Turtle Wolf and Frog the Crossing

Julie stops in her tracks. She looks around, unsure she heard correctly. Buddy is absorbed in the remaining bites of his meal. He eats with gusto. Julie is unsure he even sees her much less that he said anything.

Furthermore, it’s possible she misheard. After all it had been an extremely eventful morning. Not only has she literally seen a ghost but also she has discovered Buddy sees them too.

She feels as though it’s only the beginning of the many mysteries surrounding Buddy. Indeed, since the day with the other children, she had known there was more to Buddy. In fact, if she is being honest with herself, she had known from the start.

Frog

She begins to worry she may have misheard after all. She no longer feels the need for the restroom. Tim is watching her closely. Furthermore, she feels as though the rest of the restaurant is watching her as well.

Struggling to avoid panic mode again, she looks at Tim and asks quietly if they are ready to leave.

It takes them less than ten minutes to pay and return to the vehicle. Julie needs the movement of the road. It feels like her nerves have been stretched tight. She watches Tim as he buckles Buddy into the rear seat. If he is upset, it is impossible to tell.

Buddy is back on his screen. This feels like it might be the best time to confide in Tim. Of course she feels worried that he won’t believe her. Admittedly, what she wants to talk about is unusual and uncanny. Moreover she is nervous about Tim’s reaction.

Wolf

They leave the parking lot and move onto the interstate, heading in the direction of Happy Kids. Tim is silent and Julie watches the road trying to think of a good place to start. She knows she isn’t crazy. Buddy knows she isn’t crazy. Therefore she is certain Tim will not think she is either.

The roads are congested. Tim eases the car along and checks the rear view mirror. Julie is waiting until they are clear of the heavy traffic. Once they are moving along smoothly and the worst of the traffic is behind, Julie decides she can’t wait anymore.

“Has Buddy always been gifted?” She looks quickly at Tim, then away to the road again.

For his part, Tim is nonplussed. If being Buddy’s dad has taught him anything at all, it’s to expect the unexpected.

Turtle

“He has always shown an ability to know things.” Tim hopes he sounds carefree and not stressed. He really likes Julie, and doesn’t want to cause any uncomfortable feelings. Furthermore he can tell Buddy’s gifts have already upset Julie badly this morning.

They are within ten minutes of Happy Kids. Julie appears to be more settled. Tim decides a little more info might help. However he is having difficulty deciding where to start. He thinks maybe the direct approach will be best.

“He is autistic.” Tim pauses, trying to gather his thoughts, “it isn’t severe, however it isn’t slight either.” Tim pilots the car around slower traffic. The road is clearing more as they near the highway exit. And Tim is nearing revelations he could never have imagined.