Oh - I do remember feeling that about John, that he was really too bright but not able to channel it (which would be my personal sort of pre-knowing-about-these-things code for introvert), so he got in trouble instead. I know a lot of shy, intelligent people that were just bored with school and that whole time period, and so no one ever knew they were smart and just thought they were fuck-ups.

Also - I have to say that it took me a long time to get into what I was feeling more than the immediate, happy or sad, satisfied or not, bored, sort of things. Complicated feelings were tough for me, and I tended to pick the happiest emotion and run with that (led to some pretty poor relationship choices). I'm still not one to analyze my own feelings, though I'm getting better about it. I think the thing I lucked out on was being a bit of an extrovert (I can talk through things with people (or on the internet) and get a group analysis, or at least more things to think about). I think having difficulty with your emotions *and* being an introvert would be tough as all get out. My happy thoughts for your son and for you, in finding ways to communicate with him.

And yes - I can definitely see this reading of Sheppard more clearly now. thank you for that!