Today at the local church thrift shop (I can’t help myself…50 cent books!) a complete stranger walked up to me and introduced himself as Chris and asked me what my name was and how I was doing, where I was born, the nationality of my parents as well as a couple of other questions.  He then told me he was 28, had autism and loved space.  He then moved on to the woman behind me asking her all the same questions, she however stated that she herself had two autistic sons.  I could tell by the womans questions that she was interested in finding out how Chris was coping with life but at the same time I could sense the unease in her voice as Chris asked to see her feet.  He then asked if he could give her a foot massage and if he could have her phone number to call her every week.  It was very obvious that Chris had no social boundaries and the woman made an excuse to leave and hightailed it out of there.  Chris then turned his attention to me so thinking quickly and not wanting to be rude I picked up a science fiction book with a planet and moons on the cover. I handed it to Chris and said “Here Chris I found a space book for you” to which he squealed with delight and thanked me.  He then surprised the hell out of me saying “this is Jupiter, it’s made up of hydrogen and helium with bits of methane, carbon dioxide and water.”  I had to come home and google Jupiter in order to know that he was indeed correct, I had no idea what Jupiter was made up of.  He took the book and went on his way saying hello to other people in the store.  He seemed so happy and I was glad I didn’t brush him off when he first walked up to me.  I wonder though if the other woman felt a little guilty making a hasty retreat? After all she came face to face with a future possibity of her sons and I could see it frightened her. It must be a difficult situation to be in for both the autistic person and the carers.