"It was a short story," the woman mumbled to the little boy, sure to hold his attention, "long long ago, before you were born. You see: back then it was normal for people to keep to themselves."

"But why? It's so much easier to tell people things!" The carrot top gestured almost wildly with his small hands, "Sharing the burden makes it easier on others!" he exclaimed, eyes wide and disbelieving. His mentor chuckled, shaking brunette locks, "Back then people didn't see that. They couldn't see behind other peoples' eyes."

"It's so easy though!"

Turning a page in the book she read to the toddler; there was more to explain, "People weren't so open then. They thought others wouldn't understand the pain they went through. They knew no one could relate t--"

"That doesn't make any sense!" The small human in her developed hands grew discontent, sensing the child's disquiet and anger the hazel eyed female smiled, "Things were different then."

"How different?"

For a moment his mentor grew quiet and closed. As if she knew what it was like to not tell secrets. As if she knew there used to be little else but keeping such things from prying eyes, "Very different."

The whispered words spoke volumes.