An Angel's Tail

Chapter 2

When I was born, there was seemingly nothing wrong with me. However, as I got older, my parents noticed that I didn't quite act like the other kids. At the age of four, I was tested for and diagnosed with Autism. My dad, Jason, was very supportive and accepting. My mom, Amber, however, not as much. She did everything in her power to make sure I fit in with the other kids. Her intentions were good. I know. But, if I ever did anything "weird" in public, such as stimming or carrying a comfort item, she would scold me for it.

I loved music. I love to sing and play the piano, and one of my favorite things to carry around with me was a little keyboard my dad bought me for my fifth birthday. I would spend hours playing that thing, making up songs, and singing my heart out. My dad was my biggest fan. I would play for my mom, too, hoping she would acknowledge my love for music. She never seemed to like it. She would always ask me to play somewhere else, because I was being too loud for her to hear her shows and movies.

I also loved soft things, particularly sweaters and knitted blankets. My grandmother knitted me a shawl that I would wear everywhere. It was so soft and fluffy and tickly. I would often rub it against my face, giggling and squealing softly, and repeating the word "sweater." My dad thought it was hilarious and cute. My mom, however, thought it was embarrassing, and she would often tell me to stop when we were in public.

I remember the first day of kindergarten. My mom sat me down, and lectured me on how to behave. I was not allowed to take my shawl or my little keyboard, and I had to act like the other kids. Her reason? The other kids would laugh at me, and I wouldn't make any friends. I walked into my kindergarten class, terrified of making a fool out of myself, getting laughed at by the other kids, and my mom berating me for it if she found out. I get that she was trying to protect me, but I always wished she could be more like Dad.

There were about twenty kids total in that class, and we were all separated into tables of four. I took my seat at my table, and I was shaking.

"Hi!" a very perky and cheerful voice greeted me.

I looked over to my right, and saw a very pretty girl with curly blond hair. She was smiling at me. "Hi," I said shyly.

"Your dress is so pretty," she said sweetly.

I was wearing a blue dress with yellow suns scattered all over it. It was one of my favorite dresses. "Thanks. I like your dress, too."

"Thank you! Look! It has a zipper on it!" She giggled, and zipped it up and down. "Isn't that cute?"

I smiled. "That's really cool. It looks pretty on you."

"Aww, thank you. I love zippers. Do you like zippers?"

"No, not wearing them."

"THat's okay. You have your own style, and it's perfect for you."

"Thanks."

"I'm Honey. What's your name?"

"Madison."

"That's so pretty."

"Thanks. Your name is pretty, too."

"Thank you. Wanna be my friend?"

Oh, my gosh! Did I actually just make a friend within five minutes of being there? My mom would be so proud... hopefully. "Sure!"

And, that was that. When Mom picked me up, I told her that I'd made a friend. But, instead of saying how happy she was, she asked if I "behaved" myself. I said "yes," as I did my best to be just like the other kids.