Page 40 of Summer of the Boy

“Know you can, Rid. Just keep in mind, it’s really hard—”

“That’s what she said,” he cuts me off. My boyfriend, my autistic boyfriend made a ‘that’s what she said’ joke. And she thinks I’m a bad influence?Please?We both throw our heads back and laugh in a way, I for one, haven’t laughed in far too long. When we’ve both pretty much calmed down he holds my hand, eyes pinned to a spot outside. “John said when I tell my mom about us, then I should start taking you out on real dates. Movies, ballgames, whatever. Just you know, couple’s things.”

“I’d love to, Rid. What do you think about it? Big step putting us out there for the world.”

“What do I think? I think I have the best boyfriend in the world and people should know. I have autism so it’s harder, might take longer for me to understand or express my feelings. But you know I still feel, like any other man.”

“You have nothing to prove to me or for me. I know what we have.”

“Are you kidding? I have more to prove to you than anybody. You’re the one taking the chance on me. You have the right to expect as much from me as any normal boyfriend.”

“Hey. Youarea normal boyfriend.” I use my firm tone, the talk him down from a meltdown tone.

“Not yet,” he counters. “Because I haven’t taken you out on any real dates. We hang out, but you deserve more. Mom knows now. So you’re just going to have to deal and date me.”

I cover my mouth to suppress the laugh which desperately wants to bubble back up, and I breathe in through my nose, hold it, then tell him, “Okay. I’ll deal…and date you.”

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