Divergent

A young man is running back and forth

Growling 

Grrrrr Grrrrr Grrrrr

Tense and intense but happy

Grrrrr Grrrrr Grrrrr 

His mother stands nearby

Watchful, giving him room

ready to respond 

in case another shopper needs the space he's occupying

As his father pays for the groceries

I'm placing in a brown paper bag 

I don't want to acknowledge that he's

likely neurodivergent

clearly neurodivergent

I don't want to offend

But part of me very much wants to say,

wants to hollar

"I see you neurodivergent brother!

We are mighty! 

We are strong!

Grrrrr Grrrrr Grrrrr litter brother!

Grrrrr Grrrrr Grrrrr!"

Instead I look at his father

his face unsure as I ask

"That your boy?"

He says "Yes." Softly

"Just the one?" I ask

"Just the one." He replies

And I pause in my chore 

Look him in the eye

"Me too."