His Song

Chapter 9: So Close!

It was the weekend after Halloween, and we were going down to see Royse and Darnell at their house at Rocky River in Kentucky. They said I could bring a friend, so I asked Autumn first. She said she has Student Council stuff to do. My next option was Brendan, and of course said yes.

We pull into his long driveway to get him, and we honk the van's horn really loud. Brendan walks out of his house with a bag full of clothes enough for one night. I open the side door on the van and yell, "Get in the car, loser! We're going shopping!" Amy laughs, and Brendan gets in the very back seat (like the third row) with me. Kayla and Nee were riding with Helena in her car, and in the van was me, Brendan, my dad, Amy, and Amy's older brother, Todd, who we were going to pick up. Todd has Down syndrome, and I didn't know how Brendan was going to be. It was like a test. I wanted to see how he would do with my family, along with Amy's family.

"Oh God," Brendan says. I ask, "What?" He answers with a question, "Are we going to the place that's two hours away?" I answer, "Yep!" Oops. Brendan asks, "So what's the plan?" I respond, "We're going to pick up Amy's brother, Todd, and we're going to make a bee line to McDaniels." Brendan nods and asks Amy, "Amy, what will your brother think of me?" My dad, Amy, and I laugh a little at his fear. Amy answers, "He'll love you, Brendan. Trust me." I had to tell Brendan about him. "Todd has Down syndrome." Brendan nods and says, "It's cool. My uncle back in New Jersey has Down syndrome. It's really no big deal."

As we're driving to Charlestown, my dad started asking Brendan questions. "So Brendan, is that a lip ring you got in?"

He answers, "Yeah! I've had it for about a year."

"What's your full name?"

"Brendan Oliver Truscott."

"Where are you from? I know you're from Jersey, but where in Jersey?"

"Belleville."

"Have you ever done drugs?"

I could tell Brendan was getting uncomfortable. "No sir."

"Had sex?"

"No sir."

"Have you had alcohol?"

"Well, when I was about six, I accidentally drank out of my mom's cup that was Sunkist spiked with some sort of alcohol."

"The first rule of business is to not call me sir. It makes me feel weird. Second is to not be 'doing the do' with my daughter. Finally, don't break her heart."

I smiled a little, and Amy goes, "Aww! Babe, I think you were making him a little uncomfortable. Are you two even together?" I answer, "No, we're just friends." My dad goes, "Ah, I see."

We pull into Amy's mom and step-dad's driveway. My dad honks the horn, and Todd comes out with a tote bag for clothes and toiletries. He opens the side door on the van and says, "Hi B!" I reply, "Hey Todd!" He looks at Brendan and says, "Hi I'm Todd!" and holds out his hand for Brendan to shake. He shakes it and introduces himself kindly. "I'm Brendan. Nice to meet you!" Todd replies, "Nice to meet you, too!" My dad turns on some classic rock music, and Brendan texts me.

Brendan: Firm, but not too firm

I couldn't help but laugh my butt off, and Brendan does the same. Todd turns around and goes, "Aww, lovebirds!" We both blush, and I say, "No, no, we're just friends." Amy yells from the passenger's seat over the music, "Really? I beg to differ!" I couldn't help but laugh again.

~~~

As we're driving down the road, I ask Brendan, "Do you play any other instument besides guitar?" He answers, "Bass, drums, piano, saxophone, and my throat." I ask in disbelief, "You play saxophone?" He answers, "Yeah! I played in band in Belleville, but they wouldn't let me join in Madison." I add on to his soon-to-be rant. "But they let you be in Spanish."