Page 33 of Something Like Forever

Ben laughed. “We practicedthe entire evening!” That had been fun. Since they had to leave soearly in the morning, Jason had spent the night, bringing hisfavorite pillow with him and of course his guitar. Not the newerelectric one he had gotten for Christmas. Jason liked it andenjoyed having more than one to choose from, but for situationssuch as these, he faithfully relied on the guitar he had grown upwith. Having him home again felt good. Ben needed all of hiswillpower to resist suggesting he move in permanently.

The speech pathology areaof the hospital consisted of a consultation room that doubled as anoffice, and two small adjoining rooms that were used forrehabilitation. Ben reported to the office, as he always did whenbeginning his shift. Wanda, the resident speech pathologist, wasseated behind her desk and focused on paperwork. She was a smalland feisty woman, despite her advanced age, and a stickler for therules. Ben braced himself for trouble as he and Jason filed intothe room. Sure enough, Wanda’s attention skipped right over him toJason.

“Who’s this?” sheasked.

“Jason, my son. He’s hereto help.”

Jason shuffled forward and offered his hand.Wanda shook it, eyes moving back to Ben. “To help?”

“The music idea I told youabout,” he said.

“That’s all I thought itwas,” Wanda said. “An idea.”

Ben felt his face growingred. He dealt with this on a weekly basis, but with an audiencepresent, he found it a lot more embarrassing. “Why don’t you waitin there?” he said, turning to Jason and gesturing to one of therehabilitation rooms. Ben guided him to the door, shutting it afterassuring Jason that he wouldn’t be long. Then he turned back toWanda. “I just want to try it out. You know how well Neil respondsto music. I thought this would help.”

“It’s a nice idea,” Wandaadmitted, “but something we should talk to the boardabout.”

The board! Wanda loved theboard. Ben often pictured her like the Log Lady fromTwin Peaks, but insteadof walking around with a gnarly old log cradled in one arm, shewould be holding a two-by-four. Her precious board. Of course theone she was referring to was made of directors instead of wood. Benhad never met them and didn’t care to. Wanda religiously attendedany open meeting, always returning with stories of the issues shehad raised with them and their responses.

“Just atrial,” Ben said. “Think of it as a bring-your-child-to-work day.Jason is just going to sit quietly in the corner andmaybeget so bored thathe plays his guitar.”

“He really shouldn’tinteract with the patients.”

“He won’t. Sorry, but myfirst appointment is in five minutes.”

Wanda breathed through hernose and nodded curtly.

Ben grinned in response.“Thank you!” He fled before she could change her mind.

“She seems tough,” Jasonsaid when they were alone in the rehabilitation room.

“She’s fine,” Ben said.“Wanda just wants everything to run smoothly.”

“I always pictured you asbeing the boss.”

“Here?” Ben laughed.“Maybe someday.” He turned his attention to setting up, thinking ofthe constant battle for any sort of change, like the iPads thattheir patients responded so well to. He had spent a yearchampioning those, even sneaking in one from home until themysterious board finally gave Wanda the green light. Dealing withher was the smallest portion of his day. Ben never let it get himdown, preferring instead to focus on his patients.

“Hello!” The door leadingfrom the office opened, a mother guiding her sonthrough.

Janice was his own age,and the best sort of parent because she always stood back and letBen do the work he needed to do. Her son, Neil, was six years oldand on the Autism spectrum. He didn’t verbalize much, but over theprevious year, they had made progress.

“Hi, Janice,” Ben said,shooting her a smile. Then he squatted. “Hello, Neil!”

Neil’s focus moved aroundthe room, settling on Jason. Nearly a full minute passed, buteventually he looked at Ben again. “Hello.”

As simple as it seemed,this was a big deal. Not only did Neil not speak very much, but hewasn’t strong in social interactions either.

“Aaaaand how are youdoing, todaaaaaay?” Ben sang.

Neil, whose expression had been impassive,smiled briefly. “Fine.”

“That’s wonderful news, myfriend,” Ben sang again. He would be doing so for much of theirsession, since it was an easy way to get through to Neil, but healways mixed in normal speech too, wanting Neil to respond just asmuch to that because very few people in the real world would besinging to him. “I have another friend with me today,” he said,extending an arm toward Jason. “That’s my son! His name is Jason,and do you know what he can do?”

Neil just stared.

“Do you know what he cando?” Ben repeated. “Can you guess?”

Neil shook his head.