The Speech Update

Sorry it took so long to write this. I think it’s been the busiest month I’ve ever had in my whole life. But I’m surviving, and I sure hope you are also!

Before I forget, Happy New Year to my Jewish posse! Love you all!

As an update, Stink’s speech went really well. It went basically like this.

Int. Classroom – Dry erase Board reads”Tics and Tourettes”

A blond haired boy, STINK, shuffles in front of the classroom in a too-small Scooby Doo shirt. A bleary eyed MAMA and protective younger sibling, PIP, stand to the side.

Teacher: I’d like all of you to turn your attention to Stink who is going to share something very personal. It is very brave of him to be up here, so please, show your respect.

Quiet all around.

Teacher: So, Stink? Why don’t you begin?

Stink: Okaaaaay. Well, um… see… I have Tourettes and tics. That means I tic. Yeah…. that’s about it.  (Long pause.) So… Mama?

It might be the first time in this young boy’s life he is speechless. This does not forebode well for his Clown College culmination talk where he graduates Magna Cum Loud Mouth.

Mama: You want me to talk now?

Stink: Yeah… give some more details.

Mama: Okay, well, Stink has something called Tourettes. He’s had it since he’s been 4. Basically it means he makes sounds from his mouth or body movements he can’t help. The more you ask him to stop, the more he does it.

Teacher: How does it make you feel when people ask you to stop?

Stink: They can ask all they want, because I don’t mind telling them I have tics, but I don’t like when they go on and on.

Teacher: Well, that’s nice of you, Stink. But what if they do go on and on? How does that make you feel?

Stink: Sad. But they can ask if they want.

The mom and teacher do a double take again, but that’s Stink – always worried how the other kid is going to feel. Mom is happy to have the floor, though, because it’s time to turn the train around again.

Mama: The thing is, Stink can’t help it. We all have things we can’t control or don’t like. Like me? I was tall as a kid. I hated it. And I hated people pointing it out to me. Does anyone else have something that makes them different?

10 hands shoot up in the air. Mom points to random ones.

Girl #1: I have to use a nebulizer to breathe.

Mom: That must be hard, but we still love you!

Boy #2:  I have a twitch in my leg and it’s annoying!

Mom: We know all about twitches in our family, don’t we Stink?

Stink smiles, then he adds:

Stink: Mama gets nervous sometimes and goes to see a doctor to talk about it!

The little shit. So much for privacy.

The mother fields about 5 more descriptions from kids who share their innermost secrets from being a bit chubby, being born with a lazy eye, and my favorite furtive announcement: “I was born with a overbite. That’s why I wear braces – just so you know.” A few kids pat this boy’s back in solidarity.

The teacher finally calls the love session to a close.

Teacher: Okay, so we all know Stink has T.S.. If he makes sounds, he can’t help it, so we don’t have to ask anymore.

Stink:Well, you can ask… (there he goes again) because I can stop… but it’s hard.

Teacher: So what should you do if you hear Stink tic?

Girl #1: Don’t ask!

Girl #2: Ask him to stop but don’t bug him again if he says he can’t help it!

Girl #3: Move away from him if it’s driving you crazy!

Teacher: That third option isn’t really necessary, do you all think? (The class shakes their heads “no”.) I mean, we don’t want our friend to feel bad. I’d say unless you are taking a test and Stink is super loud – which is not the case – you have no reason to change seats.

Stink: But you can ask me about my tics if you want to.

Teacher: Yeah, we got that, Stink. It’s time to walk away from the board.

Stink continues to draw happy cartoon characters with words “Tic Tic Tic!”

Teacher: NOOOOOOOW

Mother: And this is why I take medication. Thanks for letting me speak today, Stink!

Stink: Bye Mommy. Bye Pip.

Everyone hugs.

Stink continues to tic.

Mommy doesn’t even cry.

All in all? A happy ending.

Fade out.

The End