"You mean the slightest bit" she said

he was looking down and she was looking down on him

"There is always something smaller and always something bigger. It's nature. It's the way things are. And you need to learn this quickly. My boy, you are fighting a battle you will not win. And you must find the comfort in losing. Fast. That heart of yours might have to close back up for awhile. You thought it was safe, but I'm telling you, you didn't matter. I am sorry to be the one to break it to you and it is probably ironic that i am, but i am. You, my boy, are nothing at this point. Maybe sometime later, when you grow up, you will be, but now, right now, in this moment, you are not. You do not mean as much you think or want. Maybe in three months, or a year or five years you can finally pass over that hump, but until then, my boy, you are nothing. You mean the slightest. The littlest bit. But definitely not enough to stop someone in their tracks. Maybe not even enough to make them hesitate. And deep down inside you know that i am saying this out of love for you. And i mean it. You simply want that meaning. Boy, you do not matter that much. They will make fun of small things you say. Things you thought were jokes shared privately or in companionship. They will not care or budge at your feelings. They will talk about you with little feeling. But my boy, that is the way it is. And here is your strength. You keep going. You willingly, because it is your choice and you know it, you willingly present yourself everyday and offer what you have and make your small request and, you, knowingly, will get shut down. You do this. You keep doing this. You already know the hurt of it. You already know the fear of it. They don't. They don't see your side. And they won't. They will not change it seems. Maybe in the future, maybe three months, a year or five years from now they will. But remember, right now, in this moment, they do not see you and you do not matter, but you must, in this moment, now, keep going. I trust you. And I see that great strength in you. You smile genuinely and I am proud of you for that. But keep going. My boy, do you understand?"

he did. he confirmed his understanding by shaking his head yes. He also acknowledged his shaken state by not making eye contact. He thanked her. She paid for breakfast because she said that was her job and felt like she hadn't been taking care of him lately. Then She left.