This story is very close to me and in honor of Autism awareness month.
Jamie flipped the light switch on stepping into his son's room with a smile. Four year old Thomas sat on his Thomas bed making whirling noises as he stared at the wall. "Hey buddy," Jamie greeted softly careful not to scare him. Thomas shifted moving his arms in a flapping motion continuing to him.
Jamie moved closer kneeling down in front of the bed in direct eye range of his son trying again. "Hi Thomas." Thomas grew still for a minute before going back to his song. "Look buddy it's time to get up." Jamie pointed to a child sized schedule hanging on keeping track of their daily activities.
Thomas jumped off the bed closing his thumb in a little fist giving it a shake. "Baba," he tried saying. "Potty," Jamie asked reaching for his hand. "Potty," Thomas repeated following his dad humming under his breath. "Help," Jamie prompted patiently waiting for Thomas to echoe before helping him.
After using the bathroom Jamie brought Thomas downstairs helping him into his seat. "Cereal or toast," Jamie asked hovering close. "Cereal or toast," Thomas repeated with a flap of his hands. Jamie leaned down modeling folding his hands on the table waiting until Thomas sat quiet to try again. "Show me what you want."
Thomas twisted around slipping off the chair crossing the room with Jamie right behind. Thomas stopped at the fridge reaching up to open it several times, until he grew frustrated and gave an angry yell. "What do you need," Jamie prompted immediately. "Open," Thomas looked up impatiently at his father.
With the fridge open Thomas picked his hand up making the sign for yogurt. "Good boy go sit I'll get you yogurt." With a smile Jamie reached down tickling Thomas' side rewarded with a big smile and small giggle.
Grabbing a strawberry yogurt Jamie brought it to the table setting it down on the place mat. "No no no," Thomas flailed his arms wildly reaching for the yogurt ready to knock it over but Jamie anticipated the beginning of a behavior and quickly took the yogurt.
"Use your words buddy do you want the other one,"Jamie sighed.
"Other one," Thomas repeated turning in his chair. Bringing the yogurt back Jamie put it in the fridge bringing the banana to the table. "What do you need?" As he asked Jamie revealed a curved blue spoon. Thomas picked his hand up trying to point at the utensil in Jamie's hand. Satisfied Jamie handed over the spoon watching Thomas drop spoonfuls of yogurt on the table managing to get a little in his mouth.
When breakfast finished Jamie cleaned Thomas off and carried him to the living room. Thomas wiggled free plopping on the floor in front of a spin toy with a mirror. The five year old laughed at his reflection as he banged the toy letting out small hums.
Jamie sat on the floor pulling Thomas on his lap pressing the top showing him how to use the toy. "No," Thomas yelled using his hand to stop the toy from spinning so he could look at himself in the mirror. "Thomas, look at me." Thomas hummed again continuing to play with the toy.
"Want to go to the park today it's nice out," Jamie looked out the window at the sunshine beaming in through the window. "Go out go out," Thomas echoed his attention on the toy. Jamie easily lifted Thomas up into his arms using the opportunity to tickle his stomach sending the boy into fits of giggles.
Jamie helped Thomas with his shoes before putting his own on heading to the park hand in hand. As they got closer Thomas pulled on Jamie's arms seeing the swings. "Wait," Jamie warned catching his arm before Thomas got to far.
Thomas squirmed using his hand to point to the swing. "That's better." Jamie brought him over putting him in the smaller swings giving a gentle push. Thomas squealed with delight flapping his arms excitedly while Jamie pushed him.
They stayed in the park for hours sliding down the smaller slide and running around the play area until Thomas stopped plopping in the sand yelling. Jamie knelt beside him ignoring onlookers watching taking a breath. "All done?"
Thomas wiped his hands together showing he was all done for today. Smiling Jamie picked him up carrying him out in his arms. Laying in his father's arms Thomas reached a hand up to Jamie's cheek using his other hand to blow a kiss.
By the time they got home Thomas laid breathing softly in Jamie's protective arms fast asleep. When they arrived home Jamie brought Thomas upstairs tucking the covers around him and leaned to kiss his head before going down to clean up.
Jamie picked opened the dish washer putting their breakfast dishes when the doorbell ran three times. Grumbling under his breath afraid it's wake Thomas Jamie hurried to see who was outside.
Danny gave his little brother a grin once Jamie opened the door. "Hey Danny what are you doing here?" Jamie moved aside to let his big brother in surprised to see him at such early hour. "I wanted to stop by and see how you and Thomas are doing." Danny waited for Jamie to close the door behind him to study him.
Jamie led him into the living room where he sat next to Danny on the couch. "We're okay you know he's doing a lot better." Jamie gave a shrug unsure how to answer the question when they didn't have a choice. He couldn't see going on without Thomas by his side.
"Have you heard from Sydney since she left?"
The cringe in Jamie's posture told Danny his brother's ex fiancé was still a touchy subject. "No but she's the one missing out on getting to know Thomas he's amazing Danny such a sweet little boy. "
"You know I admire you Jamie for raising Thomas by yourself, you've done good with him."
Again Jamie shrugged seeing no other option but do everything in his power to do the best for his son. Even after Thomas was diagnosed Jamie talked to every doctor, asked questioned and searched for the best strategies to raise his boy.
"I don't see any other option Danny I can't not be around him." Jamie's eyes twinkled reflecting the love for his son.
It wasn't easy for Jamie after Sydney text him saying she couldn't deal and was leaving. There were many nights Jamie woke up in choking sobs calling for her. Danny, Erin and Frank took turns staying with Jamie to help him through the abandonment but it was Thomas climbing into bed with Jamie that helped the most.
"Just so you know if you need anything don't hesitate to call I mean it kid. Dad, Erin, pops and I we all want to help. You seem to be doing good on your own though but your not alone in this."
Jamie gave his brother a genuine smile appreciative to know his family would be there if they need. As long as he and Thomas had each other they'd be okay.