Nothing

It all started with "Do I answer your questions with another question?" My quick answer was an adamant "Yes." But that really only brought on a whole new tirade of questions (In retrospect, I think I should have seen this coming). This individual argued their defense (for a long time). In most cases they are only trying to anticipate the answer you are truly looking for.
Example:
Q: "What time do you have to meet George?"
A: "I have to leave here in 5 minutes."
While it doesn't answer the original question, it does answer the unspoken *true* question of "What time are you leaving?" Because the questioner really didn't care when the person had to meet someone, but in fact, when could they finally have the house to themselves.
I wrote it off as typical of this individual, and was thankful I did not have to endure prolonged conversation with them often. It was complicated and I didn't really want to think about it at the time. It seemed hard to try to think head of people rather than just answering directly.


but then later...


When you asked "What is wrong?," I said "Nothing."
It's not that I lied. I just answered your real question; "What can I do to fix it?"
Because really, that is how boys function anyway. Its not about what is wrong, but how does it get fixed? While that is a perfectly admirable and noble point of view, but there are just some things you can't fix.
Thus I answered, "Nothing. "

Oh. Maybe I get it.