Page 72 of Poetry By Dead Men
"Are you guys coming to the show tonight?" Bobby asks.
"Not this time," Aaron's mom says. “Too many people. And I’m worried about having his oxygen tank in the crowd. They’re so expensive, and I don’t want it to get damaged.”
Bobby's brow furrows, and he sets Aaron down. "Hey Beth, Aaron here is a brave little man who happens to also be my biggest fan. Would you like to interview him?" Bobby asks. He jerks his head to the side, giving me a not-so-subtle hint that he’d like me to distract Aaron for a few minutes.
"Of course," I say, forcing my eyes to stay dry. "This is exactly what I need for my story. What do you think, Aaron? Want to have a quote in Rolling Stone magazine?"
"Sure." Aaron shrugs, and I realize he probably has no idea what that is. My smile breaks into a laugh, and Aaron looks at me like I have two heads.
"I have cancer," he says. "That’s why Bobby thinks I’m brave."
"You lookextremelybrave," I say. "And very strong."
"Oh, I am strong," Aaron says. "I can lift up my little sister all the way off the ground."
"That’s amazing," I gush.
"I know." Aaron shrugs, but his lips twist into a small smile.
"So how do you know Bobby?" I ask, adding, "And just so you know, he only lets the people he likes most call him that."
Aaron beams. "Bobby comes to my hospital sometimes. He came to my room and brought me a hat. And a lot of my friends there have met him, too. Cancer sucks, but meeting Bobby was really cool."
"I bet," I say, remembering just how great he was with Michael and his friends.
Aaron studies my face as if trying to place me. "I’ve never seen you with him before. You’re pretty. Are you his girlfriend?" he asks.
As if the universe wants to embarrass me, I feel Bobby approach from behind, that familiar energy zipping up my spine.
"If only, little man." He crouches down. “But she used to be, once upon a time."
"What happened?" Aaron asks, either completely forgetting that I’m standing there or just not caring. I brace myself for Bobby's answer, placing a shield of armor around my heart.
"Well, don’t tell anyone this," Bobby dips his head and leans close as if sharing a secret, "but she left me for Spider-Man."
Aaron’s eyes basically bug out of his head, and Bobby winks at me.
"Okay. I guess that makes sense," he says seriously, nodding.
"Anyway. I'll be seeing you tonight, big guy. We'll have a special place backstage, just for you."
Aaron jumps up and down. "No way! Really mom?"
"Really!" she says, bending down and giving her son a big hug.
"Yep," Bobby says. “And I’ll have a new hat for you.” He points to his backward ball cap, the one branded for the current tour.
“Thanks, but I don’t need a new hat. This one’s lucky.” He wiggles his head around.
Aaron’s mom leans in. “He wore it to his last scan when we found out the cancer shrank, and hasn’t taken it off since.”
“A t-shirt, then.” Bobby nods, his expression turning serious. “We don’t mess with luck around here.” He pats the pocket where his wallet sits.
Aaron yawns, his little eyes growing heavy.
“Why don’t you get some rest? Big night ahead of us, huh?” Bobby says, patting Aaron’s shoulder.
"Can we do the interview then?" Aaron asks. "I want to hear more about Spider-Man."
