by P. Mattern
She could see Cass turn to Charley and say something to him with an enthusiastic expression. Charley threw his head back and laughed, giddy with anticipation. After the girls braided and unbraided their ribbons once again, the dancers all began to weave in and out, the boys headed in one direction and the girls in another. Mitzi strained her eyes and cursed the fact that she would lose sight of her son for at least half the circuit. Each time he would reappear around the bend, his face seemed to grow wilder and wilder with pure delight, his eyes wide and his mouth open in continuous laughter. Charley followed Cass, and seemed to play his part effortlessly. Over his t-shirt they had dressed him up in a natural cotton button-up shirt with billowing sleeves and what appeared to be a suede vest. The light brown fringe of his vest swayed as he bounded after Cass. His blonde hair had grown wild with the activity, and she noticed for the first time that he had managed to get little bits of hay in his tousled hair. He moved a little more awkwardly than the other dancers, but he was successfully playing his part. Her heart began to unclench, and she began to feel a swelling of pride for her boy. Her grown up, capable boy. And then a voice behind her snapped her back into reality.
"Look at 'im!" a large - gutted man with a deep voice that seemed larger than life bellowed drunkenly, pointing at Charley as he frolicked by, almost turning the wrong way if it wasn't for Lux quickly whirling him back around gracelessly into the proper direction. A thin line of drool escaped Charley's mouth, much to the crowd's amusement. "Look at 'im! He's the village idiot!"
Her heart sank. Raucous laughter broke out all around her, but Mitzi didn't laugh. Instead her cheeks had turned crimson. To Mitzi, she saw her beautiful boy trying something new and succeeding, and her heart had been filled with joy. She knew his movements were more jerky than graceful, and she knew he was enjoying himself far more and laughing far louder than the others, but blinded by a mother's love, she could not see him as the village idiot. Not until someone had pointed it out.
The large man guffawed and the other on-lookers laughed, cheered, and clapped for Charley as he made his way back around once and twice more before they finally ran out of length of ribbon and the dance stopped, the Maypole complete. The crowd began to disperse, quickly filling the empty gap around the Maypole, as the dancers once again joined their friends and family in the crowd. Mitzi threw her arms around her son as soon as she reached him.
"Charley! THAT WAS WONDERFUL!" She gushed, momentarily unaffected by the laughter that had just moments before surrounded her. Suddenly, there was a large thump on Charley's back.
"Best village idiot impression I've ever seen!" declared a deep voice. It was the large man from the crowd. Others seemed to take his lead, patting Charley on his back and ruffling his wild hair, shaking out the bits of straw he had picked up from somewhere. Pleased on - lookers continued to congratulate him on his 'performance', some shaking his hand emphatically. Although not fully comprehending, Charley appeared elated, eyes wide and wild with delight. "Thanks!" Charley managed breathlessly, an awestruck expression on his smiling face. "Thanks A LOT!"
Mitzi was delighted -- they had assumed it was an act. They must have caught a glimpse of what she had seen; a normal boy, a real person was always in there somewhere. She just saw it more than others did. It made her heart swell once more to see him congratulated by strangers in a world that marginalized him and minimized his abilities. He had done well, she agreed. Only they would never know how well, and that was fine with her.
"See?" Fress said, "He was fine! He did great!" Still smiling widely, Charley was beaming with pride. Mitzi wasn't sure he had ever in his life experienced that feeling -- feeling proud or accomplished.
"He sure did! You did great, Charley!" Mitzi said, smiling up at her beaming son. "What are we doing next? And where did your brothers run off to?"
"Oh, the jousting match is about to start!" replied Fress enthusiastically. "Cass and Lux's specialty. They're very much showmen -- you're going to love it!" They headed hurriedly towards the fairway.
A significant portion of the fairgoers seemed to be moving in the direction of the jousting fairway, flanked on both sides by grandstands set up for the audience. Banners were ruffled by the breeze and flags were already being waved in the crowd. Mitzi shielded her eyes from the sun and looked around for Cass and Lux, spotting them briefly as they disappeared into a structure at the far end of the fairway. Fress, Charley, and Mitzi took a seat in the front row of the nearest grandstand.
Mitzi couldn't help but smile. They began the day with few friends and family, and the decision to attend this whimsical event seemed to change all of that quickly. She hadn't enjoyed herself in a very long time, and she decided to enjoy the company of Charley's new "friends" for however long as it lasted.
Soon they were all drinking spiced apple cider from plastic replica chalices, delivered by a chubby, very busty girl in a long peasant’s gown with a ground - sweeping brown skirt who was serving the crowd. Charley was talking a blue streak to his mom and his new friend Fress.
"Mom it's great!! I got to shoot a real bow and arrow and I finally got one in the target – umm - with a little help!"
Fressenda patted Charley's shoulder. "No Charley, that was all you, I let go of the bow before you took your shot. Pretty good aim dude."
Mitzi leaned around Charley to say to Fress, "I’m very grateful to you. That was nice of you to take time showing Charley around, and he's obviously having the time of his life."
Fress waved her off. "No problem at all. I enjoy Charley’s company. In fact, if you ever need a respite, I'd be happy to take Charley for an outing. You already have my number. If you need a reference you can contact my boss Mrs. Marsh at the library. Like I told you I volunteer a lot -- it’s kind of my avocation."
Again Mitzi was at a loss. It seemed so odd to hear that this beautiful young woman would take an interest in her son. Mitzi wondered briefly if there was something wrong with Fress, and then inwardly chided herself for being overly cautious. "Thank you for the offer," she managed to reply. "I'll keep that in mind. Where are your brothers? Are they getting ready to joust?"
At precisely that moment twin trumpets sounded and a roar went up from the crowd as two helmeted knights with lances appeared and paraded on horseback before the grandstands, waving and bowing. Flowers were being thrown in their direction by the audience and one of the jousters rode right up to where Mitzi was sitting and handed her a rose.
"Milady," he intoned, "I beseech thee to favor me with your acceptance of this token of my regard as it will bring me good fortune in the tournament." Mitzi recognized the knight as Fressenda's brother Cass -- tendrils of his curly brown hair framed his helmeted face as though trying to escape the confines of his helmet. Thanking him, she took the rose and placed it in her lap as she joined the crowd in a round of applause. She could see Lux asking the favor of a woman sitting in the front row of the opposite grandstand as the crowd roared approval.
The jousters then dropped their faceplates in place and squared off at either end of the jousting runways. Lux was mounted on a white charger who was prancing and pawing at the ground. He was obviously the ‘white knight' as a white feather protruded from his helmet. Cass was seated on an equally magnificent horse; a chestnut mare so dark it shone reddish - black in the sunlight. His armor was a dark pewter color and his breastplate varying shades of black, dark grey and maroon. More trumpeting and a shout and they were off on their collision course, running full speed the quarter mile between them, their lances pointed resolutely toward each other. The crowd noise increased in volume as the horses gathered speed. Mitzi held her breath -- she had noticed that the lances were blunted rather than pointed at the ends but she wasn't convinced they couldn't manage to hurt each other regardless. Her protective mother - bear instinct seemed to transfer from Charley to the brothers. She felt Fress reach over Charley's lap and squeeze her hand with a wink as if to say, "It'll be okay."
The initial contact nearly unho
rsed both young men. Cass's horse actually reared, but after nanoseconds both steeds continued their gallop toward opposite ends of the runway. Trumpets sounded again and the two jousters hurtled toward each other for a second time. The bandstand crowd roared as Lux plunged his lance squarely into Cass's breastplate, knocking him backwards off of the chestnut mare… Instinctively Mitzi sat bolt upright in her seat and gasped. Immediately Lux whipped off his helmet and raised his arms in the air, taking a leisurely victory turn in front of both grandstands.
Charley was giddy with delight and clapping enthusiastically, cheering along with the crowd. Cass, appearing dusty and disgruntled, picked himself off of the ground and led his horse off of the field. Mitzi and Fressenda exchanged smiles. The sun was lower in the sky and Mitzi felt it was time to go home. This had been more than enough excitement for Charley, she figured. She was about to tell Fress they were leaving when the twins sauntered up, grinning. Both the young men's faces were flushed and exuberant.
"Did you enjoy the show?" Cass asked, "You know it takes a lot of talent to flip backwards off the back of a horse just before you get slammed by a jousting stick."
"Yes we did -- so much! You guys were spectacular. Thank you, thank you all for showing us around! We've had the best time. Sincerely." On an impulse she gave Fressenda a quick hug. The dark haired girl seemed delighted. "The pleasure was ours. You have no idea how much fun it is to get paid for larping."
"Excuse me?" Mitzi said, suddenly lost. "What did you say?"
"Oh -- that's Live Action Role Playing, aka 'Larping'. All of us belong to a local group that reenacts period scenarios. Every time the Medieval Faire folks come to town they hire us to enhance the atmosphere and get the crowd into it. And we get a chance to show off our Renaissance skills. Of course we get together off-season too. Our local chapter has about 70 members."
Mitzi was interested but at the same time a little piqued. Apparently the trios interest in her and Charley had been part of their job description. But at the same time it had seemed genuine and not forced. "What sort of time periods do you reenact?" She asked.
"Anything from the time of Nero to early 1800's," Fress replied. But, believe me, the medieval period is the most popular. Fress paused and gave Mitzi an odd, searching look. "Mrs. Rabbit, I'd like to take Charley out for lunch sometime. You know I work at the library. I can provide character references. If you need a companion to stay with Charley while you go shopping or something please give me a call. Please... don’t forget us." Fress turned to Charley and started to give him a goodbye handshake, but Charley impulsively threw his arms around the petite young woman’s shoulders.
"Thank you Fress," he said, "I had the ‘bestest’ time." Turning to the twins he added, "And you guys are my heroes. POW! That jousting stuff was so cool!"
As Mitzi herded Charley in the direction of the car she reflected on the day; she had to admit that it had been full of pleasant surprises. She sent up a silent prayer that Fress, Cass and Lux were not just a trio of charming sociopaths that she had managed to attract. It was so out of the ordinary that anyone would take an actual interest in Charley. Mitzi decided that she would reserve judgment, take her time, and make a few inquiries. It had been a very long time since she had had a respite from caring for Charley -- and a break seemed quite overdue.
* * *
Chapter 02: Empty Nesting
A few days passed. Mitzi had secured Fress’s cell number to the front of the refrigerator with a magnet. She thought of calling Fress every time she would notice it, but then would talk herself out of it. Finally she determined to give the young woman a call so that she could have dinner out with a friend. Fress answered after the first ring and sounded delighted that Mitzi had contacted her.
“I’ve actually been waiting for you to call,” the young woman Fressenda confessed. “Charley is a special soul, Mrs. Rabbit. I haven’t been able to get him out of my mind since we all met.”
Mitzi was flattered, but still cautious. The world was, she knew, full of pervs and freaks, but it was likely that few of them were librarians. Unless the world had changed more drastically in the last ten years than she thought.
“You are kind to think of Charley,” she replied. “He is quite a character. And has been talking about meeting the three of you nonstop since the Faire.”
After a little more discussion the two women settled on an early evening outing for Mitzi from 6:00-8:30. Fressenda said she collected board games and had a few that she thought Charley might enjoy playing and she'd bring them with her. By the time Mitzi hung up her phone she was smiling, and more than a little pleased with herself. She couldn't wait to tell Charley that he was going to see his new friend again.
The night out had arrived. Mitzi looked at Charley, who was smiling broadly and then back at Fressenda's lovely face. She sighed. "OK Charley, do whatever your new friend says. Don't make any messes. I'm sure you will have plenty to do." Eyeing the tremendous stack of games Fress had brought she wanted to add "And someone to do it with." That was the bonus Charley's contact with people in the outside world was fairly limited; most of his time was spent among his disabled peers at the ACA Workshop or at home. Finally, FINALLY, a third option had presented itself.
The adoring puppyish way Charley looked whenever he was around Fress indicated that Charley had a crush on the young woman. This could be good or bad. It was common for Charley to develop instantaneous crushes on pretty young women, even as she and Charley went through a fast food drive-through he would swoon at the pretty young ladies in the service windows. Particularly in the summertime Charley seemed to fall in love almost daily.
A short drive later Mitzi was happy to be sitting across from her best friend at a local eatery. The atmosphere was warm and pleasant with the murmuring of the other patrons and the restaurant was decorated with twinkling blue lights. All the tables and booths were centered around a small decorative waterfall in the middle of the establishment. The sound of the splashing and bubbling water contributed to the ambiance as well.
"So what have you been up to?" Dendra asked. Dendra was a tall willowy brunette with straight, sleek dark brown hair and a model's slender body, even after having had three kids. Mitzi had a strawberry blonde bob and always felt somewhat short and dowdy by comparison. Dendra was her oldest friend; their friendship pre-dated Sam's death and Dendra's difficult divorce, and shared single motherhood had created strong bonds between them.
Nevertheless, Mitzi hesitated before answering, but when she realized how desperately she needed to discuss the changes in Charley, her reserve weakened. "Dendra, Charley is... changing. I've had him in the Doctor’s office twice recently to make sure that he's ok." Dendra's eyebrows shot up into the fringe of her bangs in surprise. "What in the world? What's he doing? Or not doing as the case may be. Is he getting to be too much for you to handle? Is it behavioral?"
Mitzi shook her head. "No, actually, he's... better, i guess. Somehow. More... 'normal'. He's starting to read, Den -- or at least recognize words. I'm mystified. Every time I've taken Charley to be evaluated during the last 20 years, whether it was done by a neurologist, an MR Specialist or his own doctor, I was always told the same things.” Mitzi lowered her voice to give an impression of the doctors, “‘don’t expect too much, Mrs. Rabbit. Lower than normal I.Q. Not educable. Greatest strength in verbal skills, lousy fine motor skills', etc. Only suddenly he CAN do things, things that he seemed incapable of doing. Like cooking breakfast for instance."
Once more Dendra's perfectly contoured eyebrows shot up into her bangs. "Charley -- COOKS!?"
Mitzi nodded. "Yeah I know! What a surprise! And doesn't burn himself or set the house on fire! Although I made him promise me he wouldn't cook unless I was home. He started with pancakes, without having been shown anything. Not the ingredients, nothing. And now he makes crepes - CREPES!"
Mitzi's pronouncement came out more loudly than she'd meant it to, attracting the attention of a party at the next table. Dendra
, a bit stunned, looked as though she had swallowed an ice cube. "Crepes? Really!?... Are they any good?"
"Yeah!" exclaimed Mitzi enthusiastically. "Well... some of them!" For no reason she and Dendra started giggling like schoolgirls.
When their amusement subsided Dendra let out a long breath. "Well! Who knew brain damage was reversible? Have you googled it? It's got to be really rare but I'm sure that there have been cases."
"Yes, and yes," Mitzi replied. "Seems it doesn't happen often, and the older the individual is the less likely it is to happen. Some "cures" have been attributable to unusual therapies or extreme dietary changes. Others were though to be the result of miracle healings, in the religious sense. But Charley's just came on suddenly out of nowhere. And, that's the other thing..." Mitzi lowered her voice and leaned closer into the space between the women. "His doctor, I mean his GP, is all excited. He wants to do a few tests, maybe write a scholarly article on Charley. And I'm telling you that that possibility scares me as far as Charley is concerned. The attention I mean. Life in the fishbowl does not sound appealing. I'm not sure what to do. I'm not sure how to feel. It's... complicated."
"Regardless, this is wonderful. Really, truly wonderful." Dendra returned Mitzi's concerned gaze with a playful smirk. Then, snapping her perfectly manicured fingers to get the waiter's attention, she quickly ordered two cosmopolitans. Mitzi had to smile; she had never known Dendra to drink during their infrequent get - together. As the drinks were delivered Dendra gave her a fierce look, "You'd better join me or I SWEAR I'll drink both of them!"