The Truth
I was always hesitant of the day that he would ask to know the truth. Sometimes I would think about it while others I was too busy to even remember that I had parents in the first place. I pulled up a chair by the tub and started the story.
"Lacour, mom and dad loved you very much. They have since you were born, but they didn't know about your illness until much later on when you were still young."
He sat there with his mouth open that always told me he was actually "listening". Sometimes he flipped the soap up and down while stirring up waves occasionally.
"That's not true Dias! If mom and dad didn't love me they would've told me!"
"I know, but what could I have done to change their minds? They took care and supported both of us…even Dana. There are some things you can't prevent from stopping, they spent days alone trying to figure out where you would go. If I hadn't spoken up then you would've ended up in an institution."
Now he was really curious about what I was saying. It's like he somehow knew what I was going to say and how.
"How come we never go and visit mom and dad anymore Dias?" he asked.
I thought about it long and hard, "Well they don't seem to want us back for a visit. Otherwise they would've called us at some point."
Lacour still hadn't figured it out, but someday I'd tell him.
"Alright let's get you out of the tub for now; I'll finish the story later on."
"What about that one girl Dias that you talked to yesterday…the waitress lady."
"Yes what about her?" I asked impatiently.
"Aren't you going to go see her tonight?"
I was tempted to say I had no idea what he was talking about but I knew he was listening to our conversation. "I'm not sure Lacour, I'll have wait a couple more days before anything significant happens."
"Dias she said she wants to drink some coffee with you! You can't stand her up!"
Obviously I shrugged and got up from the floor going for a towel for him. As he got changed I waited outside. He certainly did have a way with words. Most people who're like him often stutter or take a while to respond. Lacour on the other hand hears what is being said and registers it through his head. He'll respond if he likes what you're saying to him or not. If I hadn't been so caught up in my mind I would've heard the phone ringing.
"Oh shit, Lacour I'll be right back. Don't move from your room until I get back."
By the time I got downstairs the message machine had picked up the call.
"This is Susan calling for Dias; I just wanted to let you know that tonight will be fine for us to meet up. Feel free to call me back or just meet me in town around 8:00, see you then."
I cut her off just as she was about to hang up. "Hello Susan? It's Dias; sorry I was upstairs with Lacour."
"Oh hi Dias, I assume you read most of my message then?"
"Yes, tonight will be fine. Um would it be possible for you to give us a ride?"
I could hear her snickering to herself on the other side of the line.
"Well I don't know; how does Lacour feel about being in cars?"
"He doesn't mind them for the most part if you drive slowly, but I'm sure you'll be fine."
"Alright, what road are you on?"
"We're right past 25th avenue down by the old barn."
"I assume that's mystic drive?"
"That's correct." I said.
"I'll be there in about ten minutes; I'm looking forward to seeing you Dias."
"Same to you Susan, I'll see you in a bit."
She laughed as she hung up. I felt like a fool for some reason.
"Lacour hurry up, Susan is giving us a ride into town with her."
He came running down the steps and nearly had another accident. Fortunately I caught him before he could bang his head against the wall.
"Who's Susan?" he asked curiously.
"Don't you remember Lacour? She's the waitress I talked to last night."
He scratched his head several times trying to pull up a familiar face.
"Ah ok her, what are you two going to do?"
Sadly I haven't thought of what we'd do after getting coffee. If she wasn't going to pick us up I'd have more time to think about it.
"Hopefully she's someone who doesn't like to plan." I said aloud.