Auggie a new life in the dark part 9

Beep, beep, beep...it is 6:30...beep, beep, beep it is 6:30...Auggie woke up to the sound of his talking alarm clock, he felt for the button, pressed it and the room went quiet again. He got out of bed and made his way to the adjacent bathroom to take a shower. His mother was still sound asleep on the sofa bed in the living room. Whilst taking a shower Auggie remembered the last evening.

He had invited his mother to the Italian restaurant. They had a plate of excellent antipasti, pasta and Auggie had paid for a bottle of excellent red Bardolino wine as well. He felt that he had finally convinced his mother that he was able to live alone. Right after rehab his Mum wanted to take him home to Glencoe Illinois. She was convinced that a blind person could not live on their own. But Auggie was stubborn and refused to come with her. He was scared that she would return to old habits and would treat him like a 4-year old. Now that she had seen him in his own place she would maybe stop to treat him like a child. Blind or not, he was almost 30 years old and could not imagine to live with his parents again. Auggie had finished his shower and started shaving. Being blind he now preferred an electric razor. After a few minutes he was done with that too and went back to the bedroom and opened the closet. His shirts and jackets had Braille tags that helped him to make the right choice. He opted for a light-blue shirt, a dark-blue tie and a pair of dark-blue jeans.

When he reached the kitchen area next to the living room corner he noticed that his mother was already awake . He heard her move on her sofa bed and said „Good Morning Mum, I hope you had a good night." „Morning August" she replied and added „How did you know I was awake already?" Auggie turned towards her voice and said „The sound of your breath changed. When people are sound asleep the breathing sounds different and in addition I heard you move." Once again Gloria Anderson was astonished about her son´s skills of perception. „You are amazing" she said with a smile. Auggie grinned and answered „Women tell me the same thing all the time".

Gloria Anderson knew that her son was some sort of womanizer but now she wondered whether his blindness had changed his habits. As if Auggie could read her mind he said with a smirk „That is one of the few things that have not changed after my accident". And right on cue, his cell phone rang. Auggie went to the kitchen counter, tapped on the screen and took the call. It was Annie „Hey Auggie, do you want me to pick you up today? I am on my way to Langley and I think you might like to ride with me today." „Yes that is a good idea" Auggie replied. „ I will be ready in 15 minutes".

Twelve minutes later Auggie heard a knock on his door. He opened and Annie stood on the threshold. Gloria Anderson was curious to see who had just arrived and looked up from her breakfast plate that she had just filled with scrambled eggs and toast. „Would you like to introduce this young lady to me" she asked.„Of course, Annie this is my Mum Gloria Anderson, Mum this is Annie Walker my colleague from the office. She has just come to pick me up". Gloria Anderson looked at Annie with curiosity. Annie had put her blond hair up in a bun and she wore blue jeans and a white blouse with a casual leather jacket. The usual high heels were part of her outfit, too. This time she had chosen a pair of dark-blue shoes. „Shall we ? „ Auggie asked and took his cane and his brown messenger bag from the dresser next to the door. Then Annie touched the back of Auggie´s hand with her own hand and he took her lead. Gloria watched the two leaving and thought „What a nice couple".

When Auggie came back after a long day in Langley he realized that his mother was not there anymore. She could not leave him a message since she could not write Braille and he could not read print anymore. Auggie had just taken off his leather jacket and had put his folded cane on the dresser when his cell phone rang. He took the call and heard the voice of his mother. „Hello son, I guess you are back home again and I think you have realized that I have left already" „Yes Mum, I have just arrived and I noticed that you have left." „Auggie..." she hesitated a bit and then she continued „I..I...have to apologize for what I said yesterday about you and your cane. I am very, very sorry. I have realized now that your life has changed since the accident and I want you to know that I am proud of you and of the way you have learned to cope with the situation. You have shown me that being independent despite a visual disability is possible and I can assure you that I am not ashamed to have a BLIND son." This was the first time that his mother had spoken to him like that. She usually avoided this topic. The emphasis on the word BLIND showed him that she finally understood him. Up till now she had been unable to use the word „blind" when she was talking about him. It seemed like her attitude towards him had changed and that moved him and made him happy in a certain way. „It is okay Mum" he said almost unable to speak since the lump in his throat had not disappeared yet but he did not try to hide his feelings when he spoke. „ I love you Mum and I know that you love me, too" he said before he ended the call. The visit of his mother had changed Auggie´s life. He was no longer afraid to call his parents and for the first time in months he considered the possibility to travel to Illinois to see his family and friends so to speak. The awkward feeling and the insecurity how his family would treat him had almost disappeared and that relieved him in a way he had not considered possible.

Auggie felt like he had to celebrate what had just happened between him and his mother. He dialled Annie´s number and waited until she picked up. „Hey Annie, are you up for a beer today?" Annie smiled when she heard Auggie´s voice and said „What kind of question is that? Of course I am. In twenty minutes at Allen´s?" „Done" Auggie replied, took his cane, his wallet and his leather jacket and left. Allen´s tavern was just one block away from his apartment and he was up for a walk. He had almost arrived and was waiting for the sound that announced that the traffic light was green when suddenly someone grabbed his arm. Auggie almost froze because he had not seen that coming. „Hey what are you doing?" He said in an angry tone and tried to shake off the hand that had grabbed his arm. Then he heard the voice of a lady „Excuse me, but I thought you needed help to get across the street." Auggie turned towards the sound of the voice and said „No, I do not need any help and If I need some assistance I will ask. „ The lady was embarassed and stammered „I ..I ...just wanted to be helpful." Auggie suddenly felt a bit of pity for the lady because she really seemed to regret what she had done and therefore he said „May I give you some advice? Never grab the arm of a blind person. If you want to offer your help ask the person if they need it. Let me get that straight. You really scared me by grabbing my arm out of the blue and without any word." The young lady had listened to Auggie and said „ I promise I will not do that again. Not to you and not to anybody else". „Good" Auggie said and then he heard her walk away.

Two minutes later Auggie had taken a seat at a table and was waiting for Annie. Seconds later he heard the familiar sound of clicking heels and the smell of Jo Malone Grapefruit announced the presence of his best friend. „Hey handsome guy" and with these words Annie nudged him and he smiled when she took a seat on the opposite chair. „Hey beautiful lady" He replied and smirked. „How would you know I am beautiful?" Annie teased him. „Well that is my secret" Auggie replied and ordered two beers when he heard the waitress arrive.