After lunch, as the children decided what to do, Tommy pulled Robin aside because he wanted to tell her something. 'What's wrong Tommi-o?' Robin asked, chuckle at his new nickname. Tommy was not impressed.
'Don't call me that.'
'Okay. But seriously, what's up?' she asked, beginning to get slightly concerned. Tommy took a deep breath in.
'Most rulers are straight right? But some don't have to be straight. Some are flexible. They bend. They don't have a fixed shape. Or how in an optical illusion a line can look straight but it's...not.' He paused. 'When you want fit something in to specific place but it won't fit. When there's that one person that walks the other way from everyone else. When you have to choose between a blue and pink wall, but you like both. I'm that ruler, that line, that shape, that person. I don't fit.'
Tommy started crying and hugged Robin. She kissed him on the head and run her hands through his hair. 'I always had a feeling.' she whispered into his ear, 'But don't cry. Why are you crying?'
Tommy looked at her with tearful eyes.
'I just thought, you and dad wouldn't love me anymore, you wouldn't want me. Because I'm not normal. Because I like girls and boys. Because...because...' He broke into tears again. 'I had to tell someone. Because now I know.'
'Why would you ever think that? Dad and I, we'll always love you, no matter who you like. And you like whoever you want to, okay? And of course you fit. Look, I love you no mater what, and I will always stand by you, in whatever decisions you make. You're still Tommy, you're not a different Tommy. You're the Tommy who laughs louder than a howler monkey; the Tommy who loves video games; the Tommy who'll walk around like an orang-utan; the Tommy who can look like Marilyn Monroe. You're my Tommy, and this doesn't change you one bit. I love you so much, and you're so brave.'
Tommy sniffed and nodded. 'I love you too.' he murmured, as he gave his sister another massive hug.
'Now come on, let's go join the others, they'll probably think we've gotten lost.' Robin said, taking her brother's hand and making her way to the playroom.
'I doubt Dickon even got halfway up the stairs in those heels.' Tommy laughed, wiping away his tears. Robin laughed and ruffled his hair as they ran to help Dickon who was indeed stumbling all over the stairs
