Something Like Thunder Read Online Free PDF

the older man appeared none too pleased as he listened to what the manager had to say. Then both adults turned in their direction. Nathaniel quickly focused on the computer, catching Caesar’s eye along the way.
    “What’s that all about?”
    Caesar sighed. “I didn’t do so well on the biology test.”
    “You had that material down!” Nathaniel said, not hiding his surprise. “You aced the practice test!”
    “I got distracted.”
    Nathaniel glanced over at him. “How?”
    A shrug was the only response.
    Nathaniel made sure his tone was neutral. “I’m on your side here. I’m just trying to figure out what went wrong.”
    Caesar took a deep breath. “I had something on my mind. Something I couldn’t stop thinking about. I knew I was supposed to be focusing on the test, so I tried clearing my mind, but that made it worse somehow.”
    “Because you started thinking about not thinking about that thing you weren’t supposed to be thinking about.”
    Caesar’s eyebrows rose in surprise. Then he flashed a bashful smile. “Exactly.”
    Nathaniel nodded his understanding. “Look, next time that happens, just stop what you’re doing and allow yourself to think about whatever is distracting you. That will help get it out of your system.”
    “Does that work?”
    Nathaniel thought about all the times he’d sat in his car before work or school, thinking about Dwight, entertaining each fear so it became easier to push away. “Just remember that the worst rarely comes to pass. Whatever is most likely to happen, it’s got to be better than that. Right?”
    Caesar considered him, the eyes behind the red-framed glasses a curious golden hue. Then he turned to look toward the front door again. Nathaniel did the same. The older man was gone, but the manager was flustered. Nathaniel would probably hear about it later. Many parents blamed the tutors when their students’ grades weren’t high enough. Nathaniel didn’t let it get to him. All he could do was try his best. With that in mind, he helped Caesar get a head start on the coming week, then set him up with one of the computerized programs. Nathaniel moved on to his next pupil. And the next and the next, the hours melting away until it was time for his half-hour lunch break.
    He left the building, intending to walk down to the sandwich joint. He only made it a few yards before a car pulled up next to the sidewalk and parked. The black SUV reflected a distorted version of himself in the freshly polished surface. Then the passenger door opened and Caesar slid out wearing a miserable expression. From around the front of the car appeared the stern businessman who had exchanged tense words with the learning center’s manager. Except now he was smiling and extending a hand.
    “Todd Hubbard. Nice to meet you. I’m Caesar’s father.”
    “Nathaniel Courtney,” he replied, taking the hand and feeling uncertain as his arm was pumped up and down. “Mr. Hubbard, if this is about the biology test—”
    “It’s about all of Caesar’s grades, and please, call me Todd.”
    “Okay,” Nathaniel said, wondering if he was supposed to repeat the name. The eyes fixed on him were still shining, which was confusing. “What can I do for you?”
    “More of what you’ve been doing. Caesar’s grades started slipping over the previous year, but in the last two weeks, they’re on the uptick again.” Mr. Hubbard winked. “He says you’re to blame for this.”
    Nathaniel glanced at Caesar, who had his hands in his pockets, his shoulders slumped as he stared at the sidewalk. This had to be embarrassing. They were practically the same age and here was his father, talking to Nathaniel like he was a school teacher or something. “He’s been doing all the work. I’m just a study buddy. Human flash cards.”
    “There’s more to it than that.” Todd glanced toward the learning center and lowered his voice. “I was disappointed to learn that extra hours aren’t an option. I