boy wonder

I met with Alexander today for a math lesson and gave him some new vocabulary words, too, as math and reading/writing lessons seem to be commingling. One reason is that funny-sounding words tickle out our laughter.
Last week I defined the words oriental and occidental, beautiful words used throughout classic literature. I told him that some people are sensitive about the word oriental and asked, “Why is that?” Alexander is Asian American. His response was, “Why are you asking me?”
He schooled me with that response.
His mother and I talked about that and some other things. She told me that he is very sensitive to people in need of help, and that is more so than I.
After being tested and retested, his IQ is in a range where the number is not relevant, it’s that high. It is said that Musk’s IQ is in the 150s, that area where numbers no longer compute.
He is still a boy I can tease, and now he can give it right back.