Growling once at my reflection in the mirror, I square my shoulders and stomp back out of the bathroom. Over by the kitchen area, Cree is casually lounging in a sex swing while chatting with Ivan. I glance at the corner where Rocco is still sitting on the floor and decide taking the time for a consult is a good plan. I wave Cree over.
“Smoke break?”
“Sure.”
We head out to the smoking balcony and light up.
“How’s it going?” Cree asks as he leans against the rail and takes a drag.
“I can’t tell.”
“Yeah, that doesn’t surprise me.”
I glare at him.
“He’s not a talker, Casey. If you want him to open up, you’re going to have to work at it.”
“Work at it how?”
“Use your imagination, and consider things you wouldn’t do with others. Rocco doesn’t process social situations like most people do. Sometimes you just have to be blunt with him. I know you’re capable of that.”
“What if he still won’t talk?”
“How you deal with that isn’t a decision I can make for you,” Cree says. “You’re the only one that can determine that. Thankfully, you’re good at making decisions. Rocco isn’t.
“But how is he going to deal with me making decisions for him?”
“I think it might be just what he wants.” Cree tosses the cigarette butt and opens the door.
I stomp out my cigarette and follow Cree back inside.
“He never responds to questions with more than yes or no. I can’t just guess at what he wants!” I’m frustrated, and it’s coming out in my voice.
“Sometimes he can’t talk, Casey. He just can’t. If you really want this to work, you’re going to have to learn to read his signs. That’s not going to be easy, and it isn’t going to happen fast. You have to take your time.”
“I don’t know his signs.”
“Time,” Cree repeats with more emphasis. “You’re going to have to be patient. It took months for him to start opening up with me.”
“I’m going to lose him tonight,” I say. “I can’t wait months.”
“I’m not so sure about that.” Cree looks over to Rocco. “He’s upset at himself now.”
“How can you tell that?”
“Look at the way he’s sitting.” Cree points with his head. “Arms around himself, like he’s trying to be his own rope. He’s mad at himself. He probably thinks he upset you.”
“He did.” I fold my arms over my chest, and Cree gives me a sharp look. “I mean, by not telling me if he was okay or not. He started to panic, so I untied him, but that didn’t make it better.”
“If he’s panicking, try tightening the ropes instead.”
“That goes against everything I’ve learned.”
“Rocco is different. You have to deal with each person differently. Rope makes him feel better. I’ve never had him ask to be untied because he was upset. Just the opposite.”
“I didn’t think about it that way.”
“Rocco is going to challenge you in ways you don’t realize. I think you’re also going to challenge him, and I mean that in a good way.”