Absolutely Almost

Mrs. Rouse hands Albie his reading log back and asks him how he’s liking Johnny Tremain. Albie realizes that Mrs. Rouse has seen the fake cover on his Captain Underpants; however, she winks, smiles at him, and says “Keep it up, Albie” (90).

Mom tells Albie that the school counselor wants Albie to take a test, as she thinks he might have dyslexia, a reading-related learning disorder. Although Albie is initially worried, Mom reassures him that lots of smart and famous people have it, and the diagnosis would lead to Albie getting the right help in bringing his grades up. Albie realizes Mom is hoping that he does have dyslexia; Albie finds this strange, as he had always thought disorders were bad, but now he “sort of hoped [he] had it too” (93).

It has been a year and a half since Albie and Dad bought the A-10 Thunderbolt model. Albie has often looked through the box and read the instructions; he has even put some parts together, unable to help himself. The model is now too big to fit in its box, so Albie hides it on his shelf and waits for Dad to help him build the rest.