For The Love Of Oatmeal

Chapter 14~From The Past

A few hours later, just as the sun was about to rise, Tania and Toby had talked through, well, everything that had happened to him..whilst eating bowls and bowls of oatmeal. He mostly told her about River, and his life mission to find her killer.

"Wow. Toby, I don't know what to say. Do you..uh..want more oatmeal?" she asked, trying her best to comfort him.

"Haha, no thanks. I'm good." he said awkwardly as he looked down at the fifteen bowls on the floor he had already emptied. There was a long moment of silence.

"I...I still don't understand what you were doing in my dad's room. Why were you snooping around?" she asked as she eyed the tin box he had set on the floor curiously. "I trusted you." Tania choked. Toby could hear the hurt in her voice.

"I did it because..because I couldn't bear to see you hurt like this. My own parents betrayed me because of my passion for oatmeal, and I just wanted to know if he left you, you know...for the same reason. I know he disapproved if oatmeal..but the strange thing is, I found three oatmeal packets in his room! That just doesn't seem right to me." Toby gushed the truth. He glanced over at the box on the other side of the room, and then up at Tania.

"Tobias Mormeal. I don't think anyone has ever cared about me the way you do." Tania whispered. She jumped up and have him a big hug. "Well, other then my Papa..and my Mom...and my brother...oh wait, those are the only people I've ever known." she let out a twisted laugh. Tobias awkwardly pulled away.

"Yeah..ahem. Okay! Shall we read what's in the box now?" he cleared his throat. They walked over and excitedly dumped the contents on the floor, rummaging for the oldest letter. The first letter that Toby opened looked pretty old, so he read it.

May 9th, 1996.
Dear Elisa,
I must confess that I can't live a day without thinking about you. Ever since the first time I saw you. I remember you asked me if I liked oatmeal, and I said yes..but honestly, I really didn't. I guess I was afraid you wouldn't like me if I said no. Elisa, you're the most beautiful, talented, kindhearted girl that I've ever met, and I think I'm falling in love with you. Please say something..anything..back to me.
-Alex R.
P.S. You know what else? Ever since I've met you, I've liked oatmeal a lot more.

"Wow. Your dad fell for an oat freak. Wait, who's Elisa?" Toby questioned after he read the letter aloud.

"She was my mother."