I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing

Dear Charlie,

It's funny how people feel the need to tell you that you're quiet or shy. I mean, do they think that I don't know I rarely speak... well, sometimes I don't, I'm too wrapped up in my own thoughts, and I doubt anyone will talk to me. But I know I'm quiet, you don't need to tell me, thank you.

But those who don't know me don't know that my mouth can run for hours without getting tired. I talk so much that you'd want to cover your ears. When I was little, I used to make friends with everybody, even strangers.

I'm not sure really what happened, but I just stopped talking one day. Maybe there was nothing left to say, maybe I gave up trying to say it all.

But, when you see someone, and they never talk, most people ride them off as "the shy person" or "the quiet person", and don't give them a second thought or glance. But have they ever tried listening to them? Not just hearing their voice but actually listening to them? Maybe they've got more to say that can't be told by opening and closing their mouth like some strange fish.

So, to the next person who says to me "You don't talk much, do you?" I'd like to tell you "I do, you just aren't listening."

-Bethany