Love of Bobby for Emily

After Carlton had gone into the house with a smile and a few last silly comments, Bobby finally felt like he could talk. He leaned on the porch railing and looked at Emily, who, as always, was listening to his words with an uneasy but understanding look.

"Emily, you have no idea how sick I am of all this," he said, tapping his fingers nervously on the wooden railing. "My brother... He's always with his rock, with his parties, with his friends... He just doesn't understand how much this all irritates me.

Emily nodded softly, standing next to him, but didn't interrupt. She knew that sometimes Bobby just needed to talk to feel a little better. She had always been a good listener.

"He always thinks that if you don't like The Doors, it means you don't know how to enjoy life. But the truth is, I'm sick of his parties!" Bobby continued, almost with despair in his voice. "What, can't I just read a book? I just started The Chronicles of Captain Blood yesterday - so what? That's an important, worthwhile activity too!"

Emily sighed softly and placed her hand gently on his shoulder.

"I understand, Bobby," she said, her voice warm and calm. "Carlton really doesn't understand sometimes that not everyone is so into his music. He lives for these parties and this rock. He thinks everyone else should think the same way.

Bobby looked at her gratefully, but continued, wiping his hands on his jeans:

"Well, he always says that I should be "more alive", or something. Like if I don't jump up and start dancing or singing, then I'm somehow not the same. Seriously, why doesn't he understand that I just don't want to be a part of all this?"

Emily thought for a moment, looking around the veranda, and then, smiling softly, spoke:

"You know, Carlton can be a bit clingy at times, but he's really just trying to create a fun environment. Maybe he doesn't realize that not everyone wants that environment in their life, but that's his way of interacting with the world. He sees how much fun his friends are having, and he thinks maybe you want to be a part of that fun, too. He doesn't know how else to make it comfortable for you."

"Well, yeah," Bobby chuckled darkly, "but then why can't he just stay home and listen to his music alone? I'm not asking him to understand me, but I wish he'd understand that I'm not against his hobby, I'm just not ready to live in his world."

Emily turned to face him and looked into his eyes with a sincere expression.

"I understand that it's hard for you. But maybe if you don't resist so categorically, Carlton will feel that you want to be around him too, even if you don't participate in his hobbies. This doesn't mean you have to be like him, but he will be glad if you just show that you are there, even if it's not your style."

Bobby thought about it, his face softening a little. He had always been stubborn, but Emily somehow managed to make him see things from a different perspective.

"I don't know if it will work," he said, "but maybe you're right. I shouldn't push myself off by anything that's not my thing. He is my brother, after all. Maybe I should try to be at least a little more flexible."

Emily nodded, sensing that he was beginning to realize the importance of their conversation.

"It's definitely not going to be easy, Bobby, but I believe you can find your way between what you like and what Carlton likes. You and he are different, but that doesn't mean you can't find common ground. Just be honest with each other."

Bobby sighed, but his gaze became calmer.

"Well, okay, I'll try. Maybe I won't dance, but I'll at least try to be less aggressive towards all this madness."

Emily smiled, guessing that this was the best he could do. She put her arm around Bobby's shoulders, and the boy, feeling the warmth of her arms, finally relaxed a little. He was as strong and independent as ever, but deep down he always missed what Emily gave him: peace and confidence that everything would work out.

Bobby met her gaze, and instead of the usual sarcastic wariness, there was an unexpected softness in his eyes. He couldn't explain what exactly it was that look, but there was something in it that made him feel for a moment like a three-year-old again. The boy who sometimes so stubbornly shut himself off from the world and people now, looking at Emily, realized how important it was to her that he and Carlton understood each other.

"Thank you," he said, slightly embarrassed. "I do... sometimes forget that I can be a little more flexible. And you're right, I shouldn't be so closed off."

Emily chuckled softly, shaking her head slightly.

"You're not a child anymore, Bobby," she said, gently tucking his hair behind his ear. "But you can still learn new things, even if it's about your relationship with your brother."

Her words cut through him, and he realized once again how much he valued her opinion. Bobby had always been smart, with his own views on life, but sometimes he forgot that there were things that were more important than what he thought or felt. He was sometimes too absorbed in his own struggle with the world to notice that those around him were always ready to help.

"Okay, I'll try," he said, his voice taking on a new, more mature determination. "I am Carlton's brother, after all, and it's probably important to me that we find common ground. Even if it's not always easy."

Emily smiled, her eyes filling with a warm light.

"I'm sure you can do it. And anyway, you're much stronger than you think, Bobby. Don't forget that."

He nodded, and then, almost ashamed of his own state, rubbed his eyes and abruptly changed the subject:

"Well, even though I won't be dancing, the evening probably won't go by without some adventures, right?"

Emily laughed, her laugh light and ringing as always. She let go of his shoulder and winked.

"It all depends on who will be at the center of these adventures. If Carlton doesn't manage to create real chaos, then perhaps your peace and quiet will become the main attraction of the evening."