A Young Man Sent His Autistic 15-Year-Old Brother Into a Grocery Store Alone for the First Time – 15 Minutes Later, a Cashier Ran Outside Crying, ‘Come In. Immediately. You Need to See What Your Brother Did’

On Tuesday evening, Theo stood in the kitchen doorway, arms stiff at his sides.

    “Did I do it wrong at the store?”

“No,” I said. “No, Theo. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

He considered that, brow furrowed, the way he does when two facts don’t line up. “Then why can’t I go again?”

    I avoided mentioning the store.

I had no answer I liked.

I’d begun treating a stranger’s cruelty as proof of Theo’s limits.

“You’re right,” I said. “What do you want to do?”

“Go back,” he said. “I like the store. But I’m scared she’ll be there.”

“Mrs. Bennett said she’d be there Thursday. What if we do our usual shopping together?”

“Together,” he said.

    “I like the store. But I’m scared she’ll be there.”

***

On Thursday, we went in for our usual groceries. I felt hopeful until we reached the doors.