On Sunday, Sam and I went to a nearby orchard where the Amateur Radio Club was having some kind of radio-type get together. The instigation for this visit began some months ago when Sam and I ran into Anne, one of his former physical therapy providers. Having not seen each other for years, Anne was almost as happy to see Sam as he was to see her.
As the two of them caught up, Anne mentioned that she belonged to an amateur radio club and after a little bit of description, asked if maybe Sam might like to check it out. This, eventually, led to Sam meeting her at the hilltop orchard.
Once there, Sam was shown various radios and was shown how they work. Then he, with help, got to talk over one radio to someone in a neighboring town and on another, to someone several states away.
One of the guys spent a fair amount of time with Sam, explaining, near as I could tell, the characteristics of different types of frequencies. This, like the frequencies themselves, was pretty much over Sam's head (get it?). But Sam seemed to appreciate it... and so did I. It was awfully nice of the guy to spend the time.
For that matter, all of the people we met were kind and inclusive which, even without the radios, made it worthwhile.
As Sam and I left, Sam waved to the guy who spent the time with him and called out some call letters which, I gathered, is how you end a conversation when you're talking to someone on the radio. Sam may or may not know about frequencies, but he learned how to say goodbye.
After visiting the orchard store and buying some peaches and plums, Sam and I headed home to get ready for the afternoon.
For the afternoon adventure, Sam was meeting a friend at the mall. This friend was someone Sam met a few years ago, back when they both were taking the same culinary course. Over the years,they've exchanged a few texts so, even though they've never hung out together, at least they've (kind of) kept in touch.
Earlier on Sunday, this friend had texted Sam and asked about meeting to see a movie. After some back and forth (requiring a bit of prompting each time) and after checking out the movie trailer and some reviews, plans were made to meet outside the movie theater at the mall.
This would be the first time ever that Sam would see a movie without me by his side - and one of us was a little nervous about it.
Judging from past experiences, watching a movie with Sam can go in unexpected directions. Sometimes (often times) it means having to explain a scene, sometimes it means offering reassurance - any number of things an crop up without warning.
Once, a few years back, Sam and I were watching a superhero movie which, for the most part, was pretty standard stuff. There was a part, however, where this now-super powered kid, was playing around with his newfound powers by, among other things, zapping text books. If Sam is anything, he's a rules follower - and he expects others to be, as well.
Out of all the pre-filtered movies we've ever watched, this innocuous scene upset him far more than anything before. In the quiet of the movie theater, it took a lot of comforting and explaining and consoling. We made it through but this unexpected scene was (very) rough going for Sam.
As we headed to the mall, this and any number of scenarios - both real and imagined - quietly played out in my head.
Once at the mall, we met up with his friend and his friend's mom. She and I helped each of them buy their tickets along with some overpriced "refreshments". We walked them into the theater (after locating the bathroom for them - just in case) and got them situated. Once again I reminded Sam he had his phone (also just in case), and again reminded him that I would be waiting right outside. Then, his friend's mom and I left.
Outside the theater, his mom and I chatted briefly, then she took off. For the next two hours, it was me hanging out at the mall. Alone. Is there a more boring (yet stressful) way to spend a Sunday afternoon than hanging out alone at the mall? (Answer: Probably not.)
After two long hours, the friend's mom came back and shortly after, Sam and his friend emerged from the theater, seemingly unscathed. I, of course, played it cool.
By most measures, the adventure was a success. The movie had a happy ending, which is important. Maybe the next time it will also be fine. Maybe it won't. Either way, like everything else, I guess we'll deal with it when the time comes.
For now though, I was exhausted. Thankfully, it was now Sunday evening. Nothing left to do but to go home, make dinner and then relax in the final few hours left of the weekend.
