”
“Oh.” Dismay crossed her features. “I’m sorry. I work with it every day, and I didn’t think about the fact that it’s just been dropped on you.”
“No, it’s…” A relief. Something I’d really always known. “Don’t I have to get diagnosed or something?”
“You could try, but from what families have told me, it’s frustrating to get a diagnosis. Debbie usually just meets with the kid and the family. She can’t officially diagnose, you know, but if she says a kid ‘needs to be here,’ then that’s as good as gold. Usually, families have all had similar experiences.” She shrugged. “It’s bizarre. Generations struggle in school, get treated awful, and it never changes, yet we know all about dyslexia and we have tools for it. Despite that, the cycle repeats. So infuriating.” She inhaled and shook her head. “Sorry. I hear a lot of horror stories from the families. Debbie started a center based on her experiences with her three kids.”
“You really love what you do.” I’d always admired her passion. “And you like working with kids.”
“I never set out to, but I got used to working with kids when I coached soccer.”
I sat back, my arms crossed, grinning. “You ended up coaching?”
She tucked a stray curl behind her ear. “Yes.” Tension infused her body. “So, about the help. Do you want to do some research first? I can set you up with those programs on your phone and computer.” She ducked her head. “There’s tutoring.”
“Tutoring?” Alarm piped through my veins. If yesterday morning hadn’t been so humiliating, I’d have laughed it off and figured out something else. Maybe I could sit beside Auggie and go through his lessons where no one else could see me, not even Debbie.
“We have adult tracks.” She screwed up her face. “Debbie does, I mean. I haven’t taken on any clients officially. I have to find a place to work out of first.”
“Got any in mind?” I needed her help to keep my brain from sabotaging me, but I wanted to know more about her. Poppy Duke was right in front of me after two decades, and I didn’t want it to end.
“One.” She rolled her eyes, then shook her head. “It won’t work though. I have to start looking.”
“What place?”
She went still, her gaze searching mine. What was she looking for? I waited under her warm perusal, hoping she’d judge me up to her standards. A spark of bitterness flared deep in my chest. I was tired of waiting for a girl to find me worthy.
Just as I tore my gaze away, she cleared her throat. “My grandma Annie passed away and left a trust behind. Me and my siblings each get a property. This house was Alder’s.”
“Each of you?” I thought for a moment. “Isn’t Lily in town? In your grandma’s old place? Violet?”
I’d seen Lily around, but she’d been busy with her kids. She might not even recognize me. She was the youngest Duke and had been a few years behind me in school. Violet had also gotten married to a guy who’d been several years older than us.
