YELLOW BOAT LINES

it began, 10

9

Liam talks

IT HAPPENED

Mother

father

Daddy

You're what! This is great! It is really great, isn't it?

I've never felt so happy

can you feel him yet

no, but I know he's there

he, we both said he

I know

what does he feel like

I choose yellow

it's a boy

the nurse says he's the most beautiful child she's ever seen

she says that to everyone, she's right

he's small and wise and mine

and mine

that's it

what

his name. Benjamin it works in lots of languages translate ben

son

Ja

yes

Min

Mine

son yes he's mine

Ben ja min

this is a story about boats and sails and it takes place in a harbor

far far away

I'll weave you a sail

I'll write you a world

look at this bruise it seems to hurt him if I touch it

it's just a bruise stop worrying

I cry . loud.lots they worry

call the doctor

two pints whole blood

what's wrong

and a cat scan

what are you testing

order up one hundred and sixty units of factor 8

what does that do

everything is under control

how often will he need to go through this

factor 8 is completely safe. almost finished. done.

are you sure he'll be okay

mammas right here can you see what he needs

yeah sure, okay here's the scoop I'll write the story and you color it

oh Benjamin, not on the walls oh….

oh … oh….. benjamin

LINE

look look what he's doing

lines and shapes for a

picture

destination to flower island hoist the sails

aye aye captain

set sail for flower island okay we're there

are you all right

darn I think I need a shot

hospital time

Owewwww

look crayons

I've just got this feeling

you worry too much

doctor says his weight is down, and he's a little anemic

maybe it's a growth spurt

transmitted by the exchange of body fluids

maybe it's the flu, everybody in his class has an upset stomach and diarrhea

new york

tested for what

how do we tell him

the right words will come, uh Benjamin we need to talk

yes he did a couple of special tests. and he found something in your blood that shouldn't be there

a kind of bug a virus

Aids

how do you know

how did I get it

some of the blood that makes the factor must of have had some of the virus in it

will I be alright

yes

I promise you

we're right here, were going to get some answers, what about this azt

two quarts of clover tea daily and wear this crystal

will that help

yes and no

what do we do

nobody knows anything, except me, and all I know is that no one knows anything

it's going to be all right, but we're going to need help on this one, we've got a lot of friends, thank you all for coming on such short notice, we need to ask for some help, lots of help, actually

hey what are friends for?

Benjamin has tested positive for the aids virus

there is so much about this that we don't know right now

we need your help

hey, what are friends for

so, how about we take all the kids to the movies Friday night

why won't anyone come to play with me

were here to play with you

Benjamin would you like some juice

it's like he's slipped away

how about a sandwich

you've got to eat something so you can get better

slipped away on his own boat on his own sea

he doesn't speak he doesn't eat

Benjamin

benjamin

Name

benjamin

spell that please

B

Name

Benjamin

spell that please

B

how are we feeling today hmmm

it's like another country

I'm his mother, Benjamin these doctors need to do some tests

help us with this they need you to swallow this little plastic tube

leave me alone, just leave me alone

tell me what were fighting, aids, depression, what?

not exactly, the doctors work with the sick parts, my specialty is the well parts my work is play

theres not much of that around here

good luck

he won't eat, he won't talk, he won't even draw

he used to draw all the time

he's just not Benjamin if he's not drawing

so close

so bright

dad what will it feel like when I die

I don't know

will it hurt

I don't kn

where will I go

I don't know

will you put me in a box, you know whats left

what do you want us to do

love you

love you too

and I'll always be your little boy

always

almost time for the yellow boat to set sail

well all sail together

just be here, close, and a doctor pepper

reach up and tickle the ceiling stars, makes it easier to breath