Libby Scott - Do You Know Me?

an you see her? No? Then youre going to have to peer a little closer. Youre going to have to try a little harder. Not that shes difficult to find. Shes right there in front of youyou just have to look. Itll probably help if you listen too. Stop talking for a moment and put all the things that you think you know to one side.

Tally Olivia Adams is one hundred percent unique. And if you want to get to know her, then youre going to have to try seeing things from her perspective, which is only fair, really. Shes spent the last eleven (almost twelve) years trying to fit in and see things from other peoples points of view.

Take a few steps forward and put your hands on the sides of the ladder. If you climb carefully, remembering not to step on the rotten third rung, then you can scale your way to the top of the shed. Thats where youll find Tally, bent over her notebook with the early summer sun shining down on her head. Its getting pretty warm up here but Tally has work to do, and when she has her mind set on a task, nothing can get in her way. Shes tenacious like thatwhich is probably another word that describes you, since youve taken the time to clamber up here and perch on the roof next to her.

She writes something down on the page and then looks up, chewing on the end of her pencil. The notebook is filled with words and sentences and diagrams, and after spending the last ninety minutes since she got home from school considering the situation and completing her homework, Tally is fairly sure that she has it figured out. The only thing left to do is to tell him, and she isnt relishing this task, not one little bit. Theres no way to know how hes going to react, and Tally dislikes surprises.

But she really wants to understand him better, and in her opinion it is always better to know. So she tucks the notebook under her arm, slides down from the ridge of the shed, and climbs down the ladder to where he is waiting. He always waits for Tally, no matter where she is or what shes doing.

Tally pats his head and they make their way up the yard and into the house. This kind of conversation is always better with a cookie. Actually, Tally knows that most conversations are better with a cookie.

Ive noticed you struggling with a few things, Tally begins, offering him a treat and then sinking down next to him on the sofa in the corner of the kitchen. So Ive been trying to come up with a way to help you. Ill talk you through it because its important that you understand how I came to this conclusion. When this happened to me, I really, really wanted to know everything.

He stares at her but remains silent, which she takes as permission to continue. Flipping open her notebook, Tally reads from the first page.

Firstly, I looked at the way you communicate with others. Youre very good at letting me know how youre feeling, but honestly, I dont think that anyone else has a clue about whats going on with you and thats mostly because you dont show them.

She glances across at him and gives him a big smile. Im not saying this to be unkind, okay? Its all right if you dont want to share whats in your head. Thats not a rule or anything.

She returns to the notebook, turning the page to the second point.

You hate any change in your routine, dont you? Even if Ive warned you that its going to happen, you still get all shaky and scared and that makes you act in a bit of a silly way sometimes.

He shifts on the sofa so that hes pressed right up against her leg. Tally is his safe place, just like he is hers, and he doesnt mind what she says as long as she always comes back to him.

And lastly, theres the whole issue around your food. This time Tally lowers the notebook and stares him sternly in the eye. I understand, I really do. But refusing to eat just because your breakfast is in a different bowl really isnt okay.

He returns her look and she relents, giving him a quick grin. Yes, I know that I have a special plate and bowl and cup, but its not like Im going to let myself starve if I cant have them, is it? And I agree that food doesnt taste right if its in the wrong bowl, but we still have to eat. Thats a nonnegotiable and if you want to stay here, then youre going to have to cope with it, no matter how wobbly it makes you feel inside.

Tally closes the notebook. So. After all that, what Im trying to say is that you and I seem to struggle with the same things, which means theres a chance that youre autistic. She pauses, waiting for his reaction. She really hopes he isnt unhappy about itshe cant stand it when people talk about autism like its a disease or something bad.

Rupert stares up at her and then nudges his nose into her hand, which is what he always does when hes happy. Tally laughs and throws her arm around him.

Yes! Youre just like me! And now we can make things a bit easier for you. Like, I can tell Mom to buy two bowls for you so that if one gets broken, then we have a spare. And Ill make sure that I tell you at the start of every day if something different is going to be happening.

Nell walks into the kitchen just as Tally finishes speaking. Her thumbs are speeding across her phone screen, but when she sees Tally, she stops tapping and shoves the phone into her back pocket.

Who are you talking to? she asks, heading across to the freezer. And do you want a Popsicle? Its scorching hot today.

Yes, please. Tally gives her sister a smile. Nell is nearly fifteen and she acts like she knows everything in the entire universe. But Tally knows that when theyre at school, Nell is watching out for her. Can I have strawberry? And I was just telling Rupert what Ive figured out about him.

Oh yeah? Nell pulls two Popsicles from the freezer and hands one to Tally. And are we now the proud owners of the only special-needs dog in town?

Tally glares at her. Thats a bit mean, she tells her sister. Its not very smart either. Rupert is a very special dog, but he doesnt have any more needs than you do, actually. His needs are just different.

Nells face wrinkles. Sorry. I wasnt trying to be unkind. Rupert is totally special, arent you, boy? Hes the best dog ever.

Tally can remember a time when Nell thought that Rupert, with his three legs and scruffy hair, was a huge embarrassment, and she opens her mouth to remind her, but then she closes it again. Mom says that people change all the time and that if someone is trying to be better, then it isnt very fair to keep bringing up their past mistakes. It doesnt mean that Tally cant log it in her memory though, just in case Nell gets super annoying at another time and needs bringing down a peg or two.