summer daze | august 1977 | gladys & amos
Amos truly loved the Gudgeon family, really, he did. Whether it was because he was close with their middle child or just that it was their nature, Amos had always felt welcome amongst them. And usually, it was company that the Hufflepuff could enjoy thoroughly. But there were some days, like this one, where things were different. Firstly, because he thought Davey’s plan was to isolate himself for a bit so seeing them there was a surprise. And secondly, instead of the usual happiness he got from seeing them, he felt bitter.
Now, Amos didn’t voice it. He approached the family with his usual grace. He flirted like he usually did, picked on Davey and Gladys a little, then made an excuse about seeing a girl. It could have been true, he had been seeing someone over the summer casually – and he was a big of enough flirt that they probably wouldn’t question him. In reality, he hid in the changing rooms. It wasn’t anything personal – he thought all of them were pretty great. But every now and again, seeing them together caused him… frustration.
He didn’t remember what it was like to have a full family like that. And every now and again, like this day that passed, Amos truly missed his father. And the family dynamic they could have had if he hadn’t walked out. And that’s when the thought process began. Why did he leave? Where did he go? Was he still alive? Was he happy?
Amos had, at some point, sat on the floor and buried his head in his hands. He was grateful that those who usually got changed in here had already left, but occasionally, he couldn’t keep up his bravado. So consumed in his false reality of not being found, thoughts of the family he could have had racing through his mind, he didn’t hear the door open. It was only when the footsteps grew closer to him, that he perked up, rubbing his face in attempt to clear his blurry eyes.
After a moment, he made out a familiar face. “Oh, Gladys.” He said, his voice croaky. It even surprised himself, deciding to remedy it with a cough. “Sorry, I must have fallen asleep in here.” He lied, before shooting her a fake smile. “Still, what a wonderful sight to wake up to.”
@gladys-wil