Upward Bound: A Novel

Walter, a nonspeaking autistic individual who communicates through echolalia and a letter board, is at Upward Bound, an adult day care center. One day, he notices Jorge, another client, slip out through a back door. Concerned, Walter decides to follow Jorge, despite his own preference for routine and familiarity, to ensure his safety.

Walter finds Jorge hiding in a tunnel in a grassy area behind the parking lot. While waiting for staff to notice, Walter reflects on his and Jorge's past, their shared experiences in special education, and the challenges of being nonspeaking. He also recalls his journey through school, supported by his mother, which culminated in his earning an Associate of Arts degree. Despite his achievements, Walter feels intellectually unstimulated and often overlooked at Upward Bound.

Staff members finally notice Walter and Jorge are missing. Carlos, a compassionate and experienced staff member, finds them and returns them to the rec room. Dave, the center's director, reprimands Walter and Jorge, filing incident reports against them. However, Carlos defends Walter, explaining that he was simply looking out for Jorge. Upon learning the truth, Walter's mother expresses pride in her son's actions and reiterates her commitment to finding a better place for him.

The chapter concludes with Walter and his mother sharing a moment of mutual support, highlighting their deep bond and the ongoing struggle to find a suitable environment for Walter's needs.

Tom's daily routine is a series of carefully structured activities, each one a reminder of his isolation and the limitations imposed by his cerebral palsy. Nonverbal and requiring extensive assistance, Tom is cared for by a series of rotating caregivers, including Victor, who helps him start his day. His mother, though loving, is increasingly overwhelmed and considering residential placement for him. Despite his physical constraints, Tom is acutely aware of his surroundings and the conversations around him, often feeling frustrated by the lack of engagement and understanding from others.

The arrival of a new staff member, Ann, brings a refreshing change to Tom's monotonous existence. Unlike other caregivers, Ann engages with Tom, teasing him and treating him as a person with thoughts and feelings. This interaction is novel and deeply touching for Tom, who has never felt so seen or valued. Ann's presence enlivens Tom's days, from their Connect 4 games to their shared jokes during field trips to Target. Tom begins to develop a crush on Ann, fantasizing about a future where they live together, and he gains the ability to communicate through eye blinks.

As the summer progresses, Tom becomes increasingly determined to use his newfound method of communication to connect with others. He practices blinking in response to yes-or-no questions, hoping someone will notice. However, Ann, who is only at Upward Bound for the summer, starts to distance herself emotionally as her departure approaches. Tom's hopes are dashed when Ann leaves without realizing his attempts to communicate. Despite this setback, Tom remains committed to his blinking technique, seeing it as a way to bridge the gap between his inner world and the outside.

The chapter concludes with Tom reflecting on Ann's departure and the bittersweet nature of their connection. Though he is saddened by her leaving, he finds solace in the fact that he has a new goal to strive for. Recognizing Tom's distress, Carlos acknowledges the significance of Ann's departure and shows a deeper understanding of Tom's emotional state, hinting at a potential ally in his quest for communication.

Mariana sits at her desk, stunned by the news from the county jail that Carlos will not be charged and can be picked up after her shift. She cancels plans with Tia Carlotta to look at wedding dresses, feeling torn between her responsibilities to her children and her duty to her brother. Her thoughts oscillate between practical concerns and deep-seated worries about Carlos’s future, reflecting on his lack of direction and the challenges he faces in finding stable employment.

As Mariana goes through her workday, she completes paperwork and observes the clients in the rec room, her mind drifting to Carlos. She contemplates the similarities and differences between Carlos and the clients, noting that Carlos might benefit from a structured environment like Upward Bound. However, she is hesitant to recommend him for a job there, fearing his unreliability and potential to harm the clients. The dilemma weighs heavily on her, especially as she considers the possibility of Carlos being a positive influence with his street smarts.

An incident involving Ben, a client with control issues, disrupts Mariana’s thoughts. Ben disrupts a puzzle activity, causing chaos in the rec room. Mariana steps in to help clean up, which leads her to discuss the need for male staff with Dave. She tentatively suggests Carlos for the position, despite her reservations. Dave agrees to meet Carlos the next day, and Mariana, though nervous, feels a glimmer of hope that this might be the right move for both Carlos and the center.

Ann reflects on her first day at Upward Bound, which she finds overwhelming and anxiety-inducing. Despite her initial reservations, she is drawn to the clients, particularly Tom, whose handsome appearance contrasts with his inability to speak or move freely. Ann's initial discomfort and fear gradually transform into a deeper understanding and empathy as she interacts more with the clients and staff. Carlos, who has been working there, serves as a calming and competent presence. Together, they decorate the rec room for a tiki theme, but Dave reprimands Ann for playing music and allowing the clients to decorate.

Reflecting on the challenges of understanding and embodying humanity as depicted in literature, the narrator, an individual with autism, finds solace in the life of Temple Grandin, a renowned autistic author and advocate. Despite the lack of representation in novels, the narrator looks up to Temple Grandin as a role model for navigating a neurotypical world. During a pivotal moment in their adolescence, a group of parents, including their own, gather to watch the HBO film about Temple Grandin. Feeling alienated and misunderstood, the narrator becomes increasingly distressed by the film's portrayal of autism, culminating in a violent outburst where they shatter a window with their arm. The adults, accustomed to such incidents, react calmly, and the narrator’s father, a doctor, tends to the injury. The narrator’s parents, while concerned, handle the situation with a mix of pragmatism and affection. The following day, the narrator visits their regular doctor, who confirms that the injury will leave a significant scar. This scar becomes a powerful symbol for the narrator, a constant reminder of the need to tell their own story and represent their experiences authentically. The chapter underscores the narrator's determination to find their voice and place in a world that often fails to understand them.

Leaving the center, Dave, the director of Upward Bound, drives home, reflecting on the stresses of his job and the challenges of fundraising. His salary is insufficient, and he often feels like he's walking a thin line between stability and homelessness. Despite his frustrations, he finds solace in the annual Holiday Spectacular, a show that brings the clients and their families together, though it is more about participation than perfection.

Preparations for the Holiday Spectacular begin with Dave’s initial anxiety about the show’s success. He deals with various challenges, including Walter’s mother’s request for Walter to participate, despite Walter’s limited abilities. Dave also confronts the overzealous behavior of Anthony, the show’s star, and the lackluster performance of the other clients. The rehearsals are fraught with difficulties, but Dave remains determined to make the show a success. He enlists the help of the debutantes from a local charity, who bring a festive atmosphere and additional resources, including a Christmas tree and cookies.

On the night of the show, Dave’s meticulous planning is disrupted as the clients, led by Anthony, improvise and deviate from the script. Despite the chaos, the show takes on a life of its own, with the clients and the audience joining in the spirit of the occasion. Walter, who typically struggles to participate, stands center stage and seems to conduct the audience, bringing a moment of connection between him and his mother. Dave, initially disappointed, realizes that the show, though not perfect, has achieved its true purpose of inclusion and joy.

The aftermath of the show sees a mix of reactions. The debutantes and their mothers are pleased with their contribution, but Dave notices the strained expression on Walter’s mother’s face, highlighting the ongoing struggle and pain of exclusion. He also faces the reality of limited donations and the board chairman’s dismissive attitude towards further funding. Despite these challenges, Dave feels a sense of camaraderie and accomplishment, recognizing the unique value of the community he has built at Upward Bound.

Andy faces a challenging day at Upward Bound, starting with Dave assigning him and Chloe to clear out a long-neglected shed in the play area. The task is both physically demanding and emotionally taxing, as the shed is filled with spiderwebs, old equipment, and rat droppings. Despite the unpleasant conditions, Andy and Chloe manage to clear the shed and move the debris outside, only to face Dave’s unexpected frustration when he discovers their work has interfered with a scheduled activity.

Preoccupied with giving a tour to potential donors, Dave initially dismisses Andy and Chloe’s efforts, further exacerbating Andy’s feelings of underappreciation. However, Dave eventually allows Andy to move the truck to the dumpster, a task that ends in disaster when Andy accidentally backs into Dave’s personal car. The incident leaves Andy feeling guilty and incompetent, especially when Dave’s reaction is one of disappointment rather than anger.

Despite the mishap, Dave does not fire Andy, recognizing his value to the center. However, the potential financial repercussions of the accident loom large, and Andy is left to grapple with the consequences of his actions. The chapter highlights Andy’s sense of frustration and the broader challenges of working in an underfunded, high-stress environment.

At Upward Bound, Walter arrives early, and his mom signs him in, engaging in a brief chat with Edith at the front desk. Envious of his mom’s ease in conversation, Walter reflects on the lively exchanges his parents once had, now silenced by his father’s death. This leaves him concerned about his mom’s loneliness, yet he cherishes her continued attempts to communicate with him.

Standing near the window, Walter watches the light dance off the pool. At 8:39, Emma unexpectedly enters the rec room, much earlier than usual. They both gaze out the window, captivated by the same visual spectacle. Walter contemplates the unique ways they perceive the world, wondering if their experiences align. Though they can communicate through pointing to letters, this method is unavailable at Upward Bound due to the lack of trained aides. Instead, they share a silent, profound connection, which Walter values deeply.

Walter and Emma have known each other since childhood, learning to point at letters from the same teacher. They attended college together, but Emma dropped out due to overwhelming anxiety. Despite their non-verbal communication, Walter feels a strong bond with Emma, sensing her underlying anxiety beneath her calm exterior. By the time the first bus arrives at 8:58, Walter feels as if they have shared a long, meaningful conversation, believing he hears Emma expressing her affection for him.

Walter struggles to adapt at Camp Cammie, a five-day adult sleepaway camp for people with disabilities. On his third day, he discovers a pill container in his father’s duffel bag, which he mistakenly brought along. The counselor, upon seeing the pills, panics, assuming Walter has taken them and potentially overdosed. Despite Walter’s attempts to communicate using the only word he can muster, ‘Henry,’ the counselor drags him to the nurses’ office, where the situation escalates into a full-blown crisis.

The head of the camp and the nurses, already exasperated with Walter’s repetitive behavior and his mother’s prior demands, seize the opportunity to expel him. Walter’s parents, who are staying at a nearby lodge to be close by, arrive quickly to pick him up. His mother, furious and protective, confronts the camp staff, defending Walter and exposing the misunderstanding. The camp’s rigid and unforgiving response to the situation deeply disappoints Walter’s mother, who had hoped for a positive experience for her son.

The chapter highlights the systemic biases and injustices faced by nonspeaking individuals like Walter, even in environments designed to support them. The incident at Camp Cammie underscores the ongoing struggle for acceptance and understanding within the disabled community. Walter’s parents, particularly his mother, are left to grapple with the implications of this rejection, questioning where else their son might find a supportive and inclusive environment.

Carlos completes his morning rounds, ensuring all campers are settled after breakfast. However, he notices Jorge, typically stoic and withdrawn, showing signs of distress. Concerned, Carlos kneels beside Jorge, trying to connect and understand the source of his anxiety. Despite his efforts, Jorge remains unresponsive, and Carlos realizes that Jorge needs his comfort item, Mr. Potato Head, to calm down.

Reflecting on his own past, Carlos remembers the deep bond he has formed with Jorge over the years—a silent, almost telepathic connection that allows him to sense Jorge's emotions and needs. Drawing parallels between his own cherished thimble and Jorge’s Mr. Potato Head, Carlos decides to break protocol and fetch the toy, hoping to prevent a meltdown. However, his attempt is interrupted by Drew’s insistence on following the rules, and the keys drop, causing chaos.

In his desperation, Jorge lunges for the toy, escapes the building, and crosses a busy street, drawing the attention of the police. Carlos, driven by a deep sense of responsibility and affection for Jorge, rushes to the scene, only to find the police on high alert, guns drawn. In a moment of panic, Jorge drops Mr. Potato Head, and the situation escalates. Carlos, trying to protect Jorge, collapses across him, and the chapter ends with a dramatic and tense confrontation involving the police and the staff.

Avery, a Target employee, observes the regular Friday morning arrival of a group from Upward Bound, a local adult day care center. She notices the group's routine and the interactions among the participants and their aides. Avery is particularly struck by the new female aide, whom she perceives as energetic and somewhat privileged, and by the young man in the wheelchair, whose striking appearance and disability create a disconcerting contrast for her.

One Friday, Avery witnesses the new aide, Chloe, giving the wheelchair-bound man, Isaac, a joyride through the store. Initially shocked, she is deeply moved by the act of kindness. Reflecting on the group's regular presence, Avery feels a mix of curiosity and empathy, which leads her to consider a career change, specifically in occupational or physical therapy, to help people like those in the group.

As the summer progresses, Avery's routine at Target changes with the influx of summer shoppers, and she loses track of the Upward Bound group for a few weeks. When they return, she is motivated to adjust her work schedule to accommodate her new academic goals, which include researching Upward Bound for a class project. The chapter ends with Avery switching her Friday morning shifts to pursue her educational aspirations, despite the personal loss she feels at no longer seeing the group regularly.

Still reeling from the tragic shooting of Carlos, the Upward Bound community is left in shock and turmoil. Walter, deeply affected by the loss, recounts the events leading up to the memorial service, reflecting on the significance of Carlos in his life and the lives of others at the center. The chapter delves into the complex emotions surrounding the event, from the initial chaos to the personal impact on Walter and his mother.

Walter and his mother prepare for the memorial service, a task that requires them to step out of their comfort zones. They visit the mall to purchase appropriate attire, a challenging experience for Walter due to his sensory sensitivities. The service itself is a poignant reminder of Carlos’s multifaceted life, revealing his deep connections beyond Upward Bound. Walter feels a sense of isolation and the weight of the community’s grief, particularly noting the absence of Jorge, who is still institutionalized.

After the memorial, Walter and his mother return to Upward Bound to finalize their departure. The atmosphere is somber, and Walter finds it difficult to connect with the familiar faces and places. He shares a symbolic moment with Jorge, who remains withdrawn and distressed. The chapter concludes with Walter and his mother embarking on a new phase of their lives, adjusting to a new home and routines, and exploring potential future paths, including education and writing.