A Daughter for Christmas Read Free Page A

filling the entrance as though he could really help her with Taylor.
    â€œYeah. Third time since the beginning of school. Dan brought her home twice. Once I had to go out and find her.”
    â€œWhat does she say?”
    â€œNot much and that’s what’s so frustrating.” Rachel moved to the side. “Come in. No use for you to stand on the porch. Do you want some coffee? I keep a pot on all day. I know I drink too much caffeine.” As she led him back toward the kitchen, she heard herself chatteringa nervous prattle. What a first impression she and her family had made on the new neighbor.
    â€œI drink too much coffee, too.”
    She poured two mugs and sat across from him at the oak table, sliding his toward him. “I think I know what’s going on, but so far I haven’t been able to reach her.”
    â€œWhat?”
    His calm facade wrapped about her, soothing her tattered nerves. “She’s never accepted her father’s death. After his passing, she started changing. She used to be so open. Now she keeps things inside. I realize as a teenager that can be typical, but in Taylor’s case I don’t think so. Then on top of that she’s having a lot of problems in school. Her teachers complain she can’t sit still. She’s always talking when she shouldn’t. This year has been especially bad. Her last antic was starting a food fight in the cafeteria.”
    â€œHow are her grades?”
    â€œAs you’d expect, not good. She’s passing two classes by the skin of her teeth. I tried a tutor, and she wouldn’t cooperate with the woman. She’s smart. In elementary school she had pretty good grades. She rarely got in trouble. I’ve been thinking of trying homeschooling with her.”
    â€œHomeschooling? Kevin said something about a science class he teaches at the office twice a week for some students from Helping Hands Homeschooling Group.”
    â€œYeah. I’m hoping to hook Taylor up with him. He’s been our family doctor for years.”
    â€œHave you talked with him about checking to see if Taylor has something like Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity?”
    â€œADHD?” Rachel cupped the mug between her hands,needing its warmth to melt her chill. “No, I haven’t. Why do you think she might have that?”
    â€œImpulsive, can’t sit still, trouble in school. It’s a possibility.”
    â€œWhy haven’t any of her teachers said anything?”
    â€œThat I can’t answer. She’s in middle school now and probably has six or seven different teachers so it’s harder to notice. A doctor has to diagnose it. If it’s not that, Kevin should still check her out to make sure there isn’t an underlying health reason for the behavior change.”
    â€œHyperactive?” Rachel rubbed her chin. “I know she’s always moving, but she can sit still when she wants. She’ll watch her favorite TV show and not move an inch. Or she’ll play a game on the computer and be engrossed to the point she doesn’t even hear me come into the room.”
    â€œADHD kids can be super-focused on something they’re really interested in. If they aren’t interested, it’s very hard to keep their attention.” Max took a sip of his coffee.
    â€œHow come you know so much about it?”
    â€œMy brother has it and his son does, too. Once a parent understands what’s wrong, it helps in working with the child. There are certain things that can be done.”
    The fingers about her mug were still cold as though it had seeped deep into her bones. “If I decide to homeschool her, is it something I can do?”
    â€œSure. I have a book about ADHD. I’ll dig it out and give it to you to read.”
    Lifting her drink, she locked gazes with him. “I’ve got some thinking and praying to do. I appreciate your input. I’m at my wit’s end. I