he’s successful . he has a new family , a job , his own car . he buys his own clothes –––– they aren’t the most expensive , nor made from the best fabric , but they serve their purpose , and they’re much better quality than anything he’s ever owned before –––– his own food , and he rents his own place . john is 4 years sober . never had he thought he would have come this far . this was a man that should have been dead by 18 , but he had survived , gotten away from an abusive life and family , graduated against all odds . nihilistic attitude and crude humor has dwindled –––– disappeared completely ? perhaps not , but john needed to keep some part of his old self alive . he’d made it , and he was happy . for the most part .
grease covered hands work masterfully at the car’s engine . familiar twists and turns are given to nuts and bolts . he’s strangely gentle , and exceedingly careful , and he’s determined to fix the issue . it’s what he’s being paid for , after all . quietly , he hums along to the radio playing in the corner of a shop –––– he remembers this song from high school . kids these days called it an oldie , and he started to realize that he was older , too . thoughts wander from memory to memory until a knock on the metal of the garage door pulls him out of his mind . ‘ just a minute ! ’ he calls , pulling the cloth from his back pocket to wipe at his hands .
a whistled tune ensues . boots scoff against the ground as he walks toward the front of the shop . ‘ how can i –––– ’ he starts to greet with a smile , but she’s too familiar for him not to recognize her . though older , hair still holds its ginger essence . she still smells so sweet . imagine her in pink , and john bender would know claire standish anywhere . the pause is long , brows high , eyes wide . old frustration arises , craving for a drink claws at his throat , but then he remembers that this isn’t high school . they’re adults , and he was doing good . so instead , john smiles , chuckles ; throws his rag over his shoulder and crosses his arms fondly . ‘ how is it that you haven’t aged a day , but i look like like i could be my own grandpa ? ’ he’s being humble , of course , but as per usual , he’s using humor to defuse the situation .
@shermerhigh + older ! claire