Snails

"Mama, will Dublin go to my school when he is not autistic anymore?"

"Oh baby, Dublin will always be autistic."

[Lily bawls, throws her head back into her seat]

"Nooooooooooo!"

"Lily, there is nothing wrong with being autistic."

"I don't want him to be autistic forever? He will never talk to me! I want to talk to my brother!!!!" 

[Lily continues to bawl]

"Dublin will talk, baby!....You know how it takes a long time for snails to get to where they want to go...because they move slower. That's what's happening with Dublin. His brain just takes a little longer to get moving--get words."

[Lily's tears evaporate]

"Snails. Snails are so cute."

[Mama wipes sweat off her forehead]

Dear universe, if you could give our little snail a little nudge, Lily would be eternally grateful. 

(Side note: "snail" was one of Dublin's first words. Coincidence. No.)