| Fan Fiction |
by Suki Chan
“Danny!” Olivia walked over and greeted.
Danny was very surprised, but he was also happy to see her, “Olive.”
“Listen Danny.” Olivia tried to explain to him, “Matt is sick and now waiting to see a doctor. I’m now picking you up, then we’ll drive to the hospital to go pick up Matt.”
Danny looked confused, “Waiting for Matty.”
“No. Not waiting for him here.” Olivia patiently and slowly repeated, “Matt is sick. He can’t come to pick you up today. So he asked me to do it. So Danny, let’s get into my car. I will drive. We will go to the hospital together. Matt is there waiting for us.” She pointed at her car and softly pulled his arm.
Danny still did not quite understand. Olivia asked him to go with her. He would love to, but no…because he had to wait for Matty here; he was not suppose to walk away with anyone else, “Gotta wait for Matty here. Not going anywhere.” He insisted.
“Matty’s not coming.” Olivia waved and made her tone stronger, “I’ll drive you to pick him up instead.”
Danny shook his head and continued to wait for his brother at the spot.
Olivia scratched her head and called Matt. She whispered, “You’re right. And the books I’ve read on autism are right. He is stubborn. He can’t go beyond routines. I never realized it when you were around, but now I can totally see it from him.”
It was totally as Matt expected, “Let me talk to him.”
Olivia passed her cell phone to Danny, “It’s Matty on the phone.”
Danny reached over sweetly, “Matty.”
“Listen Danny.” Matt said, “Matty’s sick. Fever huh. Saw the doctor already but has to wait to get some pills. Matty can’t come to pick Danny up today. So let’s work out something different today. ‘Cause Matty is sick, let’s do a role play game. Let Danny be the big brother and Matty be the little brother today.”
Danny thought the role play game sounds fun, “Danny’s big brother and Matty’s little brother today.”
Matt continued, “Yup. Big brother takes care of the little one, so Danny will have to take care of Matty. So that means, Danny will come pick up Matty. Sounds good?”
“Danny’s gonna take care of Matty. Danny will come pick up Matty.” Danny repeated.
“Right.” Matt smiled, “And in today’s game, Olive is also playing. She’s the driver. No bus driver today, but Olive is the car driver. So instead of getting into the bus like usually do, Danny will get into Olive’s car. Then Olive will drive Danny to come get Matty. Okie? Get the rules?”
Matt obviously spoke in a way that Danny could understand. Danny nodded.
Matt read his mind, “Danny can’t just nod over the phone. Matty can’t see it. Have to say ‘yes’ loudly so Matty knows, huh?”
“Yes!” So Danny said it out loudly.
“Good boy.” Matt cheered, “Now pass the phone back to Olive, and get into the car. Remember to put on the seatbelt.”
Danny meekly handed the phone back to Olivia and climbed in the car.
Olivia could not hear what Matt had told Danny, but within 1 minute he was able to change Danny’s mind. And there he is now, quietly sitting in the car and putting on the seatbelt. Olivia found it amazing, “Gee how did you do that?”
“Because he’s my twin brother.” As simple as that.
********************
“…are you ok?” Olivia got off the car and approached Matt, “What did doctor say?”
“Weak immune system. Caught a flu.” Matt whispered.
She held Matt’s arm to help him getting into the car.
“I only have a fever. You don’t have to hold onto me like that. I ain’t gonna fall.” Matt squeezed out a smile, though he indeed felt very tired and dizzy.
“Ok now. Ready to go home.” Olivia started the car.
Danny looked at Matt, then caringly reached out his palm and put on his brother’s forehead, “Sick.”
Matt comforted Danny and patted his hand.
“Have the pills…yup…now take a nap. Will make you some congee. You can have it later on.” Olivia fed Matt with the medicine and pushed him to the bed.
“I can make the congee. Oh and I have the whole basket of laundry to do…” Matt struggled up. His routines were always so busy that he did not feel comfortable letting go of things. He just could not calm down and rest.
“Sleep.” Olivia commanded, “We can take care of the things.”
Matt fell on the bed. He closed his eyes for a while, then was unsure if they were doing ok. He peeked that Olivia was cooking in the kitchen. Danny wanted to help on the side, so she patiently taught him how to add water to the pot and stir in the rice, while she went to take care of the dirty clothes. In the meanwhile, she checked on Danny a couple times to make sure he was safe with the stoves. The two of them were working out well.
Matt felt a peace of mind. He finally eased up and fell in deep sleep.
********************
Just when Olivia got into her house and put down her bag, her phone rang, “Hello?”
“Olive.”
“Danny?” Olivia wondered; she just came back home from their place, “What’s up? Is Matt ok?”
“Matty’s sleeping.” Danny lowered his voice so he will not wake his brother up.
Olivia felt relieved, “Oh ok. So what’s up?”
“Hm…” Danny said, “Wanna make sure you got home safe.”
Olivia chuckled, “Danny’s so gentleman, huh? Where did you learn that? From TV shows?”
“Matty used to call up Ivy and say that.” Danny whispered.
Olivia was stunned. A thought arose in her head.
“Yeah.” Danny did not hear her and wondered.
“Oh.” Olivia faltered, “…hm…Danny it’s pretty late at night. It’s bed time. Gotta hang up now.”
“…hm…no…” Danny wanted to keep her on the phone.
“Be good, ok?” Olivia was like comforting a child, “Go to bed now. Will talk again tomorrow.”
“Olive promises to talk again tomorrow.” Danny curled his lips.
“…ok. Olive promises.” She said, “Goodnight, Danny.”
“Goodnight Olive.” Danny said meekly and hung up.
*********************
Matt recovered soon and resumed to his regular schedule. He was a tough and strong guy. Nevertheless, Olivia’s caring deeply touched his heart. She came over to their place every night, even just for a short while, to check up on things. And to let Matt having more time to rest, she helped with a bit of their housework and take care of Danny.
Danny and Olivia seemed to get along really well. She was very considerate, patient and kind, but at the same time could play around kiddish games with him. She could be a good big sister to Danny, Matt thought.
“There’s only one left. Here…you can have it.” Matt put the last chicken wing on the plate into Danny’s bowl.
“Hm.” Danny enjoyed it.
“How do you find this comparing to the ones Olivia made for us last week?” Matt asked.
Danny thought, “Both good.”
Matt dropped down his head to eat, then mumbled softly, “…hm…Danny. What do you think of Olivia?”
Danny paused, then said, “Olive’s pretty.”
Matt was surprised by his comment, so he did not know how to respond instantly.
“…pretty like a doll.” Danny added.
Matt bursted out a chuckle, “Now I remember…you used to have a doll with big eyes and short hair. You loved to hug it around all the times until her arm broke and dad had to throw it away. You cried for like 2 days afterwards. Hey…Olive does look a bit like that doll! No wonder you say she’s pretty! Haha that’s too funny…”
Maybe…Danny thought. He was not sure either. But Matty says so, and it must be right. Matty’s always right.
“Such a silly little boy.” Matt stroked his hair and teased.
***********************
This day, the three young people went shopping together.
“Your birthday is coming up. This is the first time celebrating birthday for you. What do you want as gift?” Matt asked and casually pointed at the display windows.
“I can ask for anything?” Olivia rolled her eyes.
“As long as you like it.” Matt said softly.
A soft sweet smile lit on Olivia’s face.
Both knew there was something developing between them. It was always the most charming moment in a relationship, when the bud was first growing inside their hearts, filled with sweet guesses and fascination.
They walked down the street side by side. Matt softly reached over and wanted to hold Olivia’s hand. She shyly looked away, waiting for him to take the first move.
“Ice-cream! Ice-cream!” Danny excitingly jumped and grabbed them. He pointed at the colourful van with music playing out loudly.
“Wow let’s go get ice-cream!” Matt glanced at Olivia and smiled, then he got pulled away by Danny to buy the ice-cream.
“Olive, ice-cream!” Danny dragged her also.
The three enjoyed the sweets and continued strolling down the street.
“What time do you have to go?” Matt asked.
“Have to go pick up grandma at the airport.” Olivia looked at her watch, “There’s still time.” She wanted to stay for longer.
Danny licked the ice-cream and smiled at Matt and Olivia. There was the sweets, and there were his two favourite persons staying by him. He was happy.
“…hey they start selling this limited edition stuffed toy today?!” Olivia passed by a store and opened her eyes widely.
“What? You want this doggie?” Matt looked at the big sign by the door.
“Yeah I’ve been waiting for a month since they put up the ad! Now finally they’re selling them!” Olivia was excited, then her mood went rapidly down seeing the long line-up, “Gosh so many people!”
“Olive wants the doggie toy.” Danny wondered.
Olivia was very disappointed, “Such long line-up but I have to go now. And tomorrow I have classes whole day and can’t come shopping. And then it’s going to be weekend so tons of people will be here to line up. The doggies will run out soon. I think I’ll never get one this time.” She sighed.
“Olive wants the doggie toy. Olive can go now.” Danny suddenly walked to the end of the long line up, “Danny will get doggie for Olive.”
Olivia was shocked.
Matt laughed, “Guess what Olivia. Danny always hates lining up and doesn’t have patience to even wait for a bit at restaurants. Look he’s lining up to get a toy for you now! Amazing! Gee you’re such a buddy-buddy to him! He’s never even done that for me haha…”
Olivia looked serious, “Danny. Forget it. Don’t line-up for me. It’s crazy long wait.”
The stubborn Danny did not move and stood still in line, “Olive wants the toy.”
“No Danny.” Olivia was touched, but… “Don’t do this for me. You don’t have to do this for me.”
“Olivia you can go since you’re in a rush. We have nothing else to do this afternoon anyway. Promise we’ll get the doggie for you.” Matt joined Danny at the line, “As your birthday gift, sounds good?”
“Matt…” Olivia did not know how to tell Matt about her feelings.
“Go go go. Your grandma’s waiting for you!” Matt waved and paced her away.
Olivia looked at the time and reluctantly left the two guys.
*********************
“Hi Matt, how are you?” The team leader at the sheltered workshop, Betty, greeted Matt as he was here to pick up Danny.
“Good. Thanks.” Matt looked over; Danny was still cleaning up his desk and packing up.
“We made some woodcrafts work today, so it’ll take Danny a bit longer to clean up.” Betty said.
“He sure loves crafts work. Look how happy he is.” Matt watched the little smile hanging on Danny’s face. He felt happy too.
“In fact Danny looks quite cheery recently.” Betty tittered, “Matt, is Danny having a little girlfriend now?”
“Huh?” Matt thought he heard it wrong.
“A couple days ago our group was chatting about the upcoming party for the birthdays of the month. Afterwards, Danny suddenly pulled me to the side and asked me what a girl likes to do on her birthday. He’s trying to do something to make the girl happy. I asked if that’s his little girlfriend. He blushed and didn’t say anything.” Betty smiled, “Danny was shy and looked so cute!”
Girl’s birthday?
“As a woman’s guts feeling…Danny must be in love! That birthday girl…must be his girlfriend, or someone that he has a crush on.” Betty felt happy for Danny, “Wow Danny’s turning into a big boy.”
Matt was absolutely stunned.