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“Sure. Do you want to go for a swim now, after dinner or tomorrow morning?”
“Tomorrow morning, please.” He yawns and I know he will sleep soundly tonight.
“Not a problem, sweetie.”
I take him to his room and get his clothes unpacked and into the small bureau. I leave him to get accustomed to his new space and go to my own room. I notice that unlike home where Ryan is between Sylvia and Lucan, my room is in the middle. I hang up a few dresses and freshen up in the bathroom. As I step back into the main area, I run smack into Lucan.
“Oh! Excuse me!”
“Not a problem. I was just coming to get you. There’s someone I want you and Ryan to meet. Could you get him please?”
I get Ryan into the living area just as the bell rings. Lucan answers and returns with two young ladies. By their attire, I know they are hotel staff.
“Ryan, I’d like you to meet Nicole and Susan. They are your very own soldiers while we’re here.”
“My own soldiers? But they’re real!”
Nicole comes forward with a smile. “Of course we’re real, sweetie. And Susan and I are here to play with you whenever you want. Would you like that?”
Ryan looks at them in awe. I look at Lucan and wink. Good move playing the soldier card to get Ryan to drop his guard.
“My own soldiers.” Then Ryan does a surprising thing by turning to me. “Is that okay, Summer?”
I look at Lucan, unsure what to say. He comes to the rescue. “I’d like you to enjoy this trip as well so I asked the hotel to send me their best nannies to pitch in and help if we need them. Nicole and Susan are at your beck and call.”
I turn to Ryan. “It’s okay with me, sweetie.”
Lucan smiles. “Great. Now that that’s all settled, let’s shake off this jet lag and get ready for dinner.”
I take Ryan to his room and am not surprised to find that he has laid out his toys precisely. He has also attempted to remove the blanket and I finish doing it for him. Wordlessly, I fish his blanket out of his suitcase and place it across the bed.
There are some behaviors of his that I have noted that remind me of some of my students. And the more I interact with him, the more I suspect he is autistic. He is verbal and functional but autistic nevertheless.
I remember little incidents like the restaurant and the reaction to the placement of the cake. Looking at the little boy who handled the five-hour flight like a trouper, it is hard to find the child who was in a full meltdown because of a spot on his jeans when I handed him over to Sylvia on Friday. He has his good days when my strategies work, and his bad days when I have to go back into my bag of tricks and create some new ones just for him.
But him, I can deal with just fine. However, the adults, Sylvia, Lucan, and all the others, they might prove a bit of a challenge.
The body of research in this area improves every day, so a diagnosis is no longer something taboo. Nevertheless, what justifiable right could I have to tell these adults how to raise the child they have had for years after my knowing him for a few weeks?
I have to steel myself for the inevitable discussion with Lucan and Sylvia when I deliver the news. I have to break Ryan down for them and school them in how to deal with him. Then there is the testing and official diagnosis. That would be just the start of our journey.
I listen as he hums to himself while straightening the items on the dresser, unaware of the decisions that will have to be made in order for him to have a normal life. Oh the bliss and innocence of childhood. If only we could all remain in that state forever.
Chapter Eight
Lucan
Ihavetohandit to Sylvia. I know her motives were personal but I see myself having some good bonding time with Ryan on this trip. And it does not hurt to have Summer around as well. I have found myself being drawn to her to the point of distraction. For the first time since my breakup, something other than my clubs has my serious attention. I get ready for dinner and pour a drink from the bar while I wait for Summer and Ryan to emerge. Ryan is wearing jeans and a shirt. He has his tablet and headphones in hand in case he needs a slight distraction at some point in the evening. Summer has her hair pulled back into a single braid. Her simple top is tucked into her jeans. She has a purse with her to where she gently slips in the tablet and headphones she takes from Ryan. She smiles at me as she takes his hand.
“All ready.”
“Great.”
When we get to the dining room, we are ushered to an exclusive area where gold standard members dine. Rather than have to fend for ourselves at the buffet, we have wait staff serving us. Summer is enjoying the perks and it makes me happy to see her enjoyment.
“Lucan, in case I forget, I want to say thank you for giving me this experience.”
“It’s only the first evening, dear.” The endearment just slips through. I watch her to see how she’ll react. The slight pink taint on her cheeks is just delicious.
