will:
Heβd seen a few photographs of his mother when she was young; treasured memories from her youth preserved in photo albums they kept at home. There were pictures of his dad as well but Will had become less interested in those over the years. At some point after Lonnie left, his mom had taken the photos of the man out of the albums and kept them elsewhere.
Will tried to imagine Bob as a young teen and he found it surprisingly easy. The man still retained a boyish charm about him to this day. Besides β not the most outgoing kid and often targeted by bullies, he says? Oh, Will could only relate so well. His eyes searched the older maleβs face, wondering how people could pick on him when Bob was always ready with a smile and a good word for anyone who needed it. Then again, heβd learned early on that those kinds of people were the ones that had a bulls-eye painted unto their backs. He was pretty sure that like him, Bob didnβt fight back either. He could only hope to retain that same unfaltering optimism after the most awkward years of his life blew past.
β Was mom nice to you? Did you guys become friends after that? β He asked, the story only bolstering his eagerness. The emotion with which the other spoke about his mom made Willβs heart clench. What must it feel to like someone that much? And for so long? Just thinking about how Bob must have felt when Joyce married Lonnie β it made the boyβs heart drop in a sympathy.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β He really thought their progress was going just super swell. Bob couldnβt wait to tell Joyce about it --- maybe not the details, but enough to express he was bridging the gap. Opening up and conveying they werenβt so different after all, revealing that side of himself wasnβt really such a hard thing to do. Bob didnβt view his past as anything to be ashamed of, but rather, something to look back on and reflect. He didnβt have the easiest time fitting into school as a kid, but he got the feeling Will could relate to that. Peas in a pod.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Regardless, Joyce had been out of his league. As the founder of the A.V. Club and winner of many science fair trophies, that had been his reality. β Well, we did greet each other in the hallway when we saw each other. β Occasionally, sometimes, when he worked up the nerve, a younger Bob went for the SUBTLE yet friendly options; a lifting of crinkled fingers in a shy wave, the flashing of a wordless smile. β But we were different people back then, and we each had our own lives. β That statement couldnβt have rung more true. β I mean, me? β Bob only stared forward, a humor-filled laugh shooting from his lips.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β β BOY...I did not talk to many people, especially girls as amazing and beautiful as your mom. β Those were lightly veiled words of admiration, released in a nostalgic tone.
