Chapter 15

Dr. Glassman sat at his desk doing paperwork. There was then a knock at the door.

"Come in," Dr. Glassman said.

Clark walked into the office.

"Aaron Glassman?" Clark asked.

"Yes," Dr. Glassman replied. "May I help you?"

"Yes," Clark replied. "Detective Max Clark. I've been on the Harietti case."

"What can I do for you?" Dr. Glassman asked.

"Over the course of this week, I've become best friends with Shaun," Clark said.

"Good for you," Dr. Glassman said.

"Look," Clark said. "I'm autistic too."

"Okay," Dr. Glassman said.

"I know how hard it is to make friends when you have autism," Clark said.

"What are you getting at?" Dr. Glassman asked.

"Shaun told me about how you don't want to be his friend," Clark said. "Why is that?"

"He wants to make his own decisions," Dr. Glassman said. "So I'm letting him."

"See," Clark said, "you didn't answer my question."

"Yes I did," Dr. Glassman said.

"You can still let people make their own decisions and still be their friend," Clark said. "That's how normal friendship works."

"I don't know how to be his friend without being his father," Dr. Glassman said.

"News flash!" Clark shouted. "You're not his father! Get over it!"

"Not his father!" Dr. Glassman shouted. "I took care of him from the time he was 14! I paid for his medical school! I got him this residency!"

"He appreciates that!" Clark shouted. "But you aren't his father! He hates fathers! His abused him!"

"I know!" Dr. Glassman shouted.

"Look!" Clark shouted. "Shaun deserves all the friends in the world!"

"Well, if you're really Shaun's best friend, you shouldn't be so concerned about me being his friend!" Dr. Glassman shouted.

"I'm moving to Long Beach!" Clark shouted.

"Why?" Dr. Glassman asked.

"I got promoted to Sergeant and the position is only available in Long Beach," Clark replied. "Before I leave, I want to make sure Shaun has friends."

"Well, I can't be his friend," Dr. Glassman said. "I'm sorry, but I just can't."

"You're a jerk," Clark said coldly. "You don't know how lucky you are to have Shaun in your life. Goodbye, Dr. ASSman."

"It's Glassman," Dr. Glassman said.

"I know what I said," Clark said as he walked out the door."