I got to thinking about what it would have been like to be the first guy to have Asperger's, I mean, Hans had to start somewhere and somebody had to be the first, didn?t they?
So the thing you have to know when you go into this story is that it isn?t entirely accurate concerning the era in which the characters would have to be living if it were a true story, IE; mannerisms, turns of phrase or? anything. When I set out to write it I didn?t imagine it was going to be as long as it is now, I started with a simple idea and I ended up with this, so it may take a short while to get through ; ]
?Martha, come to me hence good wife, for I must unburden you a matter of some consideration? he called in his strong tone, pride swelling his voice as he thought over the adventures his son was soon to embark upon, oh the entertainment and allure of travel and youth were strong in his mind again as the memories swirled of the time when he had left home for good, he had made his father proud as he knew his own son would soon do for him. Presently Martha entered the room with a rustle of her voluminous petticoats, and took seat upon the arm of the nearest high chair, all the better to listen to what it was her husband was about to impart to her.
?Dear sweet wife? he began, I summoned you to a purpose, I have to convey some news to set your heart racing and to quell the longing in your soul, I have reached the decision that it is of a time our son has become grown, both well and sufficient and I have deemed the hour draws nigh he shall take his leave and venture forth into the world beyond these sturdy doors?. Martha wept quietly and without spectacle as she knew it would have to be so, she had in fact known that her son was a giant of a lad and would soon be yearning to experience life and all its joys for himself, and of course she knew Reginald, her husband, being the man of the house, had long since determined that her only boy would undertake that journey within this very month. Passage had been booked for him on a steamer bound for foreign lands and she was not to fret unduly said Reginald, for he had afforded their son a modest purse for living expenses and had issued him a letter to present when he sought work, a letter penned in his own hand that would assure the boy would have a decent position wherever he chose to gain employ.
Reginald was from a wealthy family and so had attained title from birth, he had however been attributed good will and much adulation from his peers due to his demeanour and forthright dealings and this last was such that would ensure her son could have any work he set his mind to, as her husbands family name was most well known to be of great character. She remembered how her son was given to be a little odd at times but Martha had always believed he would grow into himself. Why, just the other night when they had taken the evening meal with one of her husbands medically inclined friends, her son had shone as a beacon of manners and decorum. That particular guest was a pioneering young doctor and had been at the house a few times and so was well known to the family and at no time did her son show any signs of discomfort or appear ill at ease with the man, as he had often done so for many of the other guests of the last few years. She attributed his lack of focus and rowdy outbursts as having stayed too long in the family home and was in no particular doubt he would do well in life upon Reginald?s assertion.
Martha asked her husband; ?Have all the arrangements been made for his travel my darling??, to which he brusquely replied ?why of course dear heart, lest you think so ill of me that I would see my heir to another land without first guarding against his health, I have this very morning sent him to that doctor friend of mine with whom we had such a pleasant repast this last week. He assures me of a most thorough physical exam and a sound bill of health to be forthcoming.?
Then, fearing his terse reply had been somewhat indelicate he strode to the chair on the arm of which Martha was so delicately perched and duly took the seat. She turned to face him as he did so, whereupon Reginald took his wife?s hand in both of his and said quite gently ?Martha my love, you need fear not, without regard to the child?s strange mannerisms, I have every reason to believe that he will in truth bring nothing but good fortune home with him and he is of both our good stock so I cannot for the life of me imagine what terror could so beset him that would sway him from such good purpose.?
Martha let out the breath she didn?t realise she had been holding, she knew her husband spoke true and felt the better for it, but in back of her mind she had dim recollections playing of sudden tantrums and confusing miscommunications, but no, she was deluding herself that her maternal instincts would hold her child of so many years to her which would callously deny him the life he so richly deserved.
Just at that moment the phone rang in the hall and Reginald proclaimed with a hint of controlled glee, that that would be his doctor friend Hans just now, with the results of the tests. Not waiting for the butler to announce the call he hurried into the hall and closed the door behind him, so thoughtful not to let his wife hear the one side of the conversation which he knew would only upset her. Better to tell her all at once and have her trepidations laid to rest in one fell swoop.
Having been so comforted by the words she had only just heard spoken in earnest, Martha started to relax somewhat, reflecting on all the sights and sounds, all the pleasures and wonders her son would experience now he was a man, and soon to be a man of the world, of course she understood it was a mans right to go out into the world, make his own way and come home to family changed for the better and filled with wisdom.
She herself had met her own wonderful husband while he was abroad in Italy and she had been instantly captivated by his rugged good looks and charming demeanour, he had of course?
Suddenly the door burst open, Reginald crossed the room in two steps and threw himself into the chair with such force Martha was almost propelled from it lest she hadn?t grabbed his arm and clutched him to her chest, she leaned in to him and urgently whispered ?for the love of all the gods, you must tell me what has upset you so? even as the rising tide of her half forgotten fears for her son now threatened to engulf her once again and this time for good. Could she stand the answer or would it see an end to her, to lose her son, what had happened she could only surmise, was it a horrible disease that would take him from her or something far more insidious that would keep her poor child with her only to see him wither and decay as she looked on unable to offer surcease.
The silence stretched far in front of her and unable to withstand it any longer, Martha beat her fists uselessly against her husbands broad back and all but screamed for him to put an end to her misery, what could the matter be she said again. Reginald turned to her, his face having taken on a deathly pallor and his words held no weight when he could speak them. Finally he said to his wife that he had indeed had news from Hans and it was unexpected, as he spoke he pulled himself together, he reached for the bell pull beside the fireplace and tugged once, short, sharp and silent. The butler entered quietly and stood to the side of the door, he cleared his throat gently into his fist and the master of the house gave him instruction that he was to cancel his sons travel plans. The butler withdrew and immediately set to task.
Martha sobbed slightly beside him and, taking pity on her, Reginald desired to be as little cruel to his wife as he was able, he would explain it as Hans had to him. Vacating the chair, he easily moved Martha into it; he cupped her chin in his hand and made her face him. Reginald was on his haunches now and committed to helping her understand what had transpired during the phone call of not ten minutes before. As her tears lessened he began:
Our son is special he said, he has every propensity towards greatness, but he has no focus, no desire, no drive, forever he will be misunderstood even as he will constantly misunderstand others, anguish and recrimination will be ever upon his mind and obsession will be a constant companion. Concerns will go on around him of which he has no interest, regular things, things of importance, these will go unnoticed, but the most mundane or infinitesimal things will as much grip him for hours, weeks, or months to the exclusion of all else. His peers will remain aloof, sometimes from their own decision and sometimes from his and mores the like, he will live at home with us ?til we can care for him no longer, this is his affliction. Truth to tell there is more but I shan?t go on just now.
His wife had listened resolutely, offering no interruptions only growing weaker for fear of fainting, all her imagined wonders for her son would never come to pass, he would miss out on so much, over time he would become a withered husk as he watched the cold world march silently by his window. The infection would spread from the confines of his mind to his once healthy young body and he would lose shape, muscle and health, would in fact grow outward no longer in check. Reginald watched Martha?s face and saw all these things pass over it, a horrible affliction he had thrust upon her to equal the malady that would stricken their child.
Reginald vowed and declared that from this day forward, he would forever curse the name of Asperger.
--------
So there it is, in many respects it is similar to other things I have written before.
Whereas I am usually partial to rambling around the point, I have tried this time to set a tone.
Thank you!
So the thing you have to know when you go into this story is that it isn?t entirely accurate concerning the era in which the characters would have to be living if it were a true story, IE; mannerisms, turns of phrase or? anything. When I set out to write it I didn?t imagine it was going to be as long as it is now, I started with a simple idea and I ended up with this, so it may take a short while to get through ; ]
The First Reaction.
?Martha, come to me hence good wife, for I must unburden you a matter of some consideration? he called in his strong tone, pride swelling his voice as he thought over the adventures his son was soon to embark upon, oh the entertainment and allure of travel and youth were strong in his mind again as the memories swirled of the time when he had left home for good, he had made his father proud as he knew his own son would soon do for him. Presently Martha entered the room with a rustle of her voluminous petticoats, and took seat upon the arm of the nearest high chair, all the better to listen to what it was her husband was about to impart to her.
?Dear sweet wife? he began, I summoned you to a purpose, I have to convey some news to set your heart racing and to quell the longing in your soul, I have reached the decision that it is of a time our son has become grown, both well and sufficient and I have deemed the hour draws nigh he shall take his leave and venture forth into the world beyond these sturdy doors?. Martha wept quietly and without spectacle as she knew it would have to be so, she had in fact known that her son was a giant of a lad and would soon be yearning to experience life and all its joys for himself, and of course she knew Reginald, her husband, being the man of the house, had long since determined that her only boy would undertake that journey within this very month. Passage had been booked for him on a steamer bound for foreign lands and she was not to fret unduly said Reginald, for he had afforded their son a modest purse for living expenses and had issued him a letter to present when he sought work, a letter penned in his own hand that would assure the boy would have a decent position wherever he chose to gain employ.
Reginald was from a wealthy family and so had attained title from birth, he had however been attributed good will and much adulation from his peers due to his demeanour and forthright dealings and this last was such that would ensure her son could have any work he set his mind to, as her husbands family name was most well known to be of great character. She remembered how her son was given to be a little odd at times but Martha had always believed he would grow into himself. Why, just the other night when they had taken the evening meal with one of her husbands medically inclined friends, her son had shone as a beacon of manners and decorum. That particular guest was a pioneering young doctor and had been at the house a few times and so was well known to the family and at no time did her son show any signs of discomfort or appear ill at ease with the man, as he had often done so for many of the other guests of the last few years. She attributed his lack of focus and rowdy outbursts as having stayed too long in the family home and was in no particular doubt he would do well in life upon Reginald?s assertion.
Martha asked her husband; ?Have all the arrangements been made for his travel my darling??, to which he brusquely replied ?why of course dear heart, lest you think so ill of me that I would see my heir to another land without first guarding against his health, I have this very morning sent him to that doctor friend of mine with whom we had such a pleasant repast this last week. He assures me of a most thorough physical exam and a sound bill of health to be forthcoming.?
Then, fearing his terse reply had been somewhat indelicate he strode to the chair on the arm of which Martha was so delicately perched and duly took the seat. She turned to face him as he did so, whereupon Reginald took his wife?s hand in both of his and said quite gently ?Martha my love, you need fear not, without regard to the child?s strange mannerisms, I have every reason to believe that he will in truth bring nothing but good fortune home with him and he is of both our good stock so I cannot for the life of me imagine what terror could so beset him that would sway him from such good purpose.?
Martha let out the breath she didn?t realise she had been holding, she knew her husband spoke true and felt the better for it, but in back of her mind she had dim recollections playing of sudden tantrums and confusing miscommunications, but no, she was deluding herself that her maternal instincts would hold her child of so many years to her which would callously deny him the life he so richly deserved.
Just at that moment the phone rang in the hall and Reginald proclaimed with a hint of controlled glee, that that would be his doctor friend Hans just now, with the results of the tests. Not waiting for the butler to announce the call he hurried into the hall and closed the door behind him, so thoughtful not to let his wife hear the one side of the conversation which he knew would only upset her. Better to tell her all at once and have her trepidations laid to rest in one fell swoop.
Having been so comforted by the words she had only just heard spoken in earnest, Martha started to relax somewhat, reflecting on all the sights and sounds, all the pleasures and wonders her son would experience now he was a man, and soon to be a man of the world, of course she understood it was a mans right to go out into the world, make his own way and come home to family changed for the better and filled with wisdom.
She herself had met her own wonderful husband while he was abroad in Italy and she had been instantly captivated by his rugged good looks and charming demeanour, he had of course?
Suddenly the door burst open, Reginald crossed the room in two steps and threw himself into the chair with such force Martha was almost propelled from it lest she hadn?t grabbed his arm and clutched him to her chest, she leaned in to him and urgently whispered ?for the love of all the gods, you must tell me what has upset you so? even as the rising tide of her half forgotten fears for her son now threatened to engulf her once again and this time for good. Could she stand the answer or would it see an end to her, to lose her son, what had happened she could only surmise, was it a horrible disease that would take him from her or something far more insidious that would keep her poor child with her only to see him wither and decay as she looked on unable to offer surcease.
The silence stretched far in front of her and unable to withstand it any longer, Martha beat her fists uselessly against her husbands broad back and all but screamed for him to put an end to her misery, what could the matter be she said again. Reginald turned to her, his face having taken on a deathly pallor and his words held no weight when he could speak them. Finally he said to his wife that he had indeed had news from Hans and it was unexpected, as he spoke he pulled himself together, he reached for the bell pull beside the fireplace and tugged once, short, sharp and silent. The butler entered quietly and stood to the side of the door, he cleared his throat gently into his fist and the master of the house gave him instruction that he was to cancel his sons travel plans. The butler withdrew and immediately set to task.
Martha sobbed slightly beside him and, taking pity on her, Reginald desired to be as little cruel to his wife as he was able, he would explain it as Hans had to him. Vacating the chair, he easily moved Martha into it; he cupped her chin in his hand and made her face him. Reginald was on his haunches now and committed to helping her understand what had transpired during the phone call of not ten minutes before. As her tears lessened he began:
Our son is special he said, he has every propensity towards greatness, but he has no focus, no desire, no drive, forever he will be misunderstood even as he will constantly misunderstand others, anguish and recrimination will be ever upon his mind and obsession will be a constant companion. Concerns will go on around him of which he has no interest, regular things, things of importance, these will go unnoticed, but the most mundane or infinitesimal things will as much grip him for hours, weeks, or months to the exclusion of all else. His peers will remain aloof, sometimes from their own decision and sometimes from his and mores the like, he will live at home with us ?til we can care for him no longer, this is his affliction. Truth to tell there is more but I shan?t go on just now.
His wife had listened resolutely, offering no interruptions only growing weaker for fear of fainting, all her imagined wonders for her son would never come to pass, he would miss out on so much, over time he would become a withered husk as he watched the cold world march silently by his window. The infection would spread from the confines of his mind to his once healthy young body and he would lose shape, muscle and health, would in fact grow outward no longer in check. Reginald watched Martha?s face and saw all these things pass over it, a horrible affliction he had thrust upon her to equal the malady that would stricken their child.
Reginald vowed and declared that from this day forward, he would forever curse the name of Asperger.
--------
So there it is, in many respects it is similar to other things I have written before.
Whereas I am usually partial to rambling around the point, I have tried this time to set a tone.
Thank you!
