Front of the Class Page #7

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Come on.

He's concerned about Amanda's ability to concentrate.

He just thought that you'd make it a little harder for her.

Can't he just give me a chance?

We've only just started.

I pointed that out.

And?

He said he was sympathetic

but that Amanda needs as he put it a "normal teacher. "

Don't take it to heart, Brad.

Parents are the hardest part of the job.

All right, who can tell me the names of the capitals Maxine

and her big red truck have passed through? Anybody?

Oh, all these hands! Excuse me. Excuse me.

Ah, man. Who do I choose?

I don't know.

Heather.

Atlanta...Nashville...um...Springfield?

That's great! Because a lot of people think it's Chicago.

And, ah, this is Springfield, right?

Noooo.

That's Indianapolis.

Oh, that's right!

So, what am I thinking? This is Springfield.

NO!

That's Columbus! Springfield's over there, Mr. Cohen.

Where is it, Eli? Is it over here?

Nooo!

Where is Springfield?

I don't know. You guys have to point it out to me.

Point it out. Point it out.

I don't see it there.

Ahh! I see it!

You're telling me that this is Springfield. Right?

YES!

You don't have permission to leave your seat, Thomas.

That's right. Mr. Cohen has eyes in the back of his head.

Go back and sit down, please. And next time, ask.

But I need to sharpen my pencil.

Now, Thomas.

All right, now.

Where's Maxine and her bug red truck going to be on Tuesday?

ME! ME!

See you bright early tomorrow, David.

All right. Hey. Remember to walk.

I really like your hat, Mr. Cohen.

Well, thank you, Heather. I like your hair.

It's just short 'cause of the medicine.

Bye.

Hey, honey!

Hi, Mom.

Can you wait right here for just a minute?

-Sure. -OK.

Hey, umm. I've been meaning to come and speak to you about Heather.

I think I know...

Yeah, umm. We were just reluctant to tell anybody at first.

Of course it was only a matter of time before the chemo became obvious, so ...

Is she, ah, going to be okay...?

Umm. Heather just loves your class.

She can't wait to get to school every day.

And, umm, I'd be grateful if you kept our secret a little longer.

I just don't want her to be singled out.

Yeah.

Thanks. All right, baby girl. Let's go.

Bye!

How about...an ice cream?

Yeah!

OK.

Uh-oh. What do you think? What do you think?

I already have that one.

Looks great on you, though.

Hey, what's wrong?

Oh, nothing, I'm just focusing on school stuff.

Can you focus on me for a minute?

Sorry.

Hey, hey, hey! Try this one on!

It'll make you feel better.

-Yeah. -OK. Yes.

-Yeah? -Yes!

-Really? -Oh my goodness, this suits you.

More than you know.

I've, ah, decided it's time to go for my master's degree.

Wow.

Wow, does that, does that mean you'll be going away?

No. I'd go locally.

Anyhow, I have to pass the entrance test to graduate school first, so...

Oh, wait. Isn't that like the SATs?

Do you have to take that in a big room with a lot of people?

Yeah. They said I could have a room all to myself.

Ah, good.

Tourette's does have its privileges.

Would it bother you if I did go away...?

Of course it would. Are you kidding me?

Get out of here.

Come here, I want to show you something.

Crazy.

Next!

Hey, ah, chchchch, Brad Cohen.

Brad Cohen.

Here you are, Mr. Cohen.

All right, I need you take this packet, and I need you to go right in there.

Oh, I'm supposed to have special accommodations

I don't have any notation of that.

I mean, everybody tests under the same conditions today.

OK, yeah, but I called and they said

They said

They said that I could have a, ah, space to myself

You know what? I need you to talk to the administrator about that.

His office is right over there.

I can't make an exception...

...we're not set up that way

They promised and I have the right to special testing accommodations

Listen, I'm sorry about your disability but there isn't anything I can do.

lf you want to take the test, you need to go in there now

Look at me! How could anybody possibly concentrate

if I'm in that room?

Listen, I have to start the exam, now.

Do you need me to call you a doctor...?

Isn't there anyone you can call for help?

Brad, calm down, I can't understand you...

Well, they said you could take it alone?

OK. All right. No problem. I'll be right there.

Has something happened?

You can take the test. And you'll have a room to yourself.

What did you say to them?

The magic word:
lawsuit.

I've gotta get to work.

Hey, Dad.

Yeah?

Thanks.

Good luck on the test.

As it turned out, I needed more than just Dad's good luck. I needed time.

With the clock, and my Tourette's, ticking away.

I failed to get all the way through the test.

Good job, guys. Thomas I am so proud of you.

Thank you, Mr. Cohen.

Wow! Look at that turkey, Heather.

Thank you.

So. Are you gonna have a big Thanksgiving this year?

Uh-huh. Mom says all my grandparents are gonna come.

Well, that sounds special.

'Cept when they cry.

They try to hide itbut I always see them.

Can I pet Waffle?

You bet you can pet Waffle.

Are you gonna have a good Thanksgiving, Mr. Cohen?

Yes, I am. Me and Waffle are going to take a little trip

to see my Mom in St. Louis.

I know where that is!

Well, that is super, Heather.

That's exactly where it is.

Now, do me a favor, will you?

And I'm going to trust you to take good care of my friend Waffle. All right?

Sure.

And I will be right back.

Hi, Amanda. Shouldn't you ja be in your class?

All right. Come on, I'll walk you to your room.

Why can't I be in your class, Mr. Cohen?

Well, ah. Your father had to do what was best for you, Amanda.

And you know what? You've got a great teacher.

OK...See you later, Mr. Cohen.

Busted.

Where did you learn those words, Thomas?

You know you're not supposed to leave the class without asking.

Well, you're going to clean that up.

And then, ah, you're on detention: no recess.

But you do get an "A" for spelling.

You can't read it if you don't open it, Thomas.

I hate reading.

So do l.

You do?

Yeah. Reading's really hard for me.

It's not hard for you. You're a teacher.

You wanna bet? Let's play a game.

You be Mr. Cohen trying to read

And I'll be Tourette Syndrome. OK?

Read this page.

"Once upon a time"

Keep reading.

"...upon a time, there was a" That itches.

Does it itch a little bit? All right. Keep reading.

"...there was a..."

Hey, Thomas!

All right. That's hard, isn't it?

It's hard to concentrate.

That's how hard reading is for me.

It's not that hard for you, is it?

No. It's easy for me.

But...how can you be a teacher if you hate books?

Hate books? I don't hate books.

Everything in the world is in books.

I just have to work extra hard to get it out.

I'm not going to give up on you, buddy. OK?

And I'm not going to let you give up on yourself.

Now keep reading. Right here.

"Once upon a time there was a"

Mag-magi...

Magician.

"A magician who met a small boy.

A small boy who was trying to pull a big sword out of a big rock.

Weird.

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