When It Ain't Over

When you have a young man with Down syndrome in the family, you can think something's over all you want to. But it's only over till the next time. You might think that one of the worst things about vacation is having to come home. And I'd be inclined to agree with you, but I don't. And why? Because there's a Charley in the house. Week before last Brad, Charley, and I set out on our big adventure at the Wilderness in the Smokies, where we would stay at the Wyndham Resort (compliments of some wonderful folks in Brad's church). I have to admit that I had no idea we lived just a stone's throw from such an awesome place. Once we were there though, I looked at Brad and said, "We're never leaving." We hadn't had a vacation since...wait a minute...had we ever had a vacation? I'm talking about the kind where you sleep as late as you want, eat whatever you want, and do whatever you want? Yeah...that kind. It was a week of total luxury. But you know what they say about all good things, and it ended way too soon. Before leaving, Charley went to the front desk and asked if he could keep the room key. So the nice man behind the desk decoded it and let Charley have it. And that was the end if that. Oh yeah? On our way home from church Sunday, Charley said, "Me and Jordan go twip." "You and Jordan?" "Yep." "Where are you going?" He pulled the room key out of his pocket. "I got dis," he said. Then he held up the map. Uh oh. "Where's Jordan going to stay?" "My woom." Uh oh. "Does Jordan know about it?" He looked at me, like, what-does-she-need-to-know-for? Enough bantering. Time to drop the bomb. "Son, you can't just go on a trip with a girl." "But I got da key." "You may have the key, but you don't have the girl. And...you don't have a wedding ring." He got quiet, flipping the key back and forth in his hand. "A wing?" "Yes, a ring. You can't take a girl on a trip until you are married." More silence. "Have you asked Jordan's fiancé if you can take her on a trip?" He glared at me. "Maybe you'd better invite him to go too." That ended the conversation. Until...last night. Brad and I were in the living room when who should appear in the doorway carrying two large tote bags.

"What's in the bags?" I said. "My movies." "Where are you going?" Brad said. "I go my twip." Brad and I looked at each other. Oh no. Not this again... ...and again... In a word...It ain't over when it's over.