Life With Clay

Last Friday night, for the third year in a row, we took Clay to the high school prom put on by the Autism Cares Foundation, an amazing local group.  The last two years went relatively smoothly, so we didn’t expect any surprises this time. Clay, of course, had other plans.

Let’s see. It started out the same.

Dragging out one of my old suits for Clay to wear and hoping it fits.

Check.

Spending 30 minutes wrestling him into the suit and dress shoes, while dripping sweat, blood and bits of brain matter onto the rug.

Check.

Keeping his jacket on, his shirt tucked in and his freshly moussed hair in place while we waited to head over to the high school.

Check.

Standing still while taking pictures in the backyard with Mom.

Check. With some assistance.

Looking like a Silicon Valley CEO while waiting in line at the registration desk.

Check.

Going all nonchalant while getting a buttoniere and beads from a pretty high school volunteer.

Check.

Chowing down on french fries and chicken nuggets while splattering ketchup on Dad’s good dress shirt.

Check.

Getting picture taken with Mom and Dad by professional photographer.

Check.

Hanging with friend Stefan.

Check.

Typing with Mom after dinner.

Check.

Typing that he wanted to dance with a woman. Check. Wait. What? Yep. Here is what he typed on his iPad:

“we so want to ask a woman to dance.”

Clay’s teacher from last year, Cemantha, had stopped by a few minutes earlier to say hi.

“Do you want to dance with Cemantha?”

“excellent idea  i would like that.”

There you have it. So, Mom said, “You’ll have to ask her.” And he typed, “cementha do you want to dance?”

We found her at a table, played the message, and Cemantha pulled him onto the dance floor faster than you can say, “My hair is on fire.”

I took several photos, and they were all a blur. Blame it on dance fever.

The song was over quickly, and, of course, the DJ took that moment to take a break. Still, a pretty cool moment, just before we wrapped things up and headed home.

Getting Mom and Dad choked up at the prom once again?

Check.