As Dougie rested in the recovery room wrapped tightly in his weighted blanket, Temple Grandin sat beside him quietly while Gwace gathered all 230 comfort items back into their bags.
His swollen lip still hurt a little, but he looked much calmer now that the infection had been drained. He held his plush banana toy against his chest and slowly tapped on his AAC device.
"Wockwell campus."
Gwace smiled softly. "Yep, buddy. We're heading to Francis Tuttle Technology Center."
Dougie pressed more buttons carefully.
"Temple come." "Pwease." "Best fwiend."
Temple Grandin's expression softened immediately.
"You want me to come with you to Project SEARCH?" she asked gently.
Dougie nodded hard enough that his blankets slipped off one shoulder. He quickly reached for her sleeve so she would know he meant it.
Gwace laughed quietly. "I don't think he wants to let you leave."
Temple smiled warmly at him. "Well, I suppose I could visit the Rockwell campus with my best buddy for a while."
The second Dougie heard that, he visibly relaxed. He hugged his plush toy tightly and happily pressed: "Yay." "Temple." "Pwoject swearch."
Soon they were all driving together toward Francis Tuttle Technology Center. Dougie sat between piles of blankets and sensory toys while Temple talked calmly with him about favorite routines, comfort items, and the Project SEARCH program.
When they arrived at the campus, several interns and staff noticed Temple Grandin walking in beside Dougie.
"Wow, Dougie," one staff member said with a smile. "You brought a very special visitor today."
Dougie grinned tiredly and pressed: "Best fwiend."
Temple spent the afternoon sitting with him in the quiet sensory area while he watched videos on his iPad and sorted through his comfort items. At one point Gwace even surprised him with a brand-new pair of Project SEARCH scrubs.
Dougie immediately hugged them against his chest.
Temple chuckled softly. "I think those might become his new favorite scrubs."
For the first time all day, Dougie seemed completely peaceful - surrounded by comfort items, safe routines, Gwace, and his best friend at the familiar comfort of the Rockwell campus.
