Miriam's Story Corner

"How are you feeling?"

Miriam gazed at her brother who was lying in bed and had just woken up from a nap. He rubbed his eyes with balled fists before shaking his head causing his hair to become dishevelled.

"A little better," he answered. "What happened?"

Miriam stood upright, her curls bouncing with each movement she made. She grabbed a desk chair and brought it over to her brother's bedside. Smoothing her dress underneath her, she sat down and placed her hands on her knees.

"It seems you were overstimulated," Miriam said, looking into her brother's crystal blue eyes. "It may have passed onto you as well."

"What do you mean?"

"Our brains work differently than others," Miriam explained. "It is genetic. Mother was the same way. The way we think and process information is different from what is considered 'typical'. It takes a little getting used to at first. I was also easily overstimulated when I first started to notice changes. When we're younger, we can't quite grasp the meaning of things, but when we get older, we start to understand ourselves and it rushes at us like a fast-paced vehicle."

"Hence the migraine?"

"Hence the migraine."

"Everywhere I look," her brother began. "I see things that I know aren't there. I can solve equations in my head. When I look at soil, I know where it came from. When looking at a person, it is like staring at a billboard. One that is crammed with information about their entire life and I know exactly who they are despite never having met before."

"It's quite overwhelming, isn't it?" Miriam whispered, glancing down at her lap, her voice carrying a bit of sadness.

"You said that your mind does the same?"

"It does," she nodded, looking up and through the window across from her.

"I never would have thought..."

"That's because I distract myself," Miriam said, twiddling her thumbs. "Sometimes I cannot stand it, so I work to keep my attention elsewhere. What we can do and what we have cannot be turned off like a simple lightbulb, therefore we have to find ways to adapt. My work keeps me occupied. That is why I am so busy all of the time. Now, you have to find your own way to live."

"How do I do that?"

Miriam shrugged.

"Just..." she paused and clenched her fists. "Just don't run from it like I do."

Her brother stared at her and she gave him a reassuring smile.

"It is a blessing as much as it is a curse. You have to decide how you want it to dictate your way of living. For better or worse."

After a few moments of silence, Miriam rose to her feet and patted her skirt.

"Try to get some rest, alright?" she said as she made for the doorway. "If you ever need anything, let me know, okay? I am always here for you."

"Okay," her brother responded, pulling the covers over his shoulders. "Good night."

"Good night, Sherlock."