Laughing Gas

There are many things that are placed in our way during our travels through this vast universe. Some good, some bad, but all new and with a purpose. How we handle these 'bumps' along the way only further defines ourselves and how we perceive this world. One of my bumps? A particular 16 year old boy.

When I was contacted last summer about being an attendent to an autistic boy I was for the most part, intimidated. Autism is scary. It is an entire spectrum that no one knows about. For years doctors did not even think that people born that way could be educated or independent. Even now, Nathan's diagnosis is "not otherwise specified." This two year journey has not only further broadened my respect for the unknown, but given me a lifelong friend.

No matter what the schedule is and however we adults see it, we all run on Nathan time. He cannot be pushed or prodded to do anything quickly because obviously he has to finish building his glass ceiling on Minecraft!! If we survive getting into the car without any incident, we speed away to school (or speech therapy, depending on the day). Now, Nathan's only music of choice is classic rock, so unless the station is a commercial he likes, the pestering does not stop until I have changed the station to the classics. Example:
                  N: Hey, you think you want to listen to some rock music? (and why wouldn't I?!)
                  Me: Nah I'm enjoying this country station. (how dare I)
                  N: You sure you wouldn't want to change the station for a guy with braces?
                  Me: Hmmmm now who do I know with braces??
                  N: *biggest grin possible*
And so we listen to 97.1 The Eagle. *insert air guitar and head banging*
And so our relationship is.

This is my last week with the crazy rockstar for the summer and it has been a good one. So to wrap up the summer I bring to you a short story starring the one and only Nathan S.!

Once upon a time there was a young misunderstood teen by the name of Nathan. He lived in a world where no one understood that he should be able to drink a Route 44 Dr. Pepper at all times! There to comfort him in his time of trials was his trusty sidekick, Miss Katherine. She always had a wise, if not kind, word to say. Nathan tried his hardest to make everyone fulfill his wishes. On this particular day, he dared to bring out what only The Christmas Story has ever seen the likes of: the triple dog dare. He triple dog dared Miss Katherine to honk the car horn at the car in front of her. So to appease the ill- mannered chap, she faked pushing it.

Nothing happened.

"Harder!" he demanded.

So Miss Katherine did push it harder...and it honked. This released what is most deadly to all teenage boys. Laughing Gas. For those unfamiliar with this term, another common word for this phenomenon is  passing gas or farting. Yes, it happened. Right then and there. What happened in the next ten minutes  ran together as laughs, giggles, and slight pauses for catching his breath. Then there was more laughing.
When at last Miss Katherine thought there could be no more laughter, Nathan gasped out "Miss Katherine, you better be glad that wasn't SUPER laughing gas or you'd be laughing too!" And so they were, along Highway 287, laughing together until the next adventure was to be thrust upon them and if Nathan would have anything to do with it, it would most likely involve trains, Sonic happy hour, and Elvis.

Lucky for me, this story is true. I live in Nathan's world that he so graciously allows me into no matter the misunderstandings. We get to ride together everyday whether he is giving me the silent treatment or trying to choose between Journey and Bon Jovi. Air guitars are frequently played and carrots are sometimes sneezed. Stubborn is his personality, and he could persuade an eskimo to take ice from him if he didn't like eating it so much. Negotiations are obviously imperative if he is to remain the king of his land.

So every day the young boy tries to get his way, but Miss Katherine is always careful, because an overflow of happiness might come about and with that an impending release of laughing gas.