Andlat's Story Spot

"Remember, Bobby.” Rob said as they neared Bobby's house. “As soon as we're home, how old are you?" "...four." Bobby mumbled after a pause. "You had to be a big boy all day! I bet you're excited to get home and be yourself." "What if I just stay on the steps?" "Hmm?" "Well, once I go inside, you make me be four. So I'm just going to-" Rob picked him up. "That's just silly. We need to get you inside and into your nightie so you can start on homework, remember?" He carried Bobby inside, kicking his own shoes off before undoing the Velcro on Bobby's and dropping them by his. He smiled as one bounced and landed in his shoe, making a striking point about the difference in size. Carrying Bobby was remarkably easy unless he squirmed. It had taken a bit of training to get him to stop doing that, which had translated into Rob carrying him near-constantly, kissing his cheeks and murmuring into his ear ...

"C'mon, it'll be funny!" Rob said. That was what he always said. Bobby sighed. "Why?" "You know why." Rob held up his phone. "You just gotta do it for the Madagascar part and then we'll watch the movie in peace." Bobby sighed. "How come you never do this stuff?" "It's creepy when I do it. It's funny when you do." Bobby was about to ask why, but he knew the answer. All their lives as friends, Rob had been bigger than Bobby. To the point where he had started going by Bobby so people would stop saying Big Rob and Little Rob all the time. "Come on! Please? I'll... give you five bucks." Bobby considered it. He could always use money, but Mom and Dad still insisted on only giving him a meager allowance. Rob always seemed to have money. "Fine." Bobby slid out of his chair and moved to the aisle just as the screen at the front of the theater showed the logo for the pre-movie dance party. It...