Could he, would she?

[Skyler Canaan]

Skyler contemplated life in the barn. He thought about encounters with people, and realized most had betrayed him. He thought this one was different. She didn't seem to leave, like everyone else did when they met him. But she seemed different. Maybe if he talked to her, told her how he felt, she would respond. But then again, maybe not.

[tamuril]

"Hey kid." Tam smiled, walking through the open door. "Thought you might want some of these, I made too many......again" She laughed setting her basket down on a hay bale, the smell of blueberry muffins wafting through the air.

[Skyler Canaan]

"Thanks," Skyler said, smelling the muffins. He took a bite of one. "These are pretty good." He ate the rest of it, and another, before speaking again.

"I need to know something. Am I unlovable, or is it just in my head?"

[tamuril]

"Unlovable? Why would you think you were unlovable!" She laughed ruffling his hair. "You're very lovable kiddo."

[Skyler Canaan]

"Because if I meet anyone, they're always quick to ditch me. So I thought it had to mean I am unloveable."

[tamuril]

Tam stared at him silently for a moment. "Sometimes." She started, sitting herself down and motioning for Skyler to join her. "Sometimes, I think people are afraid of what's different, for many reasons." She paused, trying to word what she felt.

"But I think the main reason is that humans have very particular ideas about how life should play out, certain ways in which everyone should behave so as not to disrupt this normal flow that gives them direction and purpose in their lives. And i've found that when things, or people...." She smiled dryly. "...that don't quite fit the 'normal' mould, enter into the equation, that most people find it very hard to accept it. They've built their lives on this concept of 'normal', it's all they know. They can't relate to much else and I guess since they can't relate to it, they can't understand it, and most people if they don't understand something, assume it must be wrong. In their minds it's not them that's at fault, it's you."

"But it's not you. Don't ever let anyone make you feel that it's not okay for you to be just as you are." She smiled cheekily. "And if they do, set em on fire." She winked jokingly.

[Skyler Canaan]

"So it's because I'm different than everyone else and they can't accept it? If that's the case, I might as well quit."

[tamuril]

"No that's not what I meant. I'm afraid I'm not making much sense am I?" She smiled. "I guess what I'm trying to say is even if everybody else can't see how special you are, you and I know it. And that's all that matters, and if I know the others in this town as well as I think I do, they'll come to see how special you are too."

"Don't give up on them yet kiddo."

[Skyler Canaan]

"Do you love me?" Skyler asked, and was surprised at himself for actually asking.

But after a moment, what he said caught up with him. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that. I don't know what I am saying," he said, hanging his head, embarrassed he would even bring that up.

[tamuril]

Tam smiled, this kid was too precious. "How could I not?" She said hugging him warmly.

[Skyler Canaan]

"Because, it's the same as it's been everywhere else," Skyler said as he walked out of the barn, dejected.

[tamuril]

Tam sighed in defeat and took a muffin out of the basket, it seemed she was losing her touch.