Saturday, September 6, 2008

THE BARON, PART IV


Jack had an air about him that gave strangers the feeling that he must be someone important. He was very well mannered, well groomed and his aloofness made people basically give him the royal treatment.

He didn't have the typical physical appearance that some retarded people have. It usually took strangers quite a while to recognize the fact that Jack was mentally challenged because he was good at role playing. The fact that his parents were never ashamed of him, and never hid him away when he was growing up says a lot about their determination to make Jack fit in. Typically, retarded people are very good at mimicking behavior and in Jack's case, he had an extensive vocabulary that fooled people into thinking he was very worldly. My grandparents traveled extensively in their later years, and Jack went with them to numerous countries and cultures.

We were all amazed at the royal treatment Jack received in public. The stories were numerous. I have taken Jack to fancy restaurants, and let him give the hostess his name for the waiting list, only to have her seat us right away...practically bowing to Jack! I would ask him what he said to get to the top of the list and he never had an answer.


So, that's just a bit more insight into the man I always called The Baron. The man who wanted to marry me. The man who told everyone I was is favorite....and no bribe in the world could make him change his mind. It was for no other reason than the fact that I was silly. Jack loved silly. Jack used to say I made him hi.steer.a.cal. I was also someone who loved having Jack around. Even when he wouldn't lend me $2 for gas, telling me "if you run out of gas, you'll learn your lesson". I loved making time for him and taking him places like zoos, the beach, and there was always that banana split or any ice cream to win him over.

Now I have a cute story....one that I've hinted about. Jack going to confession. Jack went to confession all the time. He was raised strict in the Catholic faith, and my grandparents used this as a tool in handling Jack, keeping him in check. Don't get me wrong, my grandparents were very strong in their faith, and Jack followed suit...in the tradition of mimicking as well as a basic understanding of Christianity.

Their parish priest knew Jack, and in keeping with my grandmother's wishes, always reminded Jack of the ten commandments, specifically Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother.
The priest would ask Jack, if he was good to his mother at the close of each visit to the confessional.

On the weekends that Jack would spend with me and my family, I would take him to confession with me. I would make sure I went in before Jack so I could explain the situation to the priest. I mean I didn't want the priest to take anything Jack said the wrong way....and of course we never knew what the heck Jack said when he went to confession...so a heads up to the priest was in order.

This one particular Saturday, I go into the confessional, and before leaving give the priest the lowdown on Jack. I open the curtain to come out, and a strange man enters the confessional....Jack is no where in sight! I quickly went looking for Jack and found him exiting the restroom. I told him the priest was feeling ill, and said Jack could just say The Act of Contrition on his own, that was fine. We high tailed out of there.

Seriously? Did I want to be there when that man came out of the confessional? I'm wondering what the man thought about the priest asking him if he was good to his mother.

11 comments:

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

Too funny. I would have left too, with flames at my heels.

I love your Jack and Rita stories.

Suzanne said...

Oh my gosh. that is too funny.
You set up that poor guy.
I love these stories, love me some Jack. I mean the baron.

Unknown said...

Oh my gosh- what a funny story : )! I bet the man thought that priest was crazy! Hope you are having FUN!

Caroline said...

That's a great story! You need to make a movie on all these Jack stories!

Anonymous said...

Ruth told me he was called Lord Fountelroy (sp?) Bill was The Governor.

Anonymous said...

Hey where are you? I love Jack stories but I thougt we were going to hear about how you were stuck in Dallas and missed the ship.
Knowing you I'm sure you had a blast with Jack.

Carol Z.

Anonymous said...

I love hearing about The Baron; he sounds like he was full of life. I think your readers need to quit correcting your blog- get your own if you have somethng to say!

Keeper Of All Things said...

Hahahaha......
I love how you just took charge......
Something to tell at the next confession?!!!!

Unknown said...

I guess we all have different recollections and memories. I can only blog about mine...not Ruth's or anyone elses. Mine are mine...all good.

Pleasing Procrasinator said...

LOL..That guy was probably wondering what was going on. How Funny.
I love these stories.

Anonymous said...

Oh, excuse me. I guess Ruth had a different recollection. Or maybe she just had a different name for him, being that she is his sister.