I stepped down from the car as the valet handed me my ticket. I walked towards the doors feeling a bit nervous. I didn't really know this woman and now I was going to lunch with her. Wasn't it a bit weird? I guess not. It's probably just me. Once I walked inside I scanned the restaurant looking for her. She raised her hand and elegantly waved to catch my attention.

I walked over to her, feeling my legs slightly shaking. Next to her was her son who was focused on a book in his hands.

"Hi dear, I'm glad you could make it. I never got to ask you your name," she said standing up to greet me.

"My name is Camila," I said.

I noticed that at the sound of my voice Justin glanced up at me before going back to his book.

"What a beautiful name," Pattie said.

"Thank you," I said as I sat down.

"I hope you don't think this is weird, I just thought that I could do something nice like buy you lunch for what you did," she said.

"Oh it's okay, you don't have to buy me lunch, the invitation was enough," I said giving her a smile.

She smiled back, "I insist. Tell me what do you do for a living?"

"I just received my teaching credentials. And I just got accepted to start teaching at Santa Monica Elementary school. I'm going to be a third grade teacher," I explained.

"That's great! You must love kids then?"

"Yeah, absolutely, I could never teach teens," I said.

She laughed, "Yes they are very difficult at times."

"I agree. What is it that you do?" I asked.

"I'm a lawyer," she said, "I work at Whitman firm."

"Interesting, I wanted to be a lawyer once but teaching caught my attention more," I said.

"I was the exact opposite," she said.

"Can I get you anything to drink?" A waiter asked.

Pattie ordered a bottle of wine and I just ordered some water.

"Justin what do you want to drink?" She asked.

He didn't respond until she tapped his shoulder. Then he glanced up at her and began rocking back and forth.

"Sprite?"

He quickly shook his head.

"Pepsi?"

He shook his head no again.

"Lemonade?"

He smiled and gave a quick nod.

"And he'll have lemonade," she said.

"I will be back shortly," the waiter said.

I wanted to make a comment about Justin's autism but I thought that it would be rude so I kept my silence as I looked over the menu. I decided on salmon.

I watched as Pattie snuck the menu on his lap and under Justin's view so she could ask what he wanted. It took them a while but he had finally agreed to something.

When the waiter came back we were ready to order and ordered after he placed our drinks down.

"You must think it's hard," she said.

"Very," I agreed.

"It sometimes is. It all depends on the mood he's in or the circumstance we're facing. If he's upset it's ten times more difficult and if I have a full schedule it's even worse. But I've mastered his ways and in a way I know what he wants without him actually saying it," she explained.

"So when you work what happens to Justin?"

"I had a nurse but as you saw she failed to do her job. I have found another nurse and she'll be helping me tomorrow since I have work," she said.

"That's great, cross your fingers that she doesn't turn out like the last," I said.

"I know. I sure hope she doesn't," Pattie said.

We continued talking about each other, our likes, our dislikes, our family, and it seemed like she was a great person. While she ate she helped Justin eat as well. She was a great mother, it's just work was in the way and she needed to make a living.

: :

It was now Saturday and I was doing my grocery shopping. I was in the produce section picking out tomatoes while I hummed a small tune to myself. I moved onto the cumbumbers and then to the lettuce.

"Camila?" A feminine voice asked.

I turned around and found Pattie standing with her son next to her. He was looking down like always, softly rocking back and forth.

"Hi Pattie how are you?" I asked.

"I'm great, how are you?" She asked.

"I'm good, just getting some grocery shopping done," I said.

"Me too, Justin decided to tag along, right Justin?" She asked.

Justin looked at his mom for a split second before looking back at the floor.

"He's not good at communicating," she said, "just a few seconds ago I saved him from having an episode. He hates loud placed and unfortunately the grocery store is pretty loud."

"Aw well he's good now right?" I asked.

"Yes," she said.

"Have you tried going to the farmers market instead? If you go pretty early it'll be peaceful and quiet," I suggested.

"Hmm, never even thought about it, thanks for the suggestion, I'll try it next week," she said.

"Mmhmm no problem, glad to help," I said.

"Do you know of any good quiet restaurants?" She asked.

"I think the café shop on the corner of this street is pretty quiet, a lot of people do their reading there, and the food's amazing," I recommended.

"Oh that cute café? I'll be sure to check it out. Well I'll see you around, once again thank you for the advice," she said.

I smiled, "Take care."

"You too," she said.

Justin glanced up at me before walking away alongside his mom. I watched as he took her arm and she smiled at him.

I went back to my grocery shopping, resuming with the onions that I was picking out.

: :

"Do you think we'll be able to go to Hawaii?" Xavier asked.

"I will be able to go I don't know about you," I said.

"I'd have to ask in advance," he said.

"Well if they don't let you go, just know that I'm going either way," I said letting a small laugh out.

Xavier scoffed, "It's supposed to be my honeymoon too."

"We should go to Paris," I suggested slurping on the last few drops of my smoothie.

"And see the Eiffel Tower."

"Yes, I need to practice my French," I said.

"Or I could practice my Spanish if we went to Cancun," he said.

"Yes!" I said jumping up and down.

He chuckled, "I'll be right back, going to go use the restroom."

"Okay," I said looking around for a store to go into after Xavier came back. I spotted a familiar head of blondish hair and the soft rocking motion of his body. It was Justin. I slowly walked closer, realizing that he was all alone. I must look like a creeper gettin closer and closer. I looked around to see if anyone was looking at me.

I got closer and tapped his shoulder, "Hi Justin."

In a startled manner backed away.

"It's okay," I reassured.

He glanced up to take a look at my face before lookin back down.

"You okay?" I asked.

"L-l-lost," he stuttered.

"You're lost?" I asked.

He gave a slight nod.

"Do you remember where you were before you got lost?" I asked.

He pointed at the restrooms, "M-m-mommy b-bathroom."

"Oh so your mom's in the bathroom?" I asked. "Well she'll be out in a little while, don't worry about it. Come on let's get closer so we can wait for her."

I slowly intertwined my arm with his. Just as my skin touched his he trembled and his face turned a rosey pink. We slowly walked towards the restrooms. Pattie was walking out of the restroom when she saw us.

"Oh no, was he roaming off again?" She asked.

"Yeah, I thought I'd help him come back," I said.

"Thank you dear. It's just I can't take him in the woman's restroom so I have to make him wait outside. But it's great to see you again," she said.

"No problem and it's great to see you too," I said.

"Come on Justin," she said taking his arm, "See you around."

"Okay, bye," I said.

That was about the sixth time I had seen her in the past two weeks. Three of those times she was with Justin. She was a nice lady, very formal, and a great mom but she's usually always working. I just went to lunch with her again a few days ago. I guess we've become close friends.

"Ready?" Xavier came up to me.

"Mmhmm," I mumbled as he took my hand in his and we continued to walk around third street promenade.

Camila is so gorgeous. I cry.