Avi was sitting at the table just staring out the window. When someone sit down at the table across from him causing him to jump.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." Tim says.

"That's alright, it doesn't take much to make me jump these days." Avi says turning his gaze back out the window. He was watching some children playing in the park.

"Life was so simple at that age." Avi says mindlessly.

Tim looks to see the little children in the park.

"Huh, I don't even remember being that age." He chuckles.

Avi smiles and shakes his head.

"Well, at least I got a smile out of you. So how are you feeling?" Tim asks.

"Fabulous." Avi smirks. "My nose hurts and I'll be walking like John Wayne for awhile. Damn good thing I don't have a girlfriend, she'd be doing without."

"Well, maybe this will cheer you up some." Mr. Foust says, placing a bag on the table.

"What is it?" Avi asks looking at the bag.

"Open it and find out." Tim smiles.

Avi opens the bag and it was full of coloring pencils, drawing pencils, a new drawing tablet and a lot of other art supplies.

"Mr. Foust, I can't take this." Avi says barely over a whisper, pushing the bag back to Tim.

"And why not?" Tim asks, pushing the bag back to Avi.

"I mean, I thank you for trying to help. But that stuff is expensive, I can't pay you back." Avi says, pushing the bag back across the table then begins drawing imaginary lines on the table with his finger.

"I didn't ask to be paid back, Avi. Kid, you have a gift, a talent that most of us just dream about. I had to go to college to learn the stuff that you were born with. And then some of the stuff you do just totally blows my mind. I don't want, you not having supplies, keep you from sharing that gift with others. So, Please, take it." Tim says, pushing the bag back to Avi.

"Thank you, Mr. Foust." Avi says setting the bag next to him in the seat. "I think watching them break up my supplies hurt worst than the knee in my nuts."

Mr. Foust laughs loudly shaking his head.

"By the way, I gave Esther the dove." Avi smiles.

"Really? What did she say? Did she like it?" Tim smiles at the mention of Esther.

"She actually loved it. Even though it was broken. And she loved the fact that I carved her name on it myself." Avi smiled.

"See, I told ya so." Tim smiles, punching Avi lightly on the arm.

So, uh, when are you gonna grow some balls and ask my sister out?" Avi asks leaning forward.

"AVRIEL KAPLAN! I can't believe you just said that." Tim says, leaning over afraid Esther would overhear them. "Besides, she probably doesn't even like me in that way."

"Oh, I wouldn't be too sure about that." Avi says leaning back returning his gaze out the window with a smirk on his face.

Avi looks around to see Esther wiping off a table nearby.

"Hey Sis?" Avi calls to her.

"Avi, so help me." Tim whispers in a low voice.

"Yea Kid, whatcha need. Oh, hi Mr. Foust." Esther says with a smile.

"Look what Mr. Foust bought me." He says, setting the bag on the table.

Esther sits down next to her brother and looks inside the bag.

"Oh my God," Esther says as her eyes got big. "This was very sweet of you. How much do we owe you for all of this?"

"You don't owe me a thing." Tim smiles shaking his head.

Avi rolls his eyes, Tim missed the perfect opportunity to ask her out.

"I was thinking, maybe we could ask him over for supper one night. You know, just to say thank you?" Avi suggests. Receiving an elbow to the ribs from sister Esther and a kick in the shin from Mr. Foust.

~~

Avi groans as he climbs up in Esther's pick-up.

"Are you O.K.?" She asks when she sees him wince in pain.

"Well, let's see. I get punched in the nose, kneed in the nuts and elbowed in the ribs. So yeah, I think I'm good." Avi smirks.

"You didn't deserve the punch or the knee but you did deserve the elbow." Esther says driving toward home.

"Yeah? Why do you think that?" He asks, lightly touching his swollen nose.

"Inviting Mr. Foust over for supper like that. What were you thinking?" She shoots a glance over at her brother.

"So what's wrong with that? He did go out of his way to buy me more art supplies. It's just a small gesture to say thanks. Not too mention that you have the hots for him." Avi looks at her and smiles.

"I DO NOT have the hots for Mr. Foust." Esther argues as she drives up in their driveway.

"Yeah, keep telling yourself that. But you're not convincing me." Avi says, slowly getting out of the truck.

"Are you sure you don't need to go to the doctor, Av?" Esther asks seeing her brother limp toward the cabin.

"Naw, I'll be alright. Just doesn't feel too good getting hit in your nuts." He says walking into the house.

"Well, I wouldn't know." She laughs.

After they ate supper, Avi starts to go up to his loft. But it hurt too bad to try to climb the ladder.

"Guess I'll just sleep on the couch tonight." He chuckles.

"Uh, Avi? Come here and sit down. There's something I need to talk to you about." She says patting the couch beside her.

"What's the matter?" Avi asks sitting down.

"I was talking to Ben today about you." Esther starts.

"Really? Ya'll couldn't find anything better to talk about?" Avi smirks.

"Smart ass." Esther smiles shaking her head. "Anyway, he thinks I should let you quit school or home school. He thinks you've learned just about all your brain will allow you to learn."

"That's what I've been saying, Sis. I try to learn, I promise I do. I try hard, but I just can't understand none of it." Avi says with his voice breaking.

"I know you do, Sweetie." Esther says brushing his hair back. "And after what those bullies did to you today. If I don't do something, they're gonna end up hurting you worse than they already have. I would love to have you homeschool but I just can't afford it. So I've decided to just let you quit."

"Are you being serious right now? I can quit? I don't have to deal with Mitch and his goons anymore?" Avi smiles, tears filling his eyes.

"Yes, I'm being serious. Avi, it breaks my heart knowing what you have to go through every day. I won't let you get hurt anymore. I love you way too much to see you hurting." Esther says wiping a tear that was rolling down Avi's cheek.

Avi hugs his sister tightly, "I love you so much." He whispers to her.

"I love you too, little brother." Esther says wiping her own tears but feeling a bit of relief.

Avi sits up wiping his sore nose, "But don't you think for one minute that I'm gonna stop playing matchmaker for you and Tim."

"AVI!!" Esther shouts punching him in the arm.

"OUCH!!!" Avi yells grabbing his throbbing arm. "Add punch in the arm to list of injuries."

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