There is something dangerous about the family with autism sitting at a table in the middle of a restaurant. We have had our share of eventful dining out experiences and know better than to take the host up on the lovely center ring. I need to step back and share a few important things before I proceed.

First, the Potter crew walks through the door and #1 hears Rihanna coming through the speakers. Sam almost broke a leg throwing himself into a full out mosh pit style dance (air guitar included...seriously). He's singing the song too. Angie looks back at me and rolls her eyes. She knows where he has heard this song before. #2 is holding my hand and just smiles as #1 takes over the entire entry way with is jumping up and down, head banging, air guitar routine. The other five people we walk by are slightly more than shocked. The high school kids who were host and hostess are trying desperately not to laugh. Angie tells Sam to chill and I tell the hostess that's just his warm up routine. We're parents who get it. Everyone should strike a pose and bust a move sometime when the world around you least expects it.....it's liberating.

The mini-concert ends and the host and hostess are trying to find us a place to sit ....and fast. I am serious when I tell you, the guy takes us to the biggest table in the very center of the restaurant. Seriously, did we not just come through the two front doors and put on a show for everyone? Now, you want us to sit in the center ring so you can show everyone your superior decision making skills? Instead of me laughing at him and making a joke, Angie suggests to our new young friend that a booth.....far away would probably be better. Instead, we get a half booth between the great pyramids and the love boat.

The whole idea of a half-booth is somewhat strange because half the group is sitting there all comfy and able to move around, stretch their legs, move forward and backward. The over half, is stuck in no-mans-land behind a table that shifts closer and closer anytime the free legged ones scoot in their chairs or show off their freedom. Sam sits next to Angie in the booth. Luke sits in a chair next to me. On one side of us, there is this young college age couple sitting on the booth side next to each other. The free chair side is empty.

Now, let's talk great pyramids and Sam. Sam is on the booth side in front of me and we are no more than three feet from a very, very, very old couple. They are clearly not pleased to have children near them. Ah, we have come to entertain. Every single time a new song would start, Sam would spring out from his booth seat and go nuts on his air guitar. Sam has volume control issues and it gets worse when he is really excited. There is no question that both of the great pyramids have their hearing. They seem to jump in their seats and maintain horrified looks as they stare at Sam. I tell Sam to sit down and get ready to eat.....but, this continues to happen at every song change. Sam is right when he says he just can't help himself. I truly believe that if he could harness that abundance of immediate energy that springs forth, he would.

#2 looks at me and says, "Daddy look. Spider-Man bike." Sure enough, Luke is right about the Spider-Man bike and it is hanging on the wall directly above Sam's head. Hanging from a handlebar is a small ET (from the old movie), there's a Star Wars metal lunch box from the 1980's, and a kite. Angie and I have picked up a number of glares and long stares from the great pyramids at this point. Clearly, they feel like they could deliver a killer Tips For Proper Parenting class to us right at this moment. It's when I hear Luke's sweet voice tell me about the bike above Sam that it hits me. We're at a place called TGI Friday's. Waiters wear shirts with red and white stripes on them and they have badges, buttons, and all kinds of flare hanging from their clothes. This place was designed to welcome everyone.....even kids that like to toss a little air guitar into the pre-meal mix. So, the next time I caught the great pyramids looking over, I thought to myself.....someday when I'm a great pyramid, I'm gonna get up and toss out a little air guitar and show the young ones how to do it.

Every day is a new adventure.