Chapter 4: Autism and Literature
The next day, I met Sarah, James, and Henri, along with more of my best friends Alex Russo, Justin Evans, and Max Greenwald at the Carnegie Library in Squirrel Hill to discuss autism and literature. "Hi, guys!" I greeted my friends. "Hi, Angel!" Sarah greeted back. "Today, we are going to discuss autism and books," Alex told us. "Alex showed us a trailer of a new movie entitled Please Stand By, which was a new movie regarding how people dealt with children with autism. "I believe that film does a really good job handling children with autism," Alex informed us. "I am interested in seeing that film sometime," I admitted. "We'll see, Angel," Alex told me. "So, does anybody know any good books about autism?" "There is this book I have read about succeeding in college with Asperger's syndrome," I told my friends. "It helped me do very well at Edinboro University." "I read a book similar to that, too, prior to my freshman year at Carnegie Mellon University," Sarah told us. "Did you like reading the book, Angel?" "Yes, Sarah," I replied. "I loved reading the book very much." "Have you guys read this really good book entitled Look Me In the Eye?" Justin asked. "Oh, that's a great book," James agreed. "That was the one I did for my final project for Advanced Performance Studies," I pointed out. "Well, it is basically a book about a young boy who is learning to get along with people regarding his disability," Justin explained. "I can definitely relate to books like those," James agreed, "especially with my job at Woodland Hills." "I remember during my support group at 10 years old, this boy named John Quincy made fun of me for reading books," Henri remembered. "They were mainly books about autism and other personal disorders." "I know how you feel, Henri," Max sympathized. "During my 5th grade support group, I was forced to read a lot of books, which nobody but me did on their own." "I thought you did a good job with that group, though, Henri," I told him. "Why thank you, Angel!" Henri replied. "Do you guys know anything about the second commandment in the Bible?" Max asked. "Max, we really should not be talking about that right now," Justin pointed out. "Yeah Max, you bring this up every time," Alex agreed. "It's really getting old." "I don't think that religion is a very good thing to talk about at these groups anyway, because it is personal and not something that people can relate to." After our discussion, we went to the Original Hot Dog Shop in Oakland for dinner. I ordered 2 hot dogs, James ordered himself, Sarah, and Henri 3 hot dogs with brown mustard, ketchup, and onion, which James gave me money to pay for, and a large order of French fries for all of us to share. Alex ordered a pack of 12 chicken nuggets and a vanilla milkshake, Justin ordered half a mushroom steak sub, and Max ordered a parmesan hot dog. "I wanted to try these chicken nuggets because I believe that the O's chicken tenders are almost exactly like Kennywood's," Alex told me. "Why, don't you like them?" I asked. "Oh no," Alex replied. "I love them. But, Kennywood Park does not sell anything like these. The park doesn't sell any milkshakes like these, either." "What made you bring up Kennywood all of a sudden, Alex?" Sarah asked. "I just wish it was Kennywood weather again, Sarah," Alex told us. "I am not a big fan of cold weather, either," Sarah admitted. "Neither am I," I agreed. "I liked going to Kennywood my senior year of high school," Alex pointed us. "Next summer, the 7 of us should definitely go to Kennywood." "That would be fun, Alex," I agreed with my friend. "You, me, Justin, Max, Sarah, James, and Henri!" Alex offered me one of her chicken nuggets. I tried one, and they were pretty good. She also showed us a trailer from a movie she was thinking about bringing to her Christmas party in Lawrenceville next weekend entitled It Happened on 9th Avenue. Alex also invited us to go out for dinner at the Edgewood Towne Center with her mom, Harper and stepdad, Mason.After dinner, Alex offered to drive me back to Mom's apartment. "Thanks for a great dinner and evening, guys!" I thanked my friends. "You're welcome, Angel," Alex replied. "Bye, guys!" "Bye!"