For The Love Of Oatmeal

Chapter 19~Oatathan

They did decide to stay at the Inn for the night, having two rooms across the hall from one another. Their obsolete rooms were quite cozy; both decorated with vintage paintings, antique vases and floral bedspreads. As Toby slept soundly in his vintage-themed room, Tania couldn't rest. She kept thinking about how much Tobias Mormeal had done for her...dang, he was one nice dude. How could she be so heartless towards him?! Okay, I can't take these thoughts anymore. I need to calm myself. Just then, she heard a voice from her pocket.

"Tania....Tania..." the deep voice called to her. She pulled out the oat she had found in her father's box of letters. Luckily, she'd worn the same mustard-yellow pants, which were originally white, for five days straight. She looked at the oat with wonder and amazement as it glimmered in the still, moonlit room. This was her first experience with a talking oat.

"Tania...allow me to introduce myself. I was given the name Oatathan by your father, but now you must give me a new name. I am now your guardian oat, neglected by your father. I have heard your troubled thoughts and have come to guide you." the oat preached in his deep soothing voice. Tania then overcame her awe and gave him the name Michael. She then told him everything that had happened and all that Toby had said

"Tania..I am very disappointed in you. How could you let the sun go down on your anger...over oatmeal? You must go to Toby and apologize."

"I know, I know..I truly feel guilty. But Michael, I think I..like Toby...and I can't keep it hidden anymore. I must go tell him. Before I burst."

"No, now's not a good-" Tania shoved Michael in her pocket and set off to Toby's room on the crutch doctor Banks had given her, not thinking things through. As she entered his unlocked room, she had a sickening feeling...as if someone was watching her. Brushing it aside, she hobbled up to his bedside and gently poked him, trying to wake him. Toby blinked open his tired eyes, stray hairs flying every which way.

"Tania, what is it? Is something wrong?"

Little did he know that Tania had more energy than he did.

"No Toby...but I have something on my mind that I really need to get out. I'm really sorry for all the trouble I put you through. I mean, I made you come here because of oatmeal. Which means...oatmeal isn't that great..."

"Don't say that!" Toby nearly shouted. "Oatmeal is the most amazing thing on earth. Too much oatmeal is not a bad thing. The thing is, everyone knows that you can't live off of oatmeal alone.. for obvious reasons. I would've never said this five months ago..before I lost River."

"I'm such an idiot. How did I not know that? I can see clearly now..oatmeal was never the problem. The problem was always me. Don't worry, I'll be leaving in the morning and I'll let you have all the letters and, and.." Tania broke down in tears. With a sigh, Toby hopped out of bed and put his comforting arms around her.

"Tania...it's okay. You're not going anywhere. I feel responsible for you now, and I'm going to take care of you. I'm going to get a job and pay for your education, knowing that you have none. Don't worry, everything's alright." for one silent moment, Toby comforted Tania, holding her tight to his chest. It was a little awkward. Being held there like that made Tania shake all over. She still hadn't told Toby she had feelings for him..and was afraid to. Suddenly, Toby quickly released Tania from his arms and looked her square in the face.

"Wait..did you say something earlier about letters?" he asked, looking into her tear-stained eyes.

"Um, yeah. I guess I kinda forgot to mention I stuffed all the letters in my purse when I went to fetch the keys for the truck..I hate it when you leave things on the floor." She explained to him, wiping her tears on her sleeve.

"Oh. My. Gosh. Why didn't you tell me?!" Toby implored, collapsing onto the bed. "Ugh..oh well. We'll look at them tomorrow. That's not important right now."

"Okay, goodnight then Toby. And thank you..thank you for everything." Tania whispered. Before Toby could say anything, she was already wheeling out the door.