AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I cackle. “It’s pretty hot,” I agree, and let him keep reading.
“It’s pretty hot,” we hear from behind us.
“What the hell?” I say, laughing. “I thought you turned it off.”
“I did,” Oliver grouses, slipping out of his seat and searching for the mechanical bird. It hasn’t mimicked us in a while and now it’s going at it again. A moment later he’s bringing it back to his seat and sitting down with it as he examines it. “It’s on again. How did that happen?”
I shrug. “Beats the hell out of me. I think it might be possessed.”
He turns it off again as it starts to repeat my words and sets it aside. “Can we find another one?” he asks, and I start, looking at him.
“You want another talking bird?” His eyes widen so much it’s comical.
“Oh, dear God, no, I meant the restaurant. Barrel whatever?” I laugh again.
“Cracker Barrel,” I say, and he nods.
“Yeah, I’m sure we can find one on the way.” He grins and we sit in silence for a moment longer before he speaks again.
“You’re majoring in psychology, correct?”
I glance at him. “Yeah, why?”
“I just realized I didn’t know what you were going to school for. We never really talked about it. You just mentioned some classes one night at dinner with your mother.”
“Oh, um, yeah, I plan to get my masters in child psychology after I finish undergrad, and then hopefully eventually my doctorate.”
“That’s very admirable,” he says, his tone sincere and genuine, like he’s proud of me. Why does that make my chest squeeze?
I shrug. “I just find it an interesting field of study and enjoy working with children. I’d like to be a developmental therapist. I think there’s a lot of kids, and parents out there who struggle because they don’t know what is causing their child to be upset or what challenges they’re facing and how to help. I’d like to be able to make things easier for them.”
“Did you have any challenges as a child?” The words come out slowly as if he’s not sure he should be asking.
“I got diagnosed with ADHD as a kid. Struggled in school. It wasn’t severe, but it made things for my mom and me more challenging, and the doctor we had really helped. I also have something called auditory processing disorder, which is kind of what it sounds like. I have trouble processing spoken information sometimes, like it actually goes in one ear and out the other. It’s just harder to understand because my brian and my ears don’t coordinate. One way I’ve heard it described is like a tape playing too fast, so the words are going at a faster speed than my ears can process them.”
“Did you get treatment?” he asks. I nod.
“I had a specialized education plan in school. They had special headphones for me that helped reduce background noise to make it easier for me to hear what the teacher was saying. I had some auditory therapy, and I brought recording devices with me to school.”
“Do you have a specialized plan in college?”
“Not officially, but I’ve talked with some of my professors in the classes I’m struggling with more and they’ve been really good about helping me out. Giving me extra time for tests or letting me be in a quiet room by myself.”
He nods. “That you want to go through so much extra schooling even with your diagnosis is impressive. That doesn’t frighten you?”
“Maybe a little. I think it will be more of a challenge for me, but I can’t let it keep me from doing what I want to do. And I’ll be that much prouder of myself when I’ve accomplished what I’ve set out to.”
“Indeed,” he replies.
He goes back to his book and a while later we’re pulling up to my surprise visit. He’s so engrossed in his book he’s not even aware we stopped until I unbuckle and stand, then take the kindle out of his hands and set it aside as he looks up at me, frowning.
“What are you doing? I was reading that!” He reaches for it and I pull it away again, laughing and gesturing out the window. He turns and his eyes widen at the beautiful lush flower garden we’re parked outside of. I found out about it while searching for places to stop between Philly and Baltimore and knew Oliver would love it. It’s got multiple different gardens, each with gorgeous plants, trees, and flowers arranged in what they call districts. The pictures online were stunning, but as we walk into the Hillside Garden, one of the many on the premises, I’m stunned by the gorgeous scenery and the pathway dusted with moss, winding through the six acre garden. There’s the sound of waterfalls in the distance as we walk, hand in hand, through the tranquil landscape.
After Hillside Garden we visit Oak and Conifer Knoll, which houses majestic, ancient trees in a sprawling park-like landscape.
When we reach the Conservatory District, which contains an array of plants in rooms of 19th century classical architecture, Oliver’s eyes widen in wonder. It’s like watching a child on Christmas morning. He’s enraptured, and I love watching him move around the space in awe. He marvels at the architectural landscaping in Cascade Garden, and I wonder what it would be like for him to do something like this. Something that makes himtruly come alive. He hasn’t said a word since we’ve entered, but I don’t mind at all because I know he’s taking it all in and I want him to enjoy every moment.
The indoor children’s garden is adorable and charming and looks like something you would see in a fairytale, with its fountain and balconies. There’s an Orchid House, a Waterlily Court, and more.
