For most of his child life and early into adulthood, Taney believed everyone when they told him he had a unique gift. Now, though, as an adult living on his own, he was rethinking the entire meaning of the word. He could never go anywhere without being reminded of just how unique – and awkward – his gift was.
Everything was out of kilter in Taney’s world, everything, much like fingernails on a chalkboard.
Take, for example, when he went to shop for a refrigerator.
“I’d like to see some of your documentation on your two-door models.”
“Okaaaay,” said the saleslady wearing the name tag Hannah. “They’re taped to sides of each of the models. Were you looking for a specific brand or type?”
“Yes, but you wouldn’t understand,” said Taney.
“Try me. I’ve been doing this for a while now,” Hannah said.
“Hmm, I need one that when it hums, it is perfectly tuned to the frequency of 440 hertz, or harmonics thereof.”
Without missing a beat, Hannah smiled and said, “Oh sure, 440 pitch standard. We’ve got those. I personally make sure of it.”
“Wha…You do? I mean, well, you mean some of your fridges are 880, 1760, 2200 hertz? Like that?”
“Absolutely. Wouldn’t have it any other way. We’ve got the kind that normals buy too since there are a lot more of them than they are of us. Us, interesting phrasing. See, I’ve got perfect pitch and I just can’t stand machinery being even two hertz off when they hum. They’re hard to find but they are out there,” said Hannah. “And we’ve got ‘em in stock.”
“It’s a gift…” said Taney.
“And a curse.”
“You know, Hannah, I think we’re gonna get along just fine. I’ve never met another one of me before.”
“Me either. We’ll get along more than fine.”
Taney was fairly certain he saw a wink with attached to her comment.
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