“Your choice of topic when it comes to date night conversations leaves much to be desired,” she said. “Usually, you pick a subject that will help you get laid later on. This ain’t it.”

“I’m not worried about getting laid. That’s a lie,” he quickly interjected. “But some things are more important than getting laid. When you were in school, did anyone ever mention testing you for a learning disorder?”

After several long moments passed, she finally shook her head. “No.”

He studied her for some time, debating whether or not to press the issue. She was right, this wasn’t the best time or place for this discussion, but if he had to wait until Taylor was ready to talk about this, he would be waiting forever.

“I told you about Silas’s struggles before his diagnosis,” Jamar started. “But I didn’t mention how much it changed his life after his condition was identified. It made all the difference for him.” He rested his hand on her forearm. “There’s nothing wrong with having a learning disorder; it’s just a different way of processing material.”

“I know there’s nothing wrong with it,” Taylor said. She took a breath. “I’ve wondered about it,” she finally said, her voice subdued. “I’ve read up on a few, and…look, I know that having a learning disorder is nothing to be ashamed of. But you don’t understand the kind of family I come from. They’re the most ridiculous overachievers you’ll ever meet.” She looked at him and rolled her eyes. “Never mind, I forgot who I was talking to.”

“Hey, don’t lump me in with your family!”

“Excuse me? What are you trying to say about my family?”

Jamar put his hands up. “You just called them ridiculous overachievers!”

She pointed a finger at her chest. “I can talk about them because they’re my family. You can’t. Make sense?”

It didn’t, but continuing down this rabbit hole wouldn’t get to the heart of what he was most concerned about.

“You said that you’ve wondered about it. Are you saying you’ve wondered about whether or not you have a learning disorder?”

She nodded. “A few years ago, I ran across this made-for-TV movie. It was a family drama about divorce or something, but one of the kids had a learning disorder. I recognized myself in some of the things he did, and I thought about how different school may have been for me if I’d had some indication that this was my issue.”

“All I can go on is what I witnessed with Silas,” Jamar said. “It made all the difference.”