Teach Me

3: Spreads & Breads

     As promised, Joshua came back on Saturday. This time, the holes in his ears were filled with black circles that Tyler had never seen before. He was wearing a soft blue button up and dark black slacks, and he looked so different from everyone Tyler knew, but so inviting.

   "Joshua," Tyler smiled sweetly. "You came." He pointed out the obvious.

     "I did." He grinned. "Did...did you make any bread today? Can I try some?"

     Tyler paid his question no mind, his eyes focused on something that seemed to be behind Josh's shoulder. Before Josh could look back, Tyler asked, "What are those things in your ears?"

     "My gauges?" Josh pointed to the earrings.

     "Gauges?" Tyler echoed, leaning over the counter to investigate more.

     "They're like earrings." Josh explained, not really wanting to explain the entire ear stretching process. "Do girls wear earrings here?" He tried to help Tyler understand.

     Unfortunately, Tyler only seemed to be more confused. "I have never heard of earrings."

     Josh contemplated for a few seconds before offering a synonym. "Jewelry?"

     "Oh!" Comprehension filled Tyler's face. "I see. The English wear stuff of that sort. I have never seen them with jewelry like the one you have. Is it an earring through your nose, too?"

    "It's called a piercing, actually, but yes. It's the same idea." Josh explained. "You guys don't wear jewelry?"

     Tyler let out a quiet laugh before shaking his head. "Of course not. There is no need to draw pride or attention to ourselves."

     Josh felt slightly offended. "What if you just want to look cool?"

     "It is still drawing attention to yourself." Shrugging, Tyler responded.

     "I just thought it looked cool." Josh confessed, a frown displaying on his face.

     "I think you look cool," Tyler offered, a small smile on his lips, and Josh's frown disappeared.

     "Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say." Tyler giggled, and Josh couldn't help but smile wider at that. "Let me taste this bread of yours." He implored, and Tyler nodded excitedly.

      "I will warm it up and we can enjoy it outside." Tyler decided, already feeling excited. He made some of the best bread in the community and was very confident in himself. Surely Joshua would enjoy it. "Find a table for us, Joshua."

     Tyler didn't understand that it might've been weird to be so friendly because it was how he was brought up, but Josh didn't seem to mind. If anything, he appreciated Tyler's kindness and how welcoming he was, despite their obvious differences.

     Once Josh was settled down at an outside table, he only had to wait a few minutes before Tyler was outside with him, a wooden tray with bread slices and several samples of spreads around it in his hands. Before sitting down, Tyler placed it in front of him with a hopeful look.

     "This is apple butter, fig spread, strawberry spread, peach spread, and peanut butter." Pointing as he mentioned each one, Tyler was eager for Josh to try them. His mother had him restock the spreads just yesterday, so they were all very fresh.

     As Josh grabbed a slice of the freshly baked bread, opting to spread some strawberry spread on half of the slice. "Did you make the spreads too?"