Page 15 of Summer of the Boy

His condition? “Ridley, you’re autistic. It’s not a condition.”

“It’s what they called it. What Mom calls it.”

Of course, she does. A condition would require her to be up in his business for the rest of his life. Rid’s so high functioning, he could have a real life if she cut those apron strings and allowed him to be a man.

“I don’t want to hear you call it a condition again,” I say.

His hands.

Open.

Close.

Uh-uh.

“Stop Rid, I’m not mad at you. I just don’t want you thinking there’s something wrong with being autistic. You wear it proudly.”

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