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Short anactdote

BUMPING INTO OLD FRIENDS

 When Charles was still quite young we bumped into someone I hadn’t seen for a long time in our local supermarket. Charles began to talk excessively about robot wars, which was something he had started to do and to anyone who would listen. She stared at him and asked how he was doing now, while commenting on how differently he talked.
‘Different; from what?’ I asked.

‘I mean, he speaks so precisely, his words…’ Now she looked uncomfortable and her voice trailed off.

‘Probably because he has speech therapy,’ I said.
She glanced down to watch Charles wriggling all over the floor, pretending to swim. Again I found myself excusing him, telling her he’s autistic. Instantly I felt annoyed with myself for feeling the need to explain to everyone.
I asked Charles to get up, and for once he did as he was told. He then lurched forward and wrapped his arms around her legs. She stepped back, alarmed. Her eyes were as large as saucers, jaw wide open.
‘Well, we must be going,’ I said, as I dragged Charles away.
I always felt I was being judged by people, which left me feeling embarrassed, I’m not sure why.  Some people didn’t have a clue what we were going through and most likely didn’t care either.       
All I did know is that it was the loneliest feeling in the world.
A bit later on, as we approached the tills, Charles thought he saw this person again and instantly let go of the trolley. Before I could say a word, he’d run off towards them, waving and giving a complete stranger a bear hug.
‘Come here,’ I shouted,’ that’s not who you think it is.’
Astonished faces stared.

Toys, thank goodness, distracted him. My face was burning and I sensed that I was the entertainment of at least two tills down.

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