I didn't understand it either for the longest time. For a while, I kept saying I liked Ogre because I didn't want to be left out like an outcast. I said the words, but I didn't truly understand the meaning.
After a while, I began to question the meaning of doing this. What was the point in saying something to fit in if you didn't really mean it? What did it matter if I liked Ogre or not? Would he or anyone really care if I didn't say it? I had no particular feelings about Ogre one way or another. No one would care if I didn't say it one time right?
Then one day, I didn't say it. Everyone looked at me, waiting for the words to spill out of my mouth. They waited, and waited, and waited...and kept waiting. I was firm in my silence. I was determined to live out my truth.
Once the crowd understood I had no intention to say that I liked Ogre, they began to surround me and draw in close. At first I thought they were going to pile on me in outrage, but all they did was hug me. After the first one closed his arms around me, I began to have an emotional meltdown.
I was angry. I was angry at the world...and at myself. I was blind in what should have been my dominant eye since I was born. I've was struggling against financial debt incurred on me because of a desperate business venture that never panned out. My parents hadn't talked to me since graduating Highschool despite my attempts to reconcile with the emotional and physical abuse I suffered for years. I recently had to have my right foot amputated because of gout caused by poor hygiene. My attempts to maintain good hygiene were mostly in vain due to living on the street for the past five years. I recently had my right, dominant hand amputated because of an injury caused by a runaway car. My attempts to connect to a community were strained because of the aforementioned issues. I couldn't afford a psychiatrist and healthcare is almost non-existent.
To say I was depressed was an understatement.
Receiving that group hug was the first step to healing and acknowledgement that I needed in a long time.
Then, he arrived.
He invited me to live in his house, rent-free. He cleaned me up, paid for my medical bills and was the performing surgeon. I now have a fully-functional prosthetic hand and foot that are almost indistinguishable from the real deal. The tumor blocking my vision in my right eye was removed with no complications. He got me hired at his place of business, and I've been financially stable ever since. I have a constant source of friends I met at work who care about me, him included. He became an intermediary between my parents and me, and they apologized and made full reparations and more in tears.
He never asked for anything in return.
I like Ogre.
