To Make a Change
”Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” Dr. Seuss
The drive to Ms. Summer’s house, took about 20 minutes. The car slowed and turned onto a quiet road. It was so much different than Privet Drive. Each house didn’t look like an exact copy of the one next to it. It was so green, and bright. It looked warm. It felt warm too. Can a street feel warm? Even if it shouldn’t, this one definitely did. Harry saw the street sign show Flowers Path. Looking out the window, he saw that the name could actually be quite literal. There was so much space between one house and the next one. There was open grass fields and paths of flowers scattered throughout the space between each house. It was gorgeous. While Harry was very particular about what touched him and what didn’t and everything and anything in between, there was one thing he absolutely didn’t mind and found calming, and that was gardening. He loved it. Harry saw a house up for sale in the middle of the street and then four houses later the car pulled into the driveway.
Looking out of the window Harry saw what he could only describe as a house that had leapt out of a painting. A cozy looking blue and white house, lush green grass on either side of a brick walkway, flowers scattered throughout the yard in an organized, but natural way, and a flower covered trellis archway leading to the back gardens. It was so peaceful here and there was no smog to darken the skies or irritate Harry’s nose. Getting out of the car, Harry took a deep breath, it even smelt peaceful, and clean.
While patiently waiting for Aunt Petunia to join him, Harry all of a sudden felt very tired. Not used to being so tired he cautiously looked up at his aunt when he felt her presence beside him. He caught her attention, signing nervously, he said, “Aunt Petunia, this is going to sound very strange, but all of a sudden I feel incredibly tired.”
Smiling down at her nephew, “I kind of figured that would be the case. You know your needs and body best, so I’ll give you a couple options. First, before anything I want you to eat a light snack. After your snack you can find a cozy spot to sit and read or you can check with Ms. Summer and see if she has a spot you can lay down and rest. It is up to you.”
Harry took his time absorbing what his aunt just said. He understood that things between him and his aunt had been changing over the years, especially after all his testing, but this was new. She wasn’t mean or demanding, she was soft and understanding. Weighing his options against each other he made his decision, “I don’t think I’m comfortable enough to sleep in a place that’s new. However, if there is a quiet place in the sunlight that I can sit and read while you and Ms. Summer discuss things that would be nice.” He couldn’t help but to curl in on himself slightly, hoping that what he had said was ok and that he wouldn’t get punished, and prepared for the harsh words that would be coming from his aunt. Harry was so tense he didn’t notice the look that passed between the two women, when he didn’t get an answer right away, he cautiously looked up. He looked at his aunt’s face and saw a soft, sad look waiting for him. Softly his aunt spoke, “ Oh Harry, I’m sure Ms. Summers knows just the place for you. Let’s find you a snack and get you settled.”
Upon hearing the soft conversation between her guests, Summer decided to ease some of the tension that was building. Smiling warmly she welcomed her guests to her home, “Welcome to my home, I call it cúinne samhraidh,” she said with a giggle. Harry giggled when she said it. Hearing his Aunt Petunia gasp he looked up, he saw a look of surprise and question on her face. He cautiously explained, “It’s Irish Aunt Petunia, for Summer Corner” he giggled again as he signed it.
A look of amusement and awe passed quickly across Petunia’s face. She knew her nephew was smart, but knowing another language was something else. “It is amazing that you know that Harry,” Summer stated softly, “Let’s head inside and we can find a nice snack and I’ll show you my favorite spot in the house.”
Following Ms. Summer inside Petunia and Harry made their way into a cozy looking kitchen. Harry had stopped suddenly in the doorway, his jaw hanging open, at the sight in front of him. It was every chef’s dream. Professional grade appliances and a fridge so big Harry couldn’t imagine it ever being full, and a warm eating area tucked in perfectly in the corner. While Harry had been forced to cook growing up, as he got older he found he enjoyed it. He had hoped that one day, he would have his own house, with his own kitchen, and enough space to experiment with his cooking and baking to his content. This was exactly what he had dreamed of having. It was amazing. It was too much.
Suddenly feeling overwhelmed, his skin started to itch and he felt uncomfortable. He started humming and tapping his hands against his legs in an effort to calm himself down. He shut his eyes tight.
Hearing Harry humming had caused both adults to stop, turning to him since they hadn’t realized he had stopped in the doorway, they saw him trying to calm himself down. Petunia had hoped that she had more time before this happened, quickly she made her way to him. She spoke to him softly, “Harry, it’s ok. I know everything is getting to be a lot to process and that’s ok. We can take things one thing at a time. You’re safe here. Everything is going to be ok. Breathe slowly for me. In and out, just like before.” Petunia and Summer watched and Harry tapped and listened to his aunt’s words. He had stopped humming when she started speaking. Slowly, he opened his eyes, his hands kept tapping, he needed the sensation to center himself. Summer had started to make a light, healthy snack for them all, giving Harry and Petunia space so she wouldn’t make the situation worse.
“Would you like to take your snack in my favorite spot Harry? That way you can center yourself and relax and the overwhelming sensations will go away?” Summer softly called out. Harry smiled, this was why Ms. Summer was one of his favorite people, she knew what he needed and didn’t make it awkward or weird when certain things happened. “That sounds amazing, I have a new book about various religions I want to read to see if it’s interesting,” Harry signed.
Petunia was grateful in that moment that she was able to calm Harry down and Ms. Summer was able to distract Harry enough to stop a breakdown. Hoping a cozy spot, a healthy snack, and a book Harry would relax enough to get some sort of rest. Goodness knows he needs it.
Summer led Harry to a quiet room at the side of the house. Glass French doors opened into the garden and a cozy window nook sat off to side. The sun shown just right, to warm the cushions on the bench in front of the window. Leading Harry to the bench, Ms. Summer pulled a side table over and placed a glass of fresh lemonade and a plate that held a charcuterie board of cheese, meats, crackers and fruits. A simple, healthy, yet filling snack. Ms. Summer softly spoke to Harry, “You just sit here and eat your snack, get lost in your book if you like or simply just sit and relax. You have no worries here and you’re perfectly safe. Your aunt and I will be in the kitchen sitting at the table talking, so if you need anything you come find us ok?” Sitting down on the bench he was led to, Harry took a breath and looked up at Ms. Summer, “thank you, a snack sounds nice. I’m interested to find out what is in my book. I don’t think I will need anything, but I will find you if I do.” Harry opened his book and started to read.