My Auggie Story 11
Annie had learned a lot during her week with Auggie. She had completely relied on him and had delved into his world. At the beginning she had been scared but after 3 days, she started to relax despite the darkness around her. If Auggie had not been by her side, she would not have adapted so quickly to the situation. Yesterday, on her last day in darkness, Auggie had shown her how to read Braille.
They both had sat down at the kitchen counter and Auggie had taken her hand and had explained to her every single letter of the Braille alphabet under her fingers. At first, everything was a maze and a confusion of dots for her, but then when she tried to relax a bit, she started to distinguish the first letters. This week had been very instructive for her in many ways. First, she had learned what it meant to be blind and how to deal with the daily routine. On the other hand she had learned a lot about herself. She would not have assumed, how fast she could adapt to a new and sometimes even scary situation. And third, she had learned a lot more about Auggie. He had opened up to her about things, that he usually kept like a secret. He did not like it to speak about his feelings and emotions. Especially when he had to admit a weakness. The usually self-confident tech-geek had a vulnerable side and she had gotten to see this side.
The next morning on her 8th day Annie took out the contact lenses and was relieved. She finally could see the light of day again and could perceive her surroundings. However, her eyes had become quite light-sensitive after this long period of darkness. But she also felt a bit sad because she knew that Auggie would be blind for the rest of his life. Up til now Annie had not really thought about that because she had not known him when he was still sighted. During her week as a blind girl she had felt a closer bond between Auggie and herself. He had been her companion and had helped her whenever she wanted to give up. Knowing that he would never see again really hurt her now. Auggie had shown her a lot during this short period of time and Annie felt well-prepared for the mission. She had learned to move like a blind person and knew how to interact with other people. Contrary to Auggie, Annie had decided to wear dark glasses during her mission This was not unusual for blind people and would make her less conspicuous when watching her environment. The adventure was about to start and Annie was excited about how all of that would turn out. Auggie was a good teacher, that was entirely out of question. She had noticed that herself and so he should be able to help convice other people of his capabilities as well.
The mission begins
Annie was in the bathroom and prepared herself for her first day on a new mission. She had chosen a casual outfit with jeans, a white blouse and a dark-blue jacket. She looked neatly dressed but not too elegant. She put on a little make-up and took the white cane, that Auggie had lent to her, into her right hand. Auggie would pick her up in about 5 minutes. His regular car service would also pick her up because as a blind girl she could not drive to work in her red VW. She had chosen her safe house as her residence during her mission. Nobody knew her there and so nobody would suspect anything when she left the house as a blind girl. A few minutes later a horn honked. Annie had waited outside and let the car driver guide her to the car. Auggie sat in the back of the car and waited for her. "Good morning Mrs. Bennings" He grinned. The mission had started. In about 15 minutes they would arrive at their destination and would establish contact with Mrs. White. When they arrived at the Whites´ house the driver opened first the door for Annie. Auggie got out of the car himself, unfolded his cane and felt his way along the length of the car until he reached Annie´s door. He offered her his arm, she took his elbow and together they made their way to the door. Annie kept her cane folded in her hand for the short way to the door and took Auggie´s lead. Auggie found the steps to the door and said "Be careful Annie, steps" Although the driver knew about the mission because he was CIA as well, they were not supposed to forget that Annie was just faking blindness. Auggie reminded her of the steps to be more inconspicuous then he felt for the doorbell and waited for someone to open the door "Yes, please?" A female voice said a short moment later "Mrs White?" "Yes" "We are James and Pamela Bennings from the local Lighthouse for the Blind. You asked us for help and we are now here to have a first conversation with you" "Yes, please come in" With tentative and hesitating steps Mrs White led the way to the living room. Annie noticed how much problems the lady had to get around. She had watched Auggie in unknown places but he had not been as helpless as this woman obviously was in her own house. A lot of work was waiting for them now, in order to give Mrs White a bit more self confidence and mobility. This was the perfect cover for their plan.
Auggie and Annie slowly followed Gloria White into the dining room. Even Auggie, who could not see at all, noticed how slowly she moved and how she bumped against furniture and objects. Short time later they sat at the large mahogany dining table above them a hug crystal chandelier "I would like to offer you something to drink" started Mrs White the conversation "but I am still very clumsy and I do not want to embarrass myself by pouring coffee on the tablecloth" "That is what we are here for Mrs White" Auggie answered . We will teach you the basic skills for your daily and independent life as a blind person. When you are familiar with your home routine, we will start with a cane and orientation and mobility training outside" "Oh my God!" Gloria exclaimed. "Do you seriously want me to walk along the streets all alone with a white cane in my hand?" "Yes, that is exactly what I am talking about" Auggie replied. "If you don´t want to depend on other people you will have to learn how to get around with a cane. That is not easy in the beginning. I know that from experience, but you can learn all this and the first times you will not be alone. Just try to have a little courage! The cane training is not on your schedule yet. We will start with pouring something to drink, getting the right clothes etc . " Gloria had listened to Auggie´s explanations and suddenly started sobbing " I would never have thought that something like that might happen to me. My life was just perfect and then this stupid accident with the detergent happened. My eyes were vitriolized and nobody could help me. But do you know what the worst about all that is? Not that I am quite helpless…no….all the other people and friends have turned their back on me. My Bridge ladies, my charity committee and even the members of our "so Christian" church community do not visit me anymore. They do not want to get in touch with a blind person. I feel like I am stranded on a dark and lonely island. If I start to walk around with a white cane right now I will make a fool of myself. That is simply too much for me" Annie sat next to Mrs White and now she took her hand tried to comfort her and said „You will find new friends. And when you become a member of our Lighthouse community you will surely find some nice people who are not interested in superficial things. "Thank you" Gloria squeezed Annie´s hand in return and took a hanky out of her elegant white cashmere cardigan to blow her nose. Annie had listened to Gloria´s monologue and had scanned the rooms. Everything was elegant , yes, almost sterile. Like a designer furniture exhibition. The whole house had „no soul". Everything seemed to be reduced to the outer appearance. Soon Annie would find out what was behind all of that. They made a bit of smalltalk conversation and Auggie and Annie explained what type of assistance the Lighthouse for the Blind could offer Mrs. White. There were cooking classes, Braille classes, sports and activity programmes and a lot more for all members.
"Would you please show me the kitchen now" Auggie asked after a while " We want to see how you can get around and what is still missing" Just like before, Gloria led the way whilst Annie and Auggie followed her. Auggie counted his steps as he usually did and swept his cane to the left and to the right across the floor. Arriving in the kitchen, Mrs White said " three steps to the right there is the stove" Auggie found the way with his cane and checked the stove by moving his hands across the surfaces "You should add some tactile dots. With those adhesive dots you can mark the settings and check whether the stove is off or on. Is there also a microwave oven here? "Yes" Gloria replied "But the device has digital keys. Difficult to handle" "Okay, then you should buy a microwave with turning knobs and mark the settings with adhesive dots as well." Auggie added.
"May I use your bathroom please" Annie asked "Sure, right through the door, the second door on the right" Gloria informed her. Annie found the bathroom and discovered that the opposite door was open. Obviously this was the office of Mr. White. A glass desk with a computer, a huge book shelf and a number of sideboards and a cupboard with roll-top completed the interior. Annie decided to have a closer look at the room during her next visit. For today her time was almost over and next time she would take a USB stick with her to steal a few files from Mr White´s computer.
