Benicio and Matthew walked up Lower Water Street. The priest was glad he was meeting Jake later. Things were still on the verge of being out of control, but it helped having Jake involved. He felt guilty, though. Jake had more than enough to deal with. The guy’s son was really sick. He hated to put a greater burden on him. I guess it never rains, it pours. He smiled weakly and glanced at his companion. I’m on the run with an autistic child, and Jake’s son is going in for major surgery. It was certainly pouring now.
He kept walking up the steep sidewalk then noticed that Matthew had stopped. He turned to find him looking at a menu posted outside a glass doorway. He stood next to the boy. “You hungry?” He knew it was a silly question, since they hadn’t really eaten yet that day. “We have some time before we meet Jake. Let’s go check it out.”
It was a hotel, and they went into the lobby. Benicio spied the entrance to the restaurant off in the corner. They made their way over and were soon seated in a booth near a window looking out over Salter Street.
A smart-looking young server in a white shirt and black vest and pants came over to their table. “Coffee?” she asked.
“Sure,” Benicio said.
The server looked at Matthew, who was staring blankly into space. “Does your son want anything to drink?”
“Matt, do you want a drink?”
No answer.
“Apple juice? Milk?”
Still no answer. Before Benicio could offer the boy more choices, the server picked up a menu and opened it to pictures of breakfast dishes. “Do you want milk?” she asked, and pointed to a glass of milk. “Or apple juice?” She pointed again.
Matthew put his finger on the picture of the milk.
“There we go,” she announced, and went to get the drinks.
“Wow,” Benicio said. “Good job, Matthew.”
No response.
The server was back with the drinks in no time. “What can I get you two?”
“That was a pretty good trick with the milk,” Benicio said.
She shrugged. “I have a nephew who’s hearing impaired. I guess you just adapt.”
“Well, it’s still a good trick. Think it would work again? I’ll have bacon and eggs, and let’s see what Matthew wants.”
Benicio slid the menu under Matthew’s nose and pointed to a hamburger. No reaction. Mischievously, he pointed to a plate of spaghetti. Matthew immediately put his finger on a picture of pancakes.
“Okay,” the server said, smiling. “Anything else?”
Benicio looked at Matthew, who stared blankly at the wall. “No thanks.”
She went to get their breakfasts.
Benicio looked across the table at Matthew. He wondered if he was doing the right thing. He thought, somehow, that if he saw Jake they’d be able to figure out an answer. He realized that was a long shot. But he knew God would lead them to an answer.
Somehow.