The Collection- Giacamo Part 1

The Collection-Giacomo

Part 1

by Margaret Shields

The first time I got high, okay the only time I got high. Casey had a few friends over after high school graduation. Zack brought this premium weed from Mexico and some sweet cheerleaders Sandy and Heather tagged along. They loved Casey- I think he totally played up the fact he was blind and needed to identify the girls by placing his hands on their faces. Although we all knew where his hands ended up, that brought their names to his mind.

Casey, dude. he forgot I was even in the room with them. They had a bong going and Zack had made brownies. I couldn’t stop eating! I felt like I was floating and the room was off kilter. I knew for sure I couldn’t walk straight and would need the girls to help me outside, but it was all good. I was sick for two days. That was awesome how Casey had to explain my possible inhaling act to the doctor! Good times! Casey’s never done it since and consequently neither have I. We do everything together.

Okay so High school was awkward, but that’s probably because I had never been to school before my first day with Casey in Grade 12.  Casey was blinded in a science class the year before. Which was tragic I guess. He was the athlete, ran track and played baseball, but who could sing like an angel and break your heart with a few notes. So by September the following year he had the school’s sympathy vote. So I was pretty much welcomed with open arms and by the way lots of kisses from the girls. 

The only downers were science and gym. I hated Mr. Chrism's science class. He had these turtles in an aquarium beside Casey’s desk and quite frankly they freaked me out!  So weird with their heads going in and out like that!

Gym, I hated gym. It was the only time Casey and I were apart. He insisted on still running so the coach would tie him with Zack and they would take off around the track. I couldn't get over it. It was my job to protect Casey and Coach trusts him with that pot-head Zack?! It took me a while  to get over him finding his way in the world without me. I was new than and still had a lot to learn with this job.

Watson, my man from Flyball and his partner Const. Brad work in the police K9 unit. He says its always difficult working with humans. Other dogs don’t get it, but Watson does. The stress and the worry we go through. What if something happens to them when you are not there. Watson always tells me the hardest part is letting go sometimes and letting them make their own decisions. Sometimes they just want us to be there to pick them up when the fall down. To that I replied it was all right for him, Brad could see the stairs.