Parent Stories (A Percy Jackson Fanfic)

Chapter 5: Esperanza and Leo

Originally Written: April 2 2015. Rewrite: September 13 2017. Also, art credit to Viria.

No idea where this chapter is going so bear with me here.

Leo is 6. Esperanza's POV

I was at Leo's school, in the car line for pick up. I see him and he looks so happy laughing with his friend, Ryan. He sees me and waves. After he hopes in our beat up SUV he says

"Hi Mom! Guess what?!" and without waiting he continues "We started Spanish today and my teacher says I'm the most advanced she's seen in a long time! And she said that if I keep it up, she can move me to Spanish II!"I grin. 

"That's great mijo. Let's celebrate!" I say. He gasps, eyes widening with excitement.

"How?" He asks. He may be only a scrappy six year old kid, but he knows our financal state.

"Ice cream." I say. He grins ear to ear and cheers. When we pull into the ice cream parlor, he looks at me questioningly.

"What kind can I get?" He asks, looking at all of the options.

"Any one that you want." I reply.  And so he got Superman. I get mint chocolate chip. I ask Leo about his other subjects, his friends, how he likes the robotics club (every Wesnesday and Friday they meet up at the high school and build). He says good for all of them and then ask how my work and projects are going. I reply with good too.

"I have one more suprise for you." I say

"What is it? What is it?" He asks over and over again.

"Close your eyes and I'll take you there. I'll guid you so you don't fall."  I instruct. After he ask me where we are going many many times, we finally reach the door.

"Open your eyes." I barely get the words out when he shouts. 

"WOOHOO!!!!!!" Not many kids are happy about Home Depot but Leo is special.

"Whatever you want mijo." I say, and he wanders over to the power tools, and I quickly add, "Within reason."  He starts going crazy. We searched the store and ended up getting a new set of tools, a lot of wood, sheets of metal, nuts and bolts, and I choose a sketch book, pencils and paint.

"For your ideas." I explain. He looks the happiest I've seen him in a long time.

The next day, after school, I take him to my workshop. When we get there, We set up a corner just for him. I had a spare set of drawers and an old drill I give to him too. We set up a sign that says  "Leo's Corner" on it. Now after school, we go there and work for a few hours. Leo is so proud of his corner and he makes all sorts of things. His friends think he's got amazing skills, and he progresses even more in robotics. All because of Leo's Spanish skills.

Hola. Sorry I couldn't resist the urge to make at least a few people groan. Just a little Leo Valdez for ya. So tomorrow I'm going to the beach and I'm going to scream PERCY at the top of my lungs ;-)