It has been awhile since I last posted a blog. I would use the “I have been too busy” excuse but that would simply imply that other things are more important and that is not the case. The main reason is deciding which story to tell – there have been a few! I have chosen to highlight the importance of having good neighbours when you have an adult son with autism. We have truly been blessed with great neighbours over the years who have taken the time to get to know and understand Alex. In some past blogs, I have highlighted some funny storeys involving some great neighbours. The comedic drama continues!
Alex appears to be in a good place these days. He is happy, less anxious, and less stressed. He is still working on appropriate behaviours in public and his independence skills. He has had some great opportunities to volunteer this past year which he seems to enjoy and at which he appears to do a good job. He has also shown a heightened interest in all things Comicon, Con Bravo, Fan Expo and Toy Con. He looks forward to these events for months before hand.
Now costume decisions prior to these events can become quite a dilemma. Alex creates hybrid characters, or for that matter, just makes up characters, which combine any number of features: army fatigues, a WWE t-shirt and a Pokémon or anime hat. The latest costume involved knee pads, elbow pads, a Che Guevara hat, a black vest, and face make-up to resemble a zombie. According to Alex, “people will know who I am Mom – it’s all about originality”. I just smile and work on my zombie scar creations (I may have missed my calling as a make-up artist).
The latest costume also involved a police sheriff’s badge and handcuffs. Alex insisted on getting the more “authentic” looking ones from the costume store. With ConBravo approaching on Sunday, Friday night became Alex’s dress rehearsal. I had just left for a surprise party when I got a call. “Mom, it’s me Alex. Don’t get mad but I have done something kind of dumb”. “What is kind of dumb Alex?” I replied. “Well, I thought I would check out my new handcuffs, you know, make sure they work, and I accidentally handcuffed myself. Can you please come home immediately?” “Well not immediately Alex, I am in a room full of people about to yell surprise – give me five minutes. I will call you back”. “Okay – maybe I will make my way over to the neighbours – they can get me out of this pickle. “
Well, that’s what they did and none too soon as Alex claimed that his blood supply was close to cutting off. According to Alex “they saved my life”. As my neighbour replied afterwards, after I profusely thanked him, “Yes we were a bit surprised when he showed up in handcuffs. We told him he’s no Houdini! Always happy to help.”
Fast forward to the next Sunday, when Vern and I were headed out to a soccer match and Alex asked “hey can I get pizza for dinner?” “No Alex, we have lots of leftovers for dinner that you can heat up. You don’t need to get pizza.” “Okay – well enjoy your match”. We were gone about an hour when we got a phone call from our neighbour. “Hey guys, no big deal, but just wanted to let you know that Alex just called me – did not want me to tell you guys – that he had to get to the mall by 6 pm because he had a date.” “A date?” I said with astonishment. I looked at Vern and said “do you know anything about Alex having a date?” Vern’s response was just as surprising “a date? No”. Our neighbour explained “I just thought I should let you guys know, as it seemed a bit sketchy. He was really upset that he was going to be late if he walked so asked me if I could drop him off. I said no problem but that he should let you guys know and he said he would. I am just calling to check. “ “Well he has not called us yet. This should be interesting. Thanks we really appreciate the call” we replied.
On the way home from the match we called Alex. He said everything was fine. We asked him about his “date”. He said he didn’t want to talk about it – it was a long story. I said we could chat when we got home. Then we got a second call from our neighbour. “Hi again guys, just wanted to let you know Alex called me back about ½ an hour after I dropped him off. Told me he was really upset that his date stood him up and he was stuck all alone with the pizza he ordered for them. He was about to walk home and wondered if I could pick him up because he was pretty upset. I told him I wouldn’t mind. I mean, I felt so bad for him he seemed pretty sad.” “Thanks we appreciate it – we will talk to Alex when we get home” I said.
Then the real story came to light. It seems Alex loves pizza more than love itself. You see after I told him he should not be calling the neighbours to drive him around and he should be letting us know about “dates” since that is a big deal, he admitted there was no “date”. He just really wanted a pizza and knew we had said no. He figured he would make up a date, then pretend he got stood up, buy his pizza and get a ride home. “It seemed like a good plan at the time Mom, too bad I got busted. Maybe I should think about going into acting. Seems I was very believable to the neighbours. I will apologize to them.”
Never a dull day, never a dull character – even one who will fake a date for the love of pizza! Thank you to all the great neighbours who have shared in the lighter side of autism.