The Perfect Family

Chapter 18: Emilie

I can't believe that was the book that Jack wouldn't tell me about. It was so beautiful. I had read a couple excerpts from when he worked on it at home on his laptop, but I never suspected that he had dedicated that book to us. He managed to turn a hectic situation into a form of raising awareness. I have no doubt in my mind that people will be more accepting and open-minded when it comes to autism.

"So, how was that?" Jack asks.

"You were amazing. I'm so proud of you" I answer as I engage him in a long embrace and kiss his cheek when the last of the crowd leaves.

"Thanks. It helped knowing that you were in the crowd supporting me" Jack says he looks at me lovingly.

"Always" I respond as I take his hand and we make our way back to the hotel.

~X~

"Well, we don't have anything else to do for a while, so are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Jack winks.

"Continue watching the hotel channel? Oh, I am there, baby" I joke.

"You know what I mean" Jack laughs.

"Yeah I did. I'll message Riley on Facebook and we'll see if they're up for it" I say as I grab my phone out of my pocket. Two seconds later, I get a response from Riley that reads:

Sure, let me just get Maddox settled with his juice.

"Hi, mama" Julia says as her face appears on the screen.

"Hi, Julia. Where are you brothers and Lucy?" I ask, desperately wanting to see Kyson because he was napping last time and just have Maddox look up at me for once since we've been gone.

"Maddox is in the playroom, Lucy is napping and Kyson is with Riley" Julia responds as she fiddles with her braid and gestures for Riley to come forward. 

"Hey, how was the book signing?" Riley asked as Kyson screamed in her arms as he saw us.

"Hi, baby" I smiled as Kyson's eyes met mine. "Oh, Riley. It was amazing. The convention center was flooded with people".

"I saw interview with Oliver Bradley. It was so sweet. Jack, you made my heart swell with the way you talked about the book" Riley sighs.

"Thanks, Riles. The words are this easy when you believe in the cause" Jack responds.

We end up talking to the kids the entire night and eventually Maddox does communicate with us. Skype shows us that Riley has trouble putting him down for bed, so we use the technology blessed opportunity to sing Catching a Falling Star to help him fall asleep; a strategy that works on all the kids.

"Works like a charm" Jack and I say in unison.

"Wow, that is amazing. I'll have to remember that the next time I babysit them" Riley sighs as she tucks Maddox in and gently slips his Curious George doll under his right arm.

"Good night, kids" Jack says just as the call ends.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The following morning at breakfast, I find out just how big of an impact Jack's book has on people. As we finish getting our food, Jack and I sit at a table that is close to the exit. Across from us, Jack spots a man and woman, both have dark hair and green eyes reading Endless Journey. We don't intend on eavesdropping, but since they seem so close to us, we can't help but try to decipher what they are saying.

"Its such a beauty piece of literature, and I can't believe we actually saw him in person" the woman says as she hugs the man.

"You are worth it. I'm glad we saw him too. He's a true hero" the man responds. I assume since they are reading his book that they are talking about Jack.