Chapter 6

When they had rested for a few, Barb got her clothes back on and then helped Glee back into his. They walked silently back to the house, kissing once, then twice in the shadows before Barb went to her car and Glee strolled inside, his mind whirling with unanswered questions.

Glee awoke the next morning to the sound of knocking on his bedroom door.

“Glee, it’s Mom, may I come in?”

“Yes.” With many, many months of practice, Barb had worked with Glee to be able to utter single-word responses, which opened up many doors of communication between the three of them.

Glee’s mom entered and stood just inside the doorway. “You know what today is, right Glee?”

Glee rolled his eyes playfully at his mom.

“Yes.”

“You have your speech all prepared?” Glee had been asked, through appropriate channels, to come and speak at Barb’s doctoral hooding ceremony at the university. Two weeks ago the story broke on campus and then went viral.

Glee nodded.

“Do you want to go over it with me?” she asked.

Glee shook his head.

“Did you go over it with Barb?”

Again he shook his head.

“Okay Glee. Breakfast will be ready in fifteen minutes.” With that, she left.

Later, Glee dressed in a suit and tie and was driven by his mom to the university. Speeches were given by the dean and the department chair. The doctoral candidates were seated in the front row, followed by the rest of the students. There were about five hundred or so in attendance, not counting reporters from print, social and other media.

“Now I’d like to introduce to all of you a special young man,” began Dean Robbins. “He’s been working with one of our doctoral candidates for many years. Born with a rare form of autism, Robert Gleason is a remarkable example of perseverance and diversity. Glee, as he is known to his family and friends, pulls from literature and history and more to communicate his thoughts. I’ve met Glee numerous times, and I’m proud to introduce him to you.” He looked toward the side. “Please welcome Glee,” and with that, he began clapping and was immediately joined by over 500 sets of hands, including those of Barb, who was easily the most thrilled person in the audience.

Glee walked on stage and shook the dean’s hand, then stood behind the podium and looked out into the audience. He found Barb quickly, grinned, and then resumed scanning the audience.

“I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. ³⁰ My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. ³¹ No man can be a good citizen who is not a good husband and a good father, who is not honest in his dealings with other men and women, faithful to his friends and fearless in the presence of his foes, who has not got a sound heart, a sound mind, and a sound body. ³² I have, myself, full confidence that if all do their duty, if nothing is neglected, and if the best arrangements are made, as they are being made, we shall prove ourselves once again able to outlive the menace of tyranny. ³³