Notes: This is the first time that I've posted on this site. You may have read my stories elsewhere.

I'm posting this story here because IAmWhoIAm88, wanted me too. If you're reading this IAmWhoIAm88, I'm sorry for taking so long. LIfe has been crazy since Covid.

I know some of you won't like that Spencer's a guy. I've also made an edited version where Spencer is a girl. I'll post if you guys want me to.

I have 14 chapters written already. I'll write more sometime after posting those.

Please give feedback. I'll try to use your input to create future chapters. If I use your suggestions I will acknowledge you. Please, be constructive.

Lastly, I don't own SON.

The Odyssey of Me

Spencer Carlin and his brothers Glen and Clay arriving at the beach on the last day of summer break.

Intro by Spencer

Ya see that silver van with the Ohio plates on it? That's me, Spencer, in the passenger's seat. Next to me in the driver's seat is my oldest brother Glen, and behind us in the backseat is my other brother Clay. Clay's in the back 'cause my disability makes it harder for me to get in back there.

Glen: Hey Spence, ya just wanna chill on the beach right? Spencer: Yeah. Glen: Can I just carry ya over to a beach chair then? Spencer: I guess so. Glen 'Cause I really don't feel like gettin' your chair out. Spencer: You lazy piece of shit! Spencer said pretending to be upset. Glen: We need to get a wheelchair lift. Clay: What we need is you to stop bein' an idiot and get the chair out…I'll get it out for ya. Spencer: Its alright, Its cool…Even though, the chair would be easier to get to if he didn't have all that extra crap crammed back there in the first place. Glen: The football and the Frisbee are good ways to get girls! Clay: Yeah Spence, don'tcha know chicks dig Frisbee players? Clay says sarcastically. Spencer responds to Clay in kind; before moving on to Glen. Spencer: Rrrright…Okay Glen, what's the genius reason behind all the other junk of yours that's still back there from the move? We all got our stuff out and unpacked. You still have a couple boxes, one of your suitcases full of clothes, and other random shit you keep tossin' back there. You do realize we left Ohio over a week ago right? Glen: Like ya said, I'm a lazy piece of shit. They all laugh. Clay: Ya sure ya don't want me to get your chair Spence? Spencer: Nah, I'll let him carry me to a beach chair.

Glen and Clay get out of the van. Glen walks over to the passenger's side. Spencer already has the door open, and has swung his legs around, to be ready for him. Glen turns around so that his back is facing Spencer and bends down. Once Spencer's arms are wrapped securely around his neck, Glen stands up. Then he carries Spencer piggyback style to the nearest beach chair with Clay walking along beside them. Once there, the two brothers make sure everything is situated for Spencer then leave. He likes to be alone when not needing help it gives a sense of independence.

He welcomes any chance to appear more "normal", or at least less handicapped. That's why not having the wheelchair was okay with him. It's a lot easier to feel like a "regular person" without it.

Spencer's Point of View

"I was just sittin' there, enjoyin' my last day of freedom before school started. Then I saw this girl with long dark hair, wearing a pink bikini walking backwards in my direction while talking to this muscular athletic looking guy with short dark hair, wearing red swim trunks."

Girl: See ya later Aiden. Guy: Later.

"The guy turned and walked away. However, the girl tripped over my beach chair and landed on the other side of me. As I sat there watchin' the whole thing, now lookin' down at the girl on the sand, I started to worry. "

Inner Monologue

"That was funny…Don't laugh… It's a good thing this chair's made outta wood or I'd be on the ground too. I hope she doesn't need help up…If she does, and I can't help her she'll think I'm bein' mean…"

Imagined Scenario within Inner Monologue

Girl: Don't bother helping me up or nothin' geez! In a sarcastic angry tone Spencer: Sorry, I…Next Spencer imagines being cut off by the girl. Girl: Ya know what? Save your bullshit excuse about how you can't take two damn seconds out of your day to help me up. The girl berated. Then she stood, wiped sand off of herself, and stormed away furiously.

Inner Monologue Resumes

"I really hope she doesn't need help! "

End of Inner Monologue/Imagined Scenario

Spencer was brought back to reality by the girl's laughter. When the girl laughed Spencer felt comfortable joining in.

Spencer: You okay? Ashley: Yeah, I'm fine… except for a slightly bruised ego. She laughs again then stands up and wipes sand off of herself. Spencer: Ya gotta name, or should I just call ya Miss. Clumsy? They both laugh. Girl: Ashley Davies…You? Spencer: Spencer Carlin. Ashley: Haven't seen ya 'round. Spencer: We recently moved here from Ohio. Ashley: Who's we? Me, Mom, Dad, and two brothers…While we're on the subject of who people are…Who was that guy you were talkin' to? Ashley: that's just Aiden he's a friend of mine. Spencer: A friend you couldn't take your eyes off of long enough to watch where you were goin'. It's not like that…new subject…ya said you moved here with your family? Spencer: Yep. Ashley: Are they here? Spencer: My brothers are. Where're they at? Spencer: Glen's probably makin' Clay toss a Frisbee into a group of unsuspecting girls so he can intentionally "fall" into them, with the ultimate goal of gettin' laid. Ashley: Does he actually think that works? Spencer: Well, ya said ya didn't trip 'cause ya couldn't take your eyes off Aiden. So, maybe you were tryin' to pull the same trick with me? Both Spencer and Ashley laugh. Then, Ashley changes the subject again. Ashley: What school are you guys startin' at tomorrow? Spencer: King High…Where do you go? Ashley: I go to King! Spencer: Cool I've already gotta friend! We are friends aren't we? Ashley: Sure. Spencer: Good…then you can call me Spence…all my friends back home did. Ashley: Okay Spence and you can call me Ash. Spencer: Cool. Ashley: Well Spence, I gotta go if I wanna avoid one of my mom's classic borderline psychotic freak outs, but I'll see ya tomorrow in school! Spencer: See ya then, Ash!

The Carlin's are going into school for their first day.

Spencer looks around excitedly. Spencer: Check it out guys…the lands all flat, there's lots of Handicapped Parking, and even elevators! Clay: A lot better than home eh Spence? Spencer: That's not sayin' much. Spencer responds sadly. Glen: C'mon guys.

With that the three brothers enter the school.

Moments Later

Spencer spots Ashley talking to Aiden, and some other kids.

Spencer: Hey guys, there's Ashley, (pointing at the girl with the long dark hair down the hall) the girl I met yesterday at the beach. I'm gonna go say hi. Glen and Clay follow as Spencer wheels over to Ashley who has her back turned and doesn't see him coming. Spencer: Hey Ash! Ashley recognizes the voice and turns around, but doesn't see Spencer because; she's expecting someone to be standing eye level to her. Ashley: Spencer? Spencer: Down here. Ashley looks down and sees her friend in a wheelchair. Ashley: Oh my God! What happened to you? Spencer thinks for a moment and realizes that because of how things went down the day before, Ashley must not have noticed the disability. Spencer: I'm handicapped. Ashley: Since you were born? Glen: Nope we got in a car wreck on our way back from the beach last night. He says being a smartass, and poor Ashley believed him. Ashley: Really that's horrible. Spencer slugs Glen hard in the arm. Glen: (while rubbing his arm) Ouch! Damn Spence I forgot how strong you're upper body is. Clay laughs. Spencer: She doesn't know…You ass! Glen: How could she not notice that? Ashley: Good point…How did I miss that? Spencer: 'Cause I didn't have my wheels and 'cause you were walkin' backwards when you tripped over my beach chair. Then when you stood up you were on my good side so you didn't see this…(holds up his disability effected bad right arm which he can't straighten all the way.) oh, and its not that easy to notice anythin' wrong with my legs when I'm sitting or laying down…especially when I don't have my braces on. Ashley looks down at his legs and sees the braces. Ashley: Oh… Spencer: You're not freaked out or anythin' are ya…you'll still be my friend right?

Bell Rings

Ashley panicked. "Shit…I gotta get to class. She races down the hall to her first class leaving Spencer confused and worried. Clay: Don't worry Spence. Glen: Yeah, anybody who doesn't wanna be your friend 'cause you're disabled isn't worth it. (Spencer smiles and laughs) I know you guys are tryin' to help, but I'm Bi Polar tellin' me not to worry is kinda like tellin' a five year old who's hopped up on a million pixie stix to stand still…it ain't gonna happen. They all laugh. Clay: Well, we better get to our classes, and Spence if you're gonna worry no matter what, just try not to over do it. Glen: Looks like ya got one more thing to worry about thanks to Clay. Spencer: Yeah, now I gotta worry 'bout not worryin'. Thanks Clay. He and Glen joke sarcastically with Clay. Clay: Any time, Spence! Clay plays along.

Lunch Time

Spencer pulled a chair out of the way, wheeled up to the table, and sat alone at the end of a table just staring at his food, depressed because Glen and Clay have another lunch period, and because of Ashley.

Spencer's Inner Monologue

"This sucks! I need to figure out how to switch to Glen and Clay's Lunch Period…What's up with Ashley? She didn't seem like the type to judge people 'cause they're different…She did though…I'm usually good at readin' people…guess I was wrong. Guess she's another close minded self centered two faced bi…"

End of Inner Monologue

Spencer's thoughts are interrupted again by a familiar voice.

Ashley: Want some company? She said cheerfully. Spencer: I'd love some…just not yours. Spencer countered angrily. Ashley: What's the matter? Ashley asked hesitant and concerned. Spencer: You! Ashley: I don't know what I did, but I'd like to talk 'bout I (Ashley sat down across from Spencer.)…I really wanna be your friend. Spencer: Then why'd ya run after ya found out? Ashley: I had to get to class. Spencer: Bullshit! You coulda taken an extra minute to say if you'd still be my friend or not. Spencer added. Ashley: I'm sorry. I wasn't thinkin' you're right I shoulda said somethin' before rushin' off… (Her very apologetic response and obvious sincerity put a smile on Spencer's face.) ...Of course I'll still be your friend. Ashley added returning the smile.) Spencer: Even though I'm like this? (gestures to his body) Some people are gonna say stupid shit 'bout me and if you're my friend they'll probably be mean to you too. Spencer warned. Ashley: Yeah, people can say what they want…I'll still be your friend. Hell, besides your obvious coolness, I wanna be your friend 'cause of your handicap…It makes ya one of the most interestin' people I know. Spencer: Really? Then, I bet you're curious huh? Ashley: Yeah. Ashley hesitated. Its okay, everyone is. Tell ya what…ya got a piece of paper and somethin' to write with? Spencer asked. Ashley: I think so…hold on. (She started rifling through her purse, and pulled out a pen and a little notepad.) …Here you go. Spencer took the pen and notepad from Ashley, and he wrote the address to the Carlin home down, then handed it back to Ashley…Come over after school and you can ask me anythin' ya want.

Bell Rings End of Lunch

Ashley: (with a smile as she gets up from the table) See ya after school, Spence! Spencer: (smiling back) Lookin' forward to it, Ash! Then, Ashley walks away in one direction as Spencer wheels off in the other both hoping the rest of their classes would fly by so they can hang out together at Spencer's.

Next The Odyssey of Me, Ashley learns details about Spencer's disability.