Scott’s Comments (group member since Aug 05, 2013)

Scott’s comments from the Authors with Asperger's group.

I’m afraid I don’t personally know most of the people in this group. I myself am on the spectrum but I don’t feel like a good fit for what you need.

Interesting. Thanks for sharing.

Sorry about the delayed reply. I kinda forgot about this group. But yes, you can add your books.

Hey Matthew!
Sounds like a great story. I apologize for the late reply but I forgot I created this group and only just now rediscovered it.

My Asperger short story "Hell is Everyone But You" is currently available for free on Kindle. Just go to http://www.amazon.com/Hell-Everyone-B... before midnight tomorrow.

Certainly not.

Some people think vaccinations can lead to autism. I really don't know about that. I myself inherited my autism from my father.

Source: U-T San Diego: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2015/m....

For Erik Weber, Saturday’s 5K San Diego Race for Autism is just a tune up for the track meet he’ll compete in on April 11.

Weber, 26, is gunning to win his 100th Special Olympics medal in the Special Olympics San Diego County Region athletics meet at Point Loma Nazarene University next month.

Weber, who is autistic, will go into the meet with 81 gold medals, 11 silvers and seven bronzes. And he’ll have five events to try and capture that 100th medal. Weber is signed up for the 10,000M, the 5,000M, the 1,500M, the 400M and the 4X100M relay.

Erik Weber is an inspiration for many people with autism. Every year, he runs to help raise money for autism researchCourtesy: National Foundation for Autism Research
But first, the Race for Autism awaits. Even though he’s more of a half marathon and marathon distance runner, the 5K that weaves through Balboa Park holds a special place in Weber’s heart.

Weber was 2 years old when a high fever left him autistic, with no language or motor skills. Doctors told his parents that Erik’s brain had been so badly damaged that he would never progress past the cognitive level of an 18-month-old child and recommended that he should be institutionalized.

Weber’s parents, Richard and Sandy, refused to believe that.

“My mom and dad worked tirelessly to help me develop as a person,” Weber said. “My mom prayed a lot, she was praying to god for guidance for me.”

To the surprise of his doctors, Weber’s brain started to heal.

He entered preschool at a normal age, but stayed for a couple of extra years because he had developed a special bond with a little girl named Ciara McNulty, the daughter of one of his preschool teachers.

“Mom knew that if I was ever going to talk, it would be with Ciara because she was able to get me to do activities that I wouldn’t have been able to do otherwise,” Weber said.

The gamble paid off. By seventh grade, Weber was so advanced in his academics that he skipped eighth grade at Excelsior Academy and started high school a year early.

He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in international development studies from Point Loma Nazarene, a masters in public administration from San Diego State and, in December 2014, a law degree from the California Western School of Law.

Weber took the California bar exam in February and is currently working an intern at the Law Offices of Schwartz and Storey, a local firm that specializes in special education law.

Along the way, he’s written two books, acquired a taste for running, and racked up his astounding total of Special Olympics medals.

Weber’s mother got him started in the Special Olympics after his father died in 1998 because she wanted her son to find positive role models.

Since then, Weber has gone from strength to strength. Running is now part of his lifestyle.

“It’s one of my favorite things to do,” Weber said. “It’s allowed me to try new things that I hadn’t really done before.

“In 2002, my mom put me in the San Diego Trailblazers track and field club so I could learn form and running techniques and get used to larger crowds because it can get pretty packed over there. People with autism tend to be very apprehensive of large crowds and this was a great coping mechanism to get me used to a packed environment.”

Weber participated in the Race for Autism for the first time in 2008, and has only missed one edition of the race since.

He finished sixth overall in 2014 and wants to improve to a first place finish on Saturday.

But this race is not just about medals. For Weber, it’s personal.

Now in its 11th year, the San Diego Race for Autism is the National Foundation for Autism Research’s main annual fundraiser and it's the only local autism race that donates 100 percent of proceeds back toward funding programs and resources for people with autism in San Diego.

“It’s helpful to be running for autism research because the money stays local and it’s a really supportive atmosphere,” Weber said.

Running has helped Weber find confidence in himself. The Race for Autism is his way of showing others that there’s hope.

Source: http://guardianlv.com/2014/06/autisti...

Sesame Street has always been a place where children of all walks of life, colors and disabilities can go and find camaraderie and good times. Diversity is embraced and celebrated on Sesame Street. When the autistic community found out that the show was partnering with the organization Autism Speaks, there was so much disappointment that a petition has been started asking Sesame Street’s producers to reconsider their decision.

As it turns out, there is even a Boycott Autism Speaks movement. Apparently, the organization not only spends very little of the money it raises on actual services for autistic people, but the language they use for their fundraising efforts is full of fear mongering and imagery that does not fairly represent the autistic community.

The key issues with Autism Speaks include, but are not limited to: having no autistic board members, more funds go into research to eradicate the disorder rather than helping those with autism, only 3 percent of their revenue is spent on services and they use scare tactics to inspire people to donate money by portraying autism as a tragedy.

Besides some extremely dubious practices, Autism Speaks and similar organizations, have become outmoded forms of autism advocacy. For the most part, people with autism are proud and fully embrace their differences from the neuro-typical population. Parents of autistic children are also quite fond of their kids’ eccentricities. One mother stated that she does not think she would know how to deal with an average child, “It would be so boring.”

Rather than attempting to wipe out autism by assimilating children to some arbitrary idea of normal behavior, or worse yet, molding them into typical model children, many families affected by autism are taking a different approach. Parents are accepting the paradigm shift brought on by raising an autistic child. This alteration in thinking has not caused tragedies but has instead inspired enlightenment. The ability to speak out with a united voice is just one manifestation of this phenomenon.

Adults with autism are rallying together against the collaboration between a show they grew up with and an organization that does not speak for them. Amy Sequenzia, an adult with autism, has asked Sesame Street to not join up with a group that routinely silences autistic people. She wants all autistic children to grow up feeling proud of who they are.

Lei Wiley-Mydske is not only an autistic adult, but has an autistic child. She told the makers of Sesame Street that if they truly wish to celebrate diversity, they need to end their partnership with the much maligned Autism Speaks. Messages of fear and despair are misleading and labeling autism as something shameful is how the organization has made all of its money. She goes on to say that autism is essentially a different way for brains to interpret the world. Stories deserve to be told by the people who experience them. Wiley-Mydske pleads with the producers to not aid in the continuation of Autism Speaks dominating the conversation with their harmful rhetoric.

The autistic experience is an opportunity for people to learn and grow. It is a wake up call to a society that has relied too heavily upon antiquated ways of approaching children, spirituality and education. Groups like Autism Speaks need to either make some major changes by catching up to the rest of the movement or throw in the towel. Until they do, the autistic community will continue to request that important businesses and institutions, like Sesame Street, sever ties with Autism Speaks.


Read more at http://guardianlv.com/2014/06/autisti...

Interesting. You've given us something to think about.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin...

A 25-year-old Mexican with the autistic condition Asperger's has won the right to make key decisions about his life without parental consent.

The Supreme Court ruled in favour of Ricardo Adair by four votes to one.

Mr Adair said that Mexican legislation violated the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

It banned him from doing simple tasks by himself, such as applying for a passport, because of his condition.

A judge will be appointed to agree which decisions Mr Adair will be allowed to make without the consent of a parent or guardian.

The groundbreaking ruling is expected to have wider implications for the rights of people with autism in Latin America, says the BBC's Will Grant.

'Great step forward'
"I want to be allowed to decide what to do, where to go, where and with whom I want to live or travel, where to work or study," Mr Adair told the Mexican Supreme Court.

Ricardo Adair, May 13
Mr Adair's mother, Leticia Robles, supported him in the battle for equal rights
Mexican legislation makes straightforward tasks, such as buying a mobile phone, enrolling in university or applying for a driving licence, very difficult for people with Asperger's syndrome or other forms of autism.

Mr Adair said all papers had to be signed by his parents or legal guardians.

He began his battle two years ago and has been supported in his fight by a non-profit organisation.

"All we wanted was for Ricardo's own free will to come first, and now the court has recognised that," his lawyer, Andres Gomez Montt, told the BBC.

Mr Adair said he wanted to read the full court ruling before making further comments, but expressed his satisfaction at the decision.

"They have asserted our rights and I believe this is a great step forward," he said.

Mexican legislation on people with disabilities was drafted with the intention of protecting them, by taking away legal responsibility for their actions, but Mr Adair's mother says the law is out of date.

"Many children have different levels of disability. Some need more support, some need less. This should be about giving to each one what they need," Leticia Robles told BBC Mundo earlier this year.

The UN's World Health Organization describes autism spectrum disorders as "a group of complex brain development disorders".

It affects one in each 160 children around the world on average, the WHO says.

"These disorders [which include Asperger's syndrome] are characterized by difficulties in social interaction and communication and a restricted and repetitive repertoire of interests and activities."

Source: http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2013/10...


(CNN) – In the book “Jim and Caspar Go to Church,” an atheist turns to a Christian minister as they're watching a Sunday morning church service and earnestly asks, "Is this what Jesus told you guys to do?"

I've grown up in churches and I'm a Christian, and I'm right there with the atheist.

I honestly don't get the connection. (To be fair, I've grown up on Earth, too, and there are times that I don't understand any part of this place.)

You see, years ago, I was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome - and like a lot of "Aspies," sometimes I'm convinced that I've landed on the wrong planet.

For those of you who don't know the medical lingo, Asperger's syndrome is an autism spectrum disorder, but not as severe as what most people think of as autism.

It basically comes down to this: those "normal human" rules for things like eye contact, when to smile, personal distance – we just don't get them.

What's more, Aspies like me don't like those rules. They make no sense to us. So usually, we just say stuff - bluntly - and stare uncomfortably at the ground. That's how we roll.

But it gets even trickier for people of faith like me.

Feeling out of place at work is one thing. Feeling like an alien at church is a whole other matter.

Imagine Mr. Spock at an evangelical Christian tent revival, and you’ll get the idea.



And my father is a pastor, so I was in church a lot.

Multiple times, each week, every week, I found myself wishing I'd be moved by the worship music, or that I could shut off my skeptical mind during the sermons.

I'd see people in church services, Christian concerts and Bible camps overcome by emotion and enraptured with charismatic speakers, and I wondered why I didn't feel that way.

Why did I always feel like a cold observer?

After going to college, I was convinced my lack of feeling meant I was missing something, spiritually, so I joined charismatic Christian groups in which emotional manifestations of the Holy Spirit are common.

I desperately wanted to have what they had - an emotional experience of God's presence - and asked them to pray over me.

It didn't work.

When I didn’t move with the Holy Spirit or speak in tongues, they told me it was because I had rejected God.

I worried that it was the other way around: God had rejected me.

Maybe I felt like an alien because I deserved it. I deserved to be alienated, irretrievably and forever far from God.

I tried to pray, read the Bible, and do all the "right stuff." But I still felt out-of-touch.

I wondered if I was so broken, such a misfit that God simply took a look at me and decided to move on.

I wish I’d known then that I was an Aspie. And that God loves Aspies.

I still feel alienated from many parts of Christian culture, but Jesus himself finally reached me.

And man, did I feel that.

To people who are beaten down or befuddled by religious rules, Jesus offers something that no one else does: rest. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest," he says.

And he sums up the entirety of complex and confusing religious laws with this: “Love God, and love your neighbor.”

Beautiful. Even children can understand that.

The Bible tells a story about a man who approaches Jesus and admits that he has faith, but also strong doubts.

"Help me in my unbelief," he asks Jesus.

Jesus doesn't blast him. He loves him. To me, Jesus is the only one who really makes any sense.

Oddly enough, considering my medical condition, I'm now a radio personality on a network that plays Christian music.

It’s a beautiful fit, in many ways, because I get to talk to many people who also don’t fit in, and wonder if God loves them.

It’s true, though, others won’t understand me. I know that. I’m still an alien in the American Christian subculture.

Each evening I retreat from it, and I go straight to the Gospels.

It's not out of duty that I read about Jesus; it's a respite.

I long for it, because I'm awash in two strange and baffling cultures, both the irreligious and religious.

And I long for someone I can finally understand, and someone who might finally understand me.

You can now download the full story as a free ebook: http://depositfiles.com/files/39bte8s...

Source: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/08...

Children with Asperger's syndrome show patterns of brain connectivity distinct from those of children with autism, according to a new study. The findings suggest the two conditions, which are now in one category in the new psychiatry diagnostic manual, may be biologically different.

The researchers used electroencephalography (EEG) recordings to measure the amount of signaling occurring between brain areas in children. They had previously used this measure of brain connectivity to develop a test that could distinguish between children with autism and normally developing children.

"We looked at a group of 26 children with Asperger's, to see whether measures of brain connectivity would indicate they're part of autism group, or they stood separately," said study researcher Dr. Frank Duffy, a neurologist at Boston's Children Hospital. The study also included more than 400 children with autism, and about 550 normally developing children, who served as controls.

At first, the test showed that children with Asperger's and those with autism were similar: both showed weaker connections, compared with normal children, in a region of the brain's left hemisphere called the arcuate fasciculus, which is involved in language.

However, when looking at connectivity between other parts of the brain, the researchers saw differences. Connections between several regions in the left hemisphere were stronger in children with Asperger's than in both children with autism and normally developing children.

The results suggest the conditions are related, but there are physiological differences in brain connectivity that distinguish children with Asperger's from those with autism, according to the study published July 31 in the journal BMC Medicine.

"The findings are exciting, and the methods are sophisticated," said Dr. James McPartland, a professor of child psychiatry at Yale University, who was not involved in the study.

Although the study included a reasonable number of children, like any new finding, the research needs to be replicated in future studies, McPartland said.

People with Aspergers syndrome experience difficulties with social interaction, and can display unusual behaviors, such as repeating the same action or being excessively attached to performing certain routines. These symptoms overlap with those of autism disorder, however, children with Asperger's tend to show language and cognitive development that is closer to that of normal children, compared with children with autism.

Recently, the American Psychiatric Association decided to eliminate Asperger's syndromefrom the newest revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM 5) and instead put it alongside autism under an umbrella term, autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

The APA's decision raised voices of concern from several places. Parents worried that their children with Asperger's might not receive the special training they need, and experts said it was premature to combine the two conditions under one group when it cannot be ruled out that there are biological differences.

"At present, it is hard to know whether [the new findings] reflect a core, intrinsic difference between Asperger's and autism, or whether it is a reflection of developing with different characteristics," McPartland said.

Duffy said the new findings fit with the notion that autism and Asperger's syndrome are similar in some respects; for example, both have difficulty getting along with other people.

However, stronger connectivity among the left hemisphere brain areas in children with Asperger's may be what makes people with Asperger's special in terms of their personalities and abilities, Duffy said.

"It's essential to separate these two groups, because they need different education and training and opportunity," he said.

Sorry for the late reply. Are you talking about my books in particular?


P.S. We're up to 7 members now!

Source: http://www.clickorlando.com/news/11ye...

MELBOURNE, Fla. -
As the number of children diagnosed with autism continues to climb -- one in 88 children -- parental demand of therapies that work intensifies.

This summer an 11-year-old Melbourne boy named Shea Edmondson-Wood discovered a passion and found his therapy in the surf of Florida’s beaches.

His dad Craig says when they went to the beach, the boy saw somebody surfing and said, “I want to do that.”

His parents were apprehensive. If he couldn't do it or didn't like it, they felt it could mean a meltdown.

But the results showed them they had nothing to fear.

Shea got his surfboard, a blue Mohawk and turned into a rock star. His parents can’t believe the change.

When he's at the beach, Shea even has an alias: The Puzzled Surfer.

The name represents his Asperger's Syndrome, a type of autism which affects his behavior and interaction with others.

“I know as a mom, I'm used to being in a store and, 'OK, Shea, try not to turn in circles.' Do all the typical things autistic kids tend to do, turn in circles, play with their hands and wonder, 'OK, who's looking at me thinking my kid's crazy,” says his mother, Sheri Edmondson-Wood.

Shea’s dad describes him as brilliant, incredibly smart, and very sensitive.

But up until the beginning of this summer, he says, “I would describe him as quiet."

“It's amazing. Out here, he's just a totally different 11-year-old person. And there's only one reason for it: because of all the attention they give him," said dad.

"They" are volunteers from Surfers for Autism and they treat him and others like rock stars. Shea calls them his crew.

The non-profit group hosts free surfing clinics for kids with autism all over Florida, and the goal is to create a fun and safe environment that lets these kids be themselves and even more.

"Once we get a kid in their first wave, the transformation is complete and total. we have non-verbal kids saying their first words. We have kids that don't like to be touched, bear-hugging instructors, sometimes walking hand-in-hand on the beach and they just come out of their shell in ways that don't happen outside the water," Gary Rossman a representative with Surfers for Autism told Local 6.

The first time Shea got on a board with Surfers for Autism, his sister Leah saw a change in her big brother right away.

"The first day I didn't know he could handle it, but the first time he got on, he surprised me," said Leah.

Shea quickly responded to Leah, saying, “I know, because I was so good."

The surfing clinics may be free but travel is not, so his mom and dad set up a website called Puzzled Surfer. It tells Shea's story and raises money to help him get to as many of the surfers for autism events as possible.

Shea says he plans to keep surfing so, “I can become the master."

His sister says he wants to be a professional surfer someday.

Shea also loves to be active on social media. Local 6 found out about him through Twitter. She says he loves counting the number of new visitors to his site, but not as much as surfing.

Continued from above...
“Yeah, I heard this place is going to shut down soon. The economy and all that.”
“Mmmm-hmm.”
She says, “But hey—at least we’ve got this place all to ourselves, you know?”
I’m getting a weird vibe off her. She seems cheerful on the outside, but something’s not quite right about her. I laugh inside. Like I’m one to talk.
“Yeah, it’s great,” I reply, completely sincere. The lack of people makes this paradise. Probably the last paradise I’ll ever see.
Dammit, I keep going back to that. I don’t want to think about it, but I just can’t help it. Could anyone in my position help it?
I stand up to leave. I don’t know why, but I tell her, “I’m going back to my room now.”
“Oh.” She looks disappointed. “Maybe I’ll see you later?”
“Maybe,” I lie. I have no intention of going for something I can’t have. To do so would only torture me further.

2
Later that evening I return to the lobby and, after grabbing some food, sit down in the same place to eat it. When I think about it, eating seems kind of pointless. Then I once again shake those thoughts out of my head. Regardless of what will happen soon, my stomach still has a say. Besides, the food is really quite good. I got sliders. I love sliders.
I frequently look around the room to see if that girl is here. She isn’t. I also try not to think about what a lovely vision she is and what kind of future we have had together in an alternate timeline.
My attention lapse comes back to bite me in the ass, however. “Hey, it’s you again!” It’s her. Again.
“H-Hey.” You ever have those moments when you don’t know what to say, but words leave your mouth anyway? Your brain just sorta goes on half-assed autopilot.
She sits down opposite me like earlier. “I’m loving this place. Especially the hot tub.”
“I, uh, haven’t seen that yet.” I stuff a chunk of slider into my mouth to avoid having to say anything else.
“Oh, you have to! It’s amazing, being outside in the beautiful weather but still warm.”
“I’ll be sure to check it out later.” My confidence is gradually building up.
“I’m Audrey, by the way.”
I respond, “Brian.”
“Nice to meet you, Brian. How long are you going to be here?”
She had no way of knowing it, but she just asked a sticky question. “A few days,” I say cryptically.
“Me, too.”
Before she can ask me to elaborate, I decide to change the subject. “So, Audrey, what do you do for a living?”
She looks away nervously. “Well, I’m, uh…a writer. I’ve already got a few novels under my belt.”
Her story sounds fishy, but I don’t care. I just want to keep attention away from my situation. “Oh, yeah? Anything I’ve read?”
“Probably not,” she says evasively.
“Come on,” I pry, suddenly interested. “I read a lot of novels. What’s yours called?”
“M-Midnight Falls.”
“Hmmm. No, I haven’t read that.”
She mumbles something under her breath. I’m not sure, but it sounds like “No one has.”
I don’t really know what to say, so I do a little mumbling of my own. “Yeah, well, you know…” Maybe it was a bad idea to change the subject.
“Oh, but I have a copy in my room. I can give it to you later, if you want.”
“Sure, I guess,” I say. I don’t mention that I won’t be around to read it. It’s better if she thinks she’s gained a new fan.
“Great. Meet you back here in an hour?” She definitely seems to have perked up.

3
An hour later, night has fallen and I’m back in what has become my designated spot. Audrey returns with a copy of her novel Midnight Falls and hands it to me.
“It’s about a man with AIDS who falls in love with a woman who has cancer. They have to overcome the stigmas surrounding their illnesses to be together.”
“Whoah,” I say. “That’s…what’s the word…risqué?” I admired her for having the guts to write a story like that. “I’m amazed your publisher was willing to put that out there.”
She again mumbles something, but I can’t make it out. She then quickly says, “Hey, you feel like tying one on?”
“A drink? Sure; why not.” I’m a pretty experienced drinker. I wouldn’t say I’m an alcoholic yet, but that particular mistress is well-acquainted with me.
She goes and gets a couple martini glasses full of something red and hands one to me. As we clink, she says, “Cheers.”

4
The next thing I remember, it’s morning and I’m sitting on the love seat in the lobby near my usual chair. There is a blanket around me.
Around us, actually. Because Audrey is dozing with her head against my shoulder. If it weren’t for the hangover, I could have enjoyed this.
She soon stirs. She notices the situation we’re in and says, “Oh, God. Did we…do it?”
I stare at her for a moment, trying to sort my thoughts in spite of the jackhammer in my head. Finally: “Our clothes are still on.”
“Oh, thank God! Not that I have anything against you, of course. It’s just that I don’t know you yet.” Nor will you, I think to myself.
“No offense taken,” I assure her.
“Good. I’m sure you’re a great guy and all, but for all I know, you’re married.” I notice she has moved away from me.
“No, not married.” And I never will be. “I’m one hundred percent single.”
She says, “Oh, that’s great. I mean—not great for you. Or maybe it is, I don’t know.”
This is an interesting conversation, but my head is killing me, so I decide to leave. “Sorry, but I’m going to go hop into a real bed. I’ll see you later.”

5
I make my way back to my room. As I stand in the hallway sifting through my pockets for the keycard, I notice Audrey has followed me. She’s standing there, staring at me. I’m about to say something, but she beats me to it. “You said some interesting things while you were wasted last night.”
That sends a chill through me. “Like what?”
“Well, my memory’s a little hazy, but I distinctly remember five words: ‘I came here to die’.”

Thanks. I've tried the first-person view before, without much luck. Most of my stories are third-person. However, to really get into this guy's head it needs to be first-person, I feel.

I just started my new short story "Hell is Everyone but You." It's about an Aspie and a normal person both coming to a ski lodge before committing suicide. What they find instead is each other.


1
There I am, sitting in the lobby of the ski lodge, a nice rug underneath my feet, and a roaring fire to my right. The snow-covered mountains outside provide breathtakingly beautiful scenery for me to gaze at.
Now normally I would stay far away from a place like this. That’s because I have Asperger’s Syndrome, a developmental disorder and a mild form of autism. It’s not Down Syndrome or anything so severe, but it does significantly limit my desire to be around other people. Social interaction has always been my greatest challenge.
However, a couple factors have enabled me to come all the way out here to spend a few days at this Colorado resort. The first is the fond memories I have of this place. My parents used to take me here when I was a kid, and I grew to love it. As I transitioned into an adult my Asperger’s became more pronounced, I stopped coming.
Nevertheless, I recently found out business had dropped off, and the place was about to close as a result. In other words, there were very few people here to bother me. This made it the ideal place to…
…well, I’d rather not get into the third reason for my coming here. The less I think about it, the better. For now, I just want to enjoy the peace of this place.
“Great place, isn’t it?”
Female. Beautiful. I have to give labels to everyone I meet. It’s one of the quirks I got from the Asperger’s. Anyway, this woman, who appears to be roughly the same age as me—late 20s or early 30s—sits down in the plush green chair across from me. A coffee table separates us.
I grunt an affirmative as I tap my fingers on the chair’s arm rest. Right to left, starting with my thumb and ending with my pinky. It has to be that way.
“You come here often?” she asks.
Reluctantly, I answer her. “This is the first time in years.” She has silky-smooth shoulder-length brown hair. I can still remember a time when I would have killed to be with a girl like her. Well, not killed. It can be argued Aspies have a reputation for violence, but honestly, we’re just misunderstood. I could never kill anyone, except…damn, there I go thinking about it again. Anyway—I no longer have any interest in anyone or anything.
She latches onto my answer like a drowning person to a flotation device. “So you used to come here? That’s cool.
I shrug. “I guess. There use to be a lot more people here back then.” Why am I allowing myself to be drawn into a conversation with a complete stranger? I don’t even like having conversations with my own family.

To be continued...

Me, you, Tiona, Yvona and Nora.