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| SD | |
| By BrianRobertNeal | ||||||||||||||
| 13 October 2006 | ||||||||||||||
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Elipinnock's piece about Diowns Syndrome reminded me of this piece. I've not edited it and it is how I wrote about 18-24 months ago. MIXED DOUBLES Robert asked, “what’s the matter.” SD answered, “nothing.” Robert persisted, “yes there is”. SD replied “no there’s not.” Robert hectored him, “if you don’t tell me, I’ll get very cross.” A now worried SD said “I want a mum.” Robert struggled to hide his tears but failed. He looked at his 19 year old son whose Downs Syndrome Condition had locked into a permanent childhood and his tears flooded out. He remembered so clearly being handed his newly born son. Robert could see that impish little smile that would break across SD’s face at the slightest excuse. It was there from the very beginning and would be there till the day SD died. Robert’s wife had found SD repulsive and had rejected the baby refusing to even hold him! Two days later Robert’s mother-in-law had smuggled a set of clothes into the Hospital. She and Robert’s wife left and fled back to their family home in Dundee. Robert took the child back to his home. His family had amazed him they were not normally close however they had all rallied round. Even his eldest sibling, the spinster Judith had come up trumps. Until SD was born Judith was a sour faced, waspish harridan. Auntie Judith was SD’s favourite Aunt. He had this ability to bring out the best in most people. he met. The divorce had been nasty however to his Ex-wife’s surprise the court not only failed to give her a share of the family home, but also made her pay to support the child and Robert’s cost. However Robert never got a penny from her. The CSA when they came on the scene were not particularly interested in chasing after women. Though Robert found other women none were willing to take on his son. So that was why SD wanted a mother, cos he hadn’t got one. Robert had told SD that mummy was dead, which as far as Robert was concerned she might as well have been. How Robert would have loved to have given his son a mum and not just for SD’s consolation either. SD’s real name was Charles Robert but when he went to an ordinary Junior School, a group of kids had nicknamed him Simple Dimple. At first it was insulting, but the words had a happy funny ring to them and in time it became a term of endearment. It soon became SD. One of Robert’s happiest memories was seeing SD cheered on by his class as he easily won the 100 yards sprint for their school. SD was a good little sportsman, but his stunted build meant that he was soon outgrown by his peers. He was a fearsome tackler at football and was always one of the 1st picked when it came to choosing sides. SD looked at his father and suggested that “What you need dad is a big hug” and he launched himself at Robert sending the pair of them sprawling onto the settee. After they had sorted themselves out; SD told Robert, “I’ve had a nice day at work. Auntie Mary had a birthday and I was called downstairs and was given a cake and a drink. They tried to give me a second drink but I said I started out silly so I should not drink too much in case I got clever. I said that they started out clever but when they drunk they got as silly as me. They all laughed and Big Charlie gave me a hug and said I was precious.” Robert thought what a brave little soul SD was. SD worked in a factory office getting the coffees, running errands, sweeping up and being generally helpful. Sometimes he was sent down to the factory to help Big Charlie. Charlie was an ageing yob. Though everybody had hated Charlie nobody dared get on the wrong side of him. He was a giant of a man but his treatment of SD caused everybody to look at him in a different light. For one day SD could not workout what he had to do. Every time he tried to do it, things went wrong. Charlie had stood laughing at his antics but when the others started to shout abuse, Charlie had jumped in and told them to shut up and leave the little chap alone. Charlie then spent 15 minutes showing SD what to do; Charlie never lost his temper and kept going till SD could do it. Stan, the Foreman had said well done the pair of you. He pulled Charlie to one side and said, nice job son; I’ve got you all wrong. Following that day Charlie was asked to go to lunch with some of the lads. They added bring the little fellow with you. SD loved his job. He was rather like the firms cat, though the girls might not have stroked him they gave him little treats like sweets, cakes and cans of Cola. He went on all the Works outings and usually came home slightly drunk and clutching a range of items that people had won and given to him. His bedroom was full of fluffy toys, funny hats and similar bric-a-brac. One day SD had brought Charlie home. He said Charlie has got nowhere to live so I said he could live here. Charlie said, I’ve brought him home cos he wouldn’t get on his bus without me, so I thought I’d see him home, then I’ll go back to my place, pick up my things and go down the Sally Army. He continued, my landlady aint been paying her rent and we’ve got to get out tomorrow. Robert had said come on let’s go and we’ll pick your stuff up and bring it back here. You can stay till you find somewhere else to live. That was 2 years ago and Charlie still lived with the pair of them. Charlie now had had a car and used it to take himself and SD to work. Charlie had met Auntie Judith and they had become an item. Judith being fascinated by a bit of rough and Charlie being entranced by what he thought was a posh bird, well out of his class. Judith admitted to Robert that to lose ones virginity at 42 was a bit embarrassing but it was well worth the wait. Charlie had said to Robert that for the 1st time in his life somebody had loved and wanted him. Charlie now left his things at Robert’s house but slept at Judith’s. He would pick SD up in the morning, take him to work and drop him back off at night. Sometimes he and Judith would take SD out for little treats. The local Ecumenical Group had set up a club for “the challenged young”. It catered for all sorts of handicapped people although Downs Syndrome formed 60% of the clientele. On the first night Charlie and Judith had dropped SD off. The pair of them had kitted SD out in smart gear and he was very proud of himself. He had a lovely time and made new friends. One in particular, a girl about 17, had given him big kisses and hugs. Robert was outside the Church Hall waiting for SD to come out. To pass the time away he had struck up a conversation with a woman in her early thirties. They both had Downs Syndrome Children. The woman said I worry so much about my daughter, she’s very randy. She’s been on the pill since she was thirteen. Robert said that sex was not something he could picture his son getting involved with. The woman laughed, oh dear what a sheltered life you must live, they’re like little goats and are at it all the time if given the chance. She added sometimes I envy them. Robert thought and so do I. At 10.15 the club came to an end and the parents and minders were allowed in to collect their charges. SD ran up to his Dad and said meet my new friend SD2. The girl looked at her mother and said you’re to call me SD2 that’s my new name. SD asked his dad, can we give them a lift home. SD told SD2’s mum to go in the front of the car and that he and SD2 would go in the back for a cuddle. The two parents burst out laughing. As they were driving off the woman said to Robert, what did I tell you? Robert drove to one of the poorer parts of town and found it quite frightening. Gangs of youths ambled about, and vandalism and graffiti seemed to be the area’s main cash crop. The woman said, drop us here and drive away quickly or you’re likely to get a brick through your windscreen. The woman and girl jumped out. The woman shouted get going now and Robert drove quickly away. SD said I like SD2; I’m going to marry her. Robert did not know whether to laugh or cry. But for the rest of the journey the 2 of them were lost in thought.
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