Cleaning Out My Closet

Chapter Four

Here's chapter four everybody! For those of you that have been waiting for this story to take off, don't worry, it's coming real soon :) I actually wrote over half this chapter in my notebook during class than retyped it on here, so feel free to point out spelling errors. I just had to keep writing, I love this story!

This chapter is dedicated to my husband Jay, for supporting me and reading all my works even if he can't stand books. He gave me an entire room devoted to my constantly growing library, and what writer doesn't love their own study! He's crazy and can always makes me laugh, the best friend I've got, and totally deserves this dedication. I lurve you studmuffin :)

Okay, sorry, mushy time over hahaha. Enjoy this chapter everybody, and review, vote, and fan!

Kelsi

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Truth: the most deadly weapon ever discovered by humanity.

John Gilmore

                My favorite days of the week: Tuesday and Thursday. The two days out of the week I work at the local preschool, from 3:30 to 7. When I first got the job, I wasn’t all that excited to start-I imagined all the kids being like my little brother and sister, but I guess when they’re not around you every waking minute of the day, it’s different.

                My favorite part of work is the one-on-one time with Grayson, a small three year old with autism. When I was first instructed to spend some time with him one-on-one, I was really nervous. I only knew the basics about autism-some kids were super smart, and they all followed a strict schedule. But there’s so much more to my time with Grayson-he’s attached to me now, and relies on our time together.

                I smile as he sits on the floor, separating all the blocks by color. It’s one of his favorite things to do-organize things into patterns he can understand. Most of our time is spent this way, and at first I thought he didn’t care if I was there. However, when I couldn’t make it to work one day when I was sick, I was shocked to find out he was out of sorts the whole time during our usual session-he simply lay on the floor, screaming. No one could get him to stop.

                I’ve never missed a day of work since.

                “That’s dark blue,” I said soothingly. He only nodded, his eyes never leaving the dark blue circular block in his small hands. He doesn’t talk yet either, but that doesn’t mean he can’t communicate with me.

                I tapped on the block in his hands, and he looked up at me. I touched my finger to my lips, repeating the word.

                “Blue,” I said slowly, making my lips form the word clearly.

                “Mm-boo,” he said, and I smiled widely.

                “Very good!” I exclaimed, clapping my hands. His cherubic face lit up and he clapped his hands along with me, turning his attention to them instead, repeating the gesture over and over. I gently covered his hands with mine to draw his attention back to his blocks. If I didn’t stop him, he could continue until he stopped to eat or sleep. Besides his inability to speak, his intense concentration is the only thing that gives away his autism.

                Coming in to see Grayson and the other kids on Tuesdays and Thursdays are the highlights of my week, and my mom’s always amazed by my mood when I come home.