There was little change in the Hollifrid Household as even the smallest changes, even as little as a new meal could derail months of Thomas' progress.
Although it was hard to recognise if Thomas was happy or sad, his parents believed that he was happy and they chose to believe that he did know that they were there.
It was 2:15 on Thursday afternoon when Thomas was feeding the ducks at the pond in the towns square when Eliza and her Mum came by.
"Hello" Eliza's mum said to Thomas' dad.
"Hello" Thomas' dad replied. Eliza stood behind her mum as if her mum was a bodyguard protecting her from all the dangers of the outside world. As they talked Thomas thought about what the concept of throwing bread in the pond was. He turned around, their parents were still talking and Thomas stared over at Eliza to see that she was already staring at him bewildered. They were like that for seconds, only seconds, before Eliza looked away but Thomas' eyes lingered staring desperately at the empty space where Eliza's eyes had been.
When they finally had to leave Eliza gave Thomas a warm hug and whispered in his ear "I've never met anyone like you before" she smiled a huge white smile and gave Thomas a kiss on the cheek and then she was gone. Thomas felt an emptiness swirling inside his stomach like a hurricane. And the feeling stayed inside his stomach until he fell asleep.
The next morning Thomas had forgotten everything and Eliza was lost is the haze that was called his mind. How could something that you really care about be gone in a second. Wiped from existence.
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Why Couldn't I Be Like You?
General FictionThomas Hollifrid is Autistic. Diagnosed at such a young age, Thomas is unable to interact with any of the children his age or any age to be exact. But when he falls in love with the girl next door his whole world's lights up. But then, after all se...
