LOOSING HOPE

ATES LEARNS A LIFE LESSON

Two weeks later

It had been two weeks since Ates broke his arm falling out of a tree. Ates loved his cast at first and gloated to everyone about it. Now he did nothing both complain. It was to heavy....his arm itched, and he couldn't scratch it....it made him hot....he wanted it off already. Sanem was starting to lose her patience with him. She reminded him he made a poor decision and that was how he ended up in that cast. She told him he had 4 more weeks, before the doctor would take it off. He would always walk away grumbling. It was everyday of complaining. She finally told Can to deal with his son because she was finally at her wit's end. Can went to talk to Ates. Can explained that Ates had to leave the cast on for 6 weeks in order for his broken bone to heal. He asked Ates if he wanted a crooked arm for the rest of his life. Can told him other kids would be mean and tease him. Ates told his father he would just beat them up. Can told him there were no answers by using your fists. Ates told his father he understood, and he would stop complaining.

Can came back out of Ates's bedroom and told Sanem the problem was solved. Sanem asked him how he did it. Can said he told their son if the cast came off to early, then his arm would not heal, and it would be crooked. He told her the other kids would make fun of him. Sanem asked what Ates said. Can thought he would tease Sanem a little. Can said Ates was just going to beat up anyone that made of him. Sanem asked Can what he said to that. Can said he told Ates OK. Sanem looked at him like he had grown 2 heads. Sanem asked why he would say such an idiotic thing to their son. Can smiled and told her he was kidding. He explained to Ates that there were never any answers by using your fists. Ates agreed with him and said he would stop complaining. Sanem smiled and gave her husband a quick kiss. Sanem laid her hand against the side of his face and told him he was an excellent father.

The next day at the agency, the director of the animal shelter telephoned Can. She wanted to thank him and Sanem for all of their help with the advertisement for the shelter. They have been nonstop busy all afternoon. The shelter had lost most of their animals due to adoptions. The shelter now had room for more homeless animals. The director was deeply appreciative. Can told her she was very welcome, and if they ever needed more help, please call them. The director promised she would. Can got off the phone and informed Sanem of his conversation with the director. Sanem was so happy. She gave her husband a big hug and a kiss.

Can and Sanem began work on the hair products campaign. Can left most of it up to Sanem and her team. He knew nothing about hair products. Sanem went to the conference room with her team to discuss their angle on the hair product campaign. Can went downstairs to the day care to check on their children. Ates was off sitting by himself. He looked upset. Can went over to him and asked him what was wrong. Ates said the other boys told him he looked like a freak with the cast on his arm. Can took his son by the hand and walked him upstairs to the agency. He informed the day care workers prior to leaving that Atesh would be with him. Can took Ates to his office and he sat down across from his dad. Can explained to Atesh he would probably get picked on, called names and feel left out all through school. He explained that kids could be mean and hateful at times. Can told his son he would have to learn to ignore such people. He told Ates if kids were not corrected at home, then it tends to follow that kid throughout life. He told Ates he was to never make fun or pick on another child. He explained to Ates that sometimes you don't know their situation at home. The kid could be homeless...he could be abused at home...he might not even be living with his actual parents. So, that is why you never pick on or bully another child. Ates said he understood.

Sanem entered Can's office and was surprised to see their son sitting there with Can. She asked Can what happened. Can explained the situation to Sanem. Sanem asked Ates if he was OK. Ates smiled and said he was fine now. He had a nice talk with his dad. Sanem looked at Can and whispered the word later, which meant he would explain when Ates wasn't around. Sanem asked Can if he was ready to head out for lunch. Can said yep. He was starving. Ates said me too. All three headed out the door to get lunch. They walked to a local pizzeria and ordered pizza. It was Ates's favorite food. Can also ordered soda. Sanem limited the kids on their soda so she was OK with Ates drinking one with his lunch. They ate until they were all full. Can asked Ates what he wanted to do. He could either go back to the daycare or go back with them to the office. Ates told him he wanted to stay with them. Can told him it was fine. They headed back to the agency.

They entered Can and Sanem's office. Sanem was still trying to rack her brain for a campaign slogan for the hair product line. Ates spoke up and said, "Feel the Glow". Sanem just looked at her son in shock. Can started laughing. Sanem could not figure out how a 5-year-old could come up with a slogan for a hair care product. Sanem told him it was a wonderful slogan. Can looked at Sanem and told her Ates takes after her. He has a creative mind and he works fast. Sanem smiled at Can mischievously and told him Ates gets his working fast mind from his father. Can smiled at her and told her not to go there. Sanem laughed. She went out to tell her team that had their slogan. It was now Can's turn to take the pictures of the hair care products. Can told her set them up in the conference room and he and Ates would go take the pictures. Sanem told him OK.

Can had Ates follow him to the conference room so he could get the pictures taken. Ates was helping his dad set the lights up just right. Can let him take a few pictures. Can told his son one day this agency would be his to run, along with his sisters and any children that Uncle Emre and Aunt Leyla may have. Can told him he was getting a head start on learning the advertising business. Ates told his dad awesome. After the pictures were taken, they headed back to Can and Sanem's office. Can asked Sanem if she was ready to call it a day. Sanem said she definitely was. They went and collected the girls at the day care and headed home.