Chapter 22 - WINONA AND KIPLING
Kipling was twenty-three when he finally agreed to meet Winona.
One time.
Mediated office.
I did not attend.
Neither did Graham.
Kipling told me later.
First question:
“Why did you break my crown?”
Winona looked surprised.
Not the shove.
Not autism.
The crown.
“I was angry.”
“At me?”
“At the situation.”
“That’s not answer.”
She paused.
“Yes. At you.”
“Why?”
“You were crying loudly and everyone was watching.”
“I was three.”
“Yes.”
“Was I embarrassing?”
Winona cried.
“I believed you were.”
“Because autism?”
“Because I cared too much about appearances, and autism made you behave in ways I could not control.”
Kipling nodded.
“Better answer.”
Then:
“Why cake?”
“To hurt your mother.”
“Did you know it hurt me?”
“Yes.”
“Okay.”
Then the question I wanted him not to have to ask.
“Do you still think autism ruins parties?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because I was wrong.”
“Did class teach you?”
Winona almost laughed.
“Many things taught me.”
“Good.”
No hug.
No forgiveness declaration.
At the end Winona asked:
“Can I see you again?”
Kipling said:
“I don’t know.”
He never scheduled another meeting.
May you like
He allowed birthday emails.
That was enough.
