Chicago Trip-Jeff Katz
read more of Jeff’s blog at http://missionofcomplex.wordpress.com/about/
“I really was,” Nate chimed in as his Mom told the story. That phrase, “I really was,” was new to us. It showed Nate was listening, thinking, and reflecting on what he was hearing and what he felt. The delivery was pitch perfect.
When we got back to the room, Nate faced Joey as they sat on the two adjacent Queen sized beds.
“Joey,” Nate asked. “Do you like girls?”
“Yes,” Joey answered, waiting for the usual follow-up about Johnny Test, one of Nate’s favorite cartoon characters. But not this time.
With his head down, Nate said in a quiet conversational tone, almost sheepishly, “What girls do you like?”
We were all shocked by this, so much so that I had to tell Joey to answer. He did, with someone who will remain nameless for this post. I asked Nate if he liked any girls in college, and he haltingly said “Maybe.”
“That was the first real conversation I ever had with Nate,” Joey said afterward.
Nate had a moderate list of “toil aroids” he needed to take. I asked him how many he had. Usually he follows with a number, but this time he said “Not many.” Another sign of growth. As Dylan said, “Something is happening here, and I don’t know what it is.” But it’s good.
There were some typical Nate moments.
The funniest moment came when Nate was getting undressed for the night. He stood next to Joey’s bed, where Joey was lying down. With his underwear still on, Nate took a comic turn.
“I’m naked,” he yelled, covering himself up, arms crossed over his midsection
“No you’re not,” said Joey. With that, Nate dropped his drawers.
“Oh, now you are,” Joey horrified at what he saw, calmly commented. We all cracked up.
We rode the elevator at the Westin with a black couple, probably in their 30′s. Nate was staring at the plastic bag the woman held and, he was getting ready to say something. I can always tell: his face starts twitching a bit, as if he’s gearing up but not sure if he will speak and how.
Very sweetly, he spoke.
“Hello black lady, what restaurant is that from?” he inquired as he pointed to the bag.
“Bob Chinn’s. It’s very good,” she answered kindly. Bob Chinn’s Crab house is legendary in Wheeling.
I wasn’t sure if she had heard him, or not, but I felt compelled to explain when we got out on the fourth floor. She was very nice about it.
Our Chicago trips are usually bittersweet. We love Cooperstown but sorely miss Chicago. It’s the car rule that all musical choices are at the prerogative of the driver. Joey doesn’t drive, so Karen and I give him some say when we’re behind the wheel.
Rob was in the passenger seat, Joey in the way back and Nate behind me in the middle row.
“Can someone play ‘It’s All Too Much? ’” Joey begged.
Rob found it and, shortly after the opening guitar and organ riff, Nate spoke.
“This song is a little sad.”
I sort of heard him, but he was speaking low and I asked him to say it again. He did, and in a quick he was in full blubber. Nate misses our old home the most. He’s very nostalgic for Lincolnshire and the surrounding shopping centers. Once, the boys, my good friend Dan and myself saw Yellow Submarine at The Music Box Theater on Southport Ave in the city. Maybe the song triggered that memory.
We all get so sad when Nate’s sad. I kept asking him what was wrong and, finally, he spilled it.
“I’m sad about leaving Illinois.” He had pulled his black down hood over his eyes to cover his tears, and in the rear view mirror, I could see the lower half of his face, his bottom jaw jutting out, quivering.
“Do you want to pick a new song?”
He picked “Magical Mystery Tour,” thinking that would make him happy, but it took a long time to rebound. I could see Nate trying on lots of happy faces in an attempt to will the tear drops away.
All in all, it was a wonderful way to end 2010 and Nate is ready for his return trip. His plans for us have already begun.
And where is that? Commuting to college at SUNY-Cobleskill, where he just finished his freshman year with a GPA of 2.96.
This article is from Autistic Globetrotting - Autistic Globetrotting - Autism Travel Made Easy. Find more information to make traveling with those affected by autism EASY at Autistic Globetrotting.
