Tandy Bowen doesn't have to pick between (cloakndagger) wrote in repose,
Re: Billy/Tandy: the neighborhood
Tandy understood that he could not simply reduce Holly to a single instance or a cumulative series of engagements that made him a grumpy, military-working guy prone to fatigue. Even if his memories were compressed parts of another Holly - another Holly who he shared PB&Js with (before Tandy had decided that texturally, he wasn't sold on the idea of mixed substances, nor the tacky way PB adhered to the roof of his mouth) and soundtracks, and had sat on the end of the guy's bed and sketched his hands, who had been companionable silence the first couple anniversaries of his dad's death when his mom was off the metaphorical reservation.
"But it's not whatever if you don't feel able to talk to him," Tandy pointed out, a little unnecessarily given all evidence currently stated. "I asked him if he'd do a housewarming playlist. He's in." Which indicated in large part, willingness even in the absence of wholesale enthusiasm.
But okay. Charity was a word that had been said. Logically, Tandy understood charity had its place. African orphans, people who were on the streets homeless, people who were super willing to take the offer. He knew also that this was exceptionally stubborn in the absence of major windfalls coming his way, but the boy ran on the dose of stubborn pride that had kept him in clean clothes and art supplies through school, and kept him solid on his feet when he was to all official accounts and records, a five foot three girl.
He read hurt somewhere in the macro-expressions on Billy's face, and clarification was necessary. "I didn't think you did it to be shitty. You didn't. You did it because proportionally, the cost is fractional comparatively, and you thought I would appreciate it. But it still feels unnecessarily overkill. You're my friend. I don't need you to get me stuff. Aside from lightbulbs, and occasionally toilet-roll." Tandy smiled, the kind of easy, stretched spread that was amenable.
Which faded a little. "He'll get over it. I'm not an attractive proposition long term."