Honesty is the key

Authors Note: In this piece, I talk about the main characters, Jason, Catherine, and David, who learn  be honest and accept people for who they are. I worked on A B Transitions, restating what I was writing about in the last paragraph in the first part of the second. I did this by looking at the fusion page for help when I got stuck. 

Guilt, complicated, hidden, and weak are all signs of difficult encounters. It is important to overlook the “bad” outcomes and focus on the “good” outcomes. In the book Rules by Cynthia Lord, Catherine has a family that revolves around her brother, David, who has autism. She just wants to have a normal life, but that’s near to impossible when you have a brother with a disability. Over time, she learned to look beyond the negatives and focus on what the good outcomes are. Friendship grasps the characters in this story, allowing honesty and acceptance to take over.

Friendships aren’t planned, but they seem to happen over time. David went to OT (Occupational therapy) every week for speech lessons and physical exercise. His mom took him there and Catherine tagged along as well, bringing all of her coloring supplies. As she was waiting for David to be done, she decided to start a sketch. A boy named Jason Morehouse noticed the picture she was drawing and asked to see more of her pictures. To do this, they communicated through picture cards since Jason was unable to speak. “If you ever want me to make you more words,” I say, “just ask.” “Thank you,” Mrs. Morehouse says. adjusting her earring. “But there’s no need. These cards are part of a speech program we use, and it comes with a whole book of words. I can copy whatever he needs from there.” Jason shoots his mother a what? look. Yes. More. Picture. (pg. 47) Catherine and Jason could understand eachother, which lead them to being great friends.

Being good friends with someone requires a key component to maintain a healthy friendship, honesty. “I didn’t tell Kristi everything about you. I didn’t tell her about your wheelchair or your communication book. I didn’t know how she’d react. I should’ve because your my friend, but it just got harder and harder.” (pg.195) Catherine was afraid of what Kristi’s reaction would be when she told her that Jason has a disability. Catherine doesn’t want this to be a barrier in their friendship, so she avoids spilling the news to Kristi. She finally decided to tell her the day of the dance that Kristi invited her to.

In order to be accepted, honesty is the first step towards achievement. Before Catherine could accept Jason for who he is, she had to realize that there is nothing he can do about the condition he has. In fact, by the time I’m done, Together. has to go on the final page of his communication book. It sits by itself, a picture of the bench with two people sitting on it. Where? Wheelchair. Jason pulls his brows together. “I imagined you without it. Like in your dream where you can run. Want. Wheelchair. In. Picture. “I just thought ---” Take. It. Out. Jason looks away, frowning. (pg. 166) Catherine drew series of words for his card book, but the one picture on the word card seemed to upset him because only in a dream, could he run. Although, in real life, he got around using his wheelchair.

Honesty and acceptance are the two key qualities to a healthy friendship. Catherine was honest when she told Jason how she felt about Kristi and that she was scared to tell her the truth, which made Jason realize that Catherine was a truthful and loyal friend. Catherine told Kristi about Jason, along with excepting him for who he was, wheelchair or not. In the end, everyone learned an important lesson: you know when you have a true friend if they’re honest and accepting for who you are.