April Fool's Day is a favorite of Benjamin's. I think it is because of his relationship to the truth. Autism seems to fortify the need for facts, perhaps to dilute those pesky unreliables like emotions and facial expressions. . When he was little and we explained that this was the one chance in the year when it was okay to play a trick, his eyes widened. With a combination of horror and intrigue he stepped tentatively into the territory of falsehood. 

 

He called his siblings this week in turn. I offered suggestions, like "Hey Micah, it's snowing!" or "Lukas, I broke my leg!"

 

But those were too egregious. Plus he could not bear the notion of leading someone he loves down the dark halls of deception, so he started with a disclaimer. 

 

"I have an April Fool's joke for you. THE SKY IS PURPLE!"

 

The best one he ever pulled off was years ago when he called his sister. Her roommate had a dog that was particularly growly towards Ben. The dog's name was Riley.

 

"Hi Chara. Riley is nice... April Fool!"

 

I tossed a few fibs in Ben's direction that day, but I realized more than before that he takes this stuff seriously. Which is a comment he makes frequently. 

 

"This is serious."

 

I am still trying to understand what it is like for him, as he navigates the real and the unreal. Not that I have it figured out either.