Saving Bobby by Renee Hodges

Author:Renee Hodges
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: She Writes Press
Published: 2018-05-21T04:00:00+00:00

ONE MONTH NINETEEN DAYS

Monday, April 22

THE LITTLE THINGS

I make it a point to do little things for my kids and anyone else I love. My family was never much about the small things and, as I get older, I realize that those details are important and what I partly think love is all about.

For example, getting picked up from the airport and not having to take a cab is wonderful, but our family takes it a step further. How nice is it when you have been gone for a long period of time and you are met at security, big hugs and kisses are exchanged, your rolling suitcase is taken from you immediately, arms link together, and you are kept company while you wait for your luggage to arrive?

No, we didn’t do it every little trip. Sometimes, knowing I would probably be met at the airport, I would text, Don’t get out of the car, it is too late in the evening, giving dispensation. It is perfectly acceptable to be picked up on the curb after baggage claim.

But if someone makes the effort to come to town, we make a special gesture by parking and greeting them at security, instead of simply pulling up to the curb and scooping them into our car. If our kids went off to camp or a community service trip, we would always meet them at security with open arms and bear hugs. Posters and flowers were displayed for a junior year abroad.

After almost seven weeks in Durham, Jeff still did not believe that Bobby was well enough to stay alone when we went out of town. His mother volunteered to come spend a long weekend with Bobby while Will and I traveled to New Orleans for a reunion with my college girlfriends. Jill overlapped with us by coming a day early, so that we could visit and strategize about Bobby’s continued recovery.

It felt important for Bobby’s mom to have those first moments privately with him, so I asked him to pick her up from the airport alone.

I did give some thought to the little things, and the day before Jill arrived, I explained our airport pickup tradition to Bobby, hoping he might take the hint. As usual, there was no comment and no expression of comprehension.

When I heard Bobby and Jill returning from the airport, I went to greet them at the back door. I was so excited to see Jill.

Jill’s eyes danced as she jumped out of the cab of Bobby’s white truck. She carried an array of multicolored carnations and a “Welcome Home” balloon. Bobby had stopped at the local grocery store and paid for these gifts out of his own hard-earned money, then he’d parked and met her at security.

Jill choked up as she showed me the flowers and balloon. Dang, I choked up too. Sometimes I had no idea whether or not he was listening. I was glad he’d listened this time. I couldn’t imagine the feelings of apprehension Jill

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