Hannah realized what was happening.
And she protected it.
At first, she worried it would overwhelm Mason.
So she created rules.
No one approached him without asking.
No physical touching unless Mason initiated it.
No one interrupted his meal.
No surprise visitors.
If Mason put his headphones on, conversation ended.
If anyone seemed dangerous or required professional help, Hannah or Diane took over immediately.
Mason didn’t become a therapist.
He became something simpler.
A person who listened.
At ten, he created cards.
Green meant:
YOU CAN TALK TO ME.
Yellow meant:
I CAN SIT WITH YOU BUT I DON’T WANT TO TALK MUCH.
Red meant:
I NEED QUIET TODAY.
Other customers began asking for cards too.
People who were anxious.
People with autism.
People with speech difficulties.
People who simply didn’t want a stranger sitting beside them and asking why they were quiet.
The diner made copies.
