Loren Luddy

“Teal and Purple” Katelyn Yoxall/Camera

“Untitled” Maille Ianniruberto/Camera Burgeoning Concord

Emily Laput Short Story

The world is filled with hate. Every aspect of a person is ridiculed, from their gender to their weight to their skin color. It has been decades since the last World War. When I had my beautiful son, I wanted him to be born into a society where people loved one another, but I was wrong. My dear Johnny is different, though. He sees people for who they are. Two days ago, for instance, we were walking home from school and passed a homeless, African-American man. Johnny walked up to him and gave him a flower that he grew in science class. The man was so grateful. I asked Johnny why he did that and he responded with, “Why wouldn’t I do that?” “Johnny, he’s black.” “I don’t see a difference.” The world and I have some work to do. Ever since my husband, Mike, died when Johnny was born, I made it my mission to give my son a wonderful life and support him through whatever he does.

*** I watched Johnny sitting on the doctor’s table nervously swinging his legs off the edge. With every anxious shift, the paper crinkled beneath him. I placed my hand gently onto his leg and tried to reassure him that it will be okay. 37

Dr. Geil, the ancient and Italian man that he is, entered the room with an extravagant hand gesture, “Hey, Johnny!” All of the tensity that was held inside Johnny was immediately released, “Hey, Doc!” “Alright, everything looks great. You grew an inch. Woohoo! Your heart rate is perfect. All I have to do is take your blood and I can send you on your way.” Dr. Geil smiled. Dr. Geil returned with a sterile, stainless steel tray. As Dr. Geil began his blood draw, Johnny was squeezing my hand so hard that it grew numb. I probably was feeling as much pain as Johnny. Dr. Geil took his tray back to his desk and ran a few tests. He stared at his screen for a long time. He was speechless for once. “Is everything okay, Dr. Geil?” I asked. “Uh, uh. Yeah. Johnny, you have elevated levels of B12. This is an indicator of a highly rare disease called ‘visio equitis’. This means that you literally see no differences in people’s appearance. This is ad ogni morte di papa (once in a blue moon). You’re the only person to ever get this disease.” “Whoa! That’s so cool!” “Um...he’s the only case?” I asked. “Yes, the disease has been common in dogs and mice, so the medical industry knows about it. Johnny, my man, is the only human case.” “Does this mean that I am related to dogs?” “No, sweetie. Your dad and I are your parents. You’re allergic to dogs, any-

way.”

I ruffled his hair.

*** I couldn’t stop thinking about Johnny’s disease. How was that possible? This explains a lot of things, but still: this is crazy. Johnny turned the TV on and channel 3 was playing. It must have been from last night when I was watching my favorite soap opera. “Johnny, turn that off. You know my rules about watching TV during meals.” I poured Johnny’s cheerios into a ceramic, blue bowl when Lisa Matthews, a young news reporter, appeared on the TV with Dr. Geil. I was stunned and didn’t notice the cheerios spilling over the edge of the bowl. “That’s Dr. Geil!” I couldn’t respond. I was shocked. “Yeah, he has something called ‘visio equitis’.” Dr. Geil stated. “Mmhmm. I see. He may be the cure to all discrimination.” Lisa Matthews declared.