Re: John and Dom
Dom laughed. "You are stubborn, that's for sure. All right maybe under very limited circumstances, a hug might be useful although I still think that mostly it's not the hug but what it represents that helps."
He paused for a moment. "That's really the thing, though. Eighteen year olds aren't supposed to be stoic or realistic. They are supposed to take life, friends and connections for granted. They are supposed to feel infallible and invincible. You must come from a tough place."
He chuckled. "Eric and I are pretty good. We'll show you." They could teach John things that normal eighteen year olds should be doing.
There it was again, that maturity and almost sad acceptance. "I plan to, but they are different people, John, even if it's hard to remember. You can make those connections as well."