I checked into it and then had a plan for the next time I would interact with Luke.

———————————————————

Well… I thought I had a plan. I can’t even remember what it was now but that doesn’t matter. What matters is that I cared enough to be paying attention when an opportunity arose to make a difference.

And one did arise.

I see Luke quite often but there is no guarantee that I will be his driver on any given night and sometimes, weeks can go by before I happen to be assigned to take him home from work. There are also occasions in which other passengers are on board. Luke rarely speaks when that happens. Fortunately, Luke and I were alone that night he really needed me to be his driver. I say he needed me… because that’s the way he put it.

He needed me.

He must have been running. Out of breath and sweating, Luke let out an audible sigh of relief as he approached the van and saw me behind the wheel. He smiled and stepped on board.

“Brian, I am very glad it’s you. I was… praying that it was, was, was you. I was saying over and over… please let it be Brian, let it be Brian, let it be Brian.”

Something had happened. I’ll never know what it was. Luke never told me… or I didn’t pick up on the reason he really needed to see me that night. Our conversation during the drive to his house seemed like any of the others we had had. I guess that’s what he’d needed most. For things to be familiar and/or normal. And they were. I’m happy to say that although it was very obvious that he had been in distress before getting on the van, I had the presence of mind to be fully present.

That, is what Luke needed. For someone to simply be present with him.

Over the several months since then, Luke and I have had many good conversations. Usually about movies, but occasionally he discusses his desire to someday buy a Tesla Model S electric car, and he’s even mentioned an upcoming trip with his father.

Luke still speaks in the same fast stutter as before, but now it seems to be more from enthusiasm than anxiety. He also still talks to me about My Little Pony sometimes, but ever since I told him that I really have no interest in the cartoon, he no longer pushes it.

These days, I think Luke may even be slowing his normally rapid-fire way of speaking a bit but this New Years Eve (Dec. 31st, 2017) was an exception. He was more excited than usual. From our regular talks, I know how much of a Star Wars fan Luke is and the much anticipated Episode VIII: The Last Jedi had been out for more than two weeks already. There was no way he had not seen it. I had. But I had not seen Luke since before the movie’s release, so as soon as I saw his name on my manifest, I made sure I was ready to discuss the film with him.

Of course Star Wars was all we talked about that whole ride. Luke had already seen it twice and was now making speculations about possible future developments in the story I had not thought of. It was obvious I would have to see it again too and I said so.

A few times Luke commented about the increasingly intense private fireworks displays happening all around us as we got closer to his house in Ewa Beach. But I’m thinking that our conversation, our connection was too compelling for much of anything to distract my young friend. And I really do think he feels a true friendship now.

And I feel so very blessed to have this opportunity.

The opportunity to practice.

To practice getting out of my comfort zone. As I mentioned in part three of this story…

Of all the people with disabilities (and developmental disabilities in particular) I’ve worked with over the years, I’ve had the most difficulty finding a comfortable and/or successful way to interact with those who have autism.

I’m so glad Luke decided to make the effort and speak to me. To allow me to feel like I’m helping him.

This has helped me to no end.

This has shown me how the practice never ends.

That (like this blog) the evidence of that practice is…

To be continued…

Happy New Year Luke. And may the force be with you.