heart to heart talk

After I took a deep breath I promised myself I would not get after T.  He was already punished (and, for once, seemed upset about it) and so I decided that I am going to have a heart to heart talk with him.  It was noon when he arrived home from school.  He was beat.  And I know he was hungry. And you know what they say about the way to a "man's" heart is through his stomach, so I offer to take him to his favorite place for food, Chipotle.  I told him that, if I take him to eat, he has to agree to go with me to the park so we can talk.  He did.  On the way, however, he asks me if I would buy him cigarettes.  My first reaction was to say "no" and I did.  So - he wants me to turn around an go home, and I do.  On the way back home I thought this is NOT the way I had pictured this, so I concede and decide this is not the battle I want to fight.  So he gets his cigs, and his food and we drive to the park by the lake.  A beautiful day, no less.  And we talk - prefacing how much his dad and love him.  I told him that I know that this whole grad thing is upsetting to him and that failing once again in school has to feel awful but.....things WILL get better.  I told him that this just might not be the time for school.  I told him that he is so personable, very creative, and smart.  He has gifts that he doesn't even seem to see.  I told him one day he will see it and find his way.  T seemed to respond to what I say.  He told me he is interested in going to the on-line high school diploma school that is offered by the district.  He may have blown his changes since there only two seats available.  His behavior and attendance may have bumped him.  I told him that but then said PLAN B would then for him to get his GED.  Even that is not the end of the world.  T's counselor told us that he has a friend who received his GED but is now a doctor.  My brother had only one semester left in college and didn't graduate but he is extremely successful.  So I guess I was trying to tell him not to give up, which obviously he has been doing.  Maybe he's just not ready.  He's young for his grade and there are many who are a whole year or more older than him.  Technically, he is the age of many who are graduating next year.