WHY WAS IT SO HARD TO NAME THIS GUY

"I'll go with," she insisted. "I can sit in your lap."

"It's not really not things you should listening to." He tried to convince her.

"I'll cover my ears and hold your hand," she compromised.

"I really won't be needing your help..."

"That's okay--I won't be a burden. I can ride on your back or sit in your lap or on your shoulders--I'm not heavy.

"No, I mean...Even if you did come, you couldn't touch me. For reasons. But you're not coming, so I digress."

Without warning, she latched onto his front.

"Just try and go now."

He sighed, attempting to pry her off.

"Please, Vani. I don't ask much of you."

"I don't ask much either," she replied.

"Of course you do. I'm always walking you places, buying you food and helping you with things...the least you could do is to let me have alone time."

She buried her face in his chest.

"Yeah, but I don't ask you to do all those things...you don't have to, just...don't leave me alone..."

"I enjoy helping you, but I wish you would do the same for me." He said simply, carrying her into the house and setting her on a couch. "It won't be for long, I promise."

She grabbed his arm.

"But I can help--I'm sure of it. Just bring along, I'll find something to do--you'll see!"

"But I'll be in a bar, and no one will believe you're 21." He said suddenly. "Since you don't have ID, there's not much we can do."

"Fuck the police," she replied with a straight face.

He shook his head.

"We work for them, remember? Be a good girl and wait until I get back."

"...You're just gonna leave?"

"Would you like something to listen to while I'm gone?"

She smacked him in the face with a couch cushion.

"You're stupid! What does every man do before he leaves his family?!"

"...Say goodbye?"

She threw another pillow at him.

"They give their family a hug and kiss goodbye! Theo, you suck egg salad!!"

"I'll give you a hug." He offered.

She pointed to her cheek.

"Kiss to. No kiss is for cheapskates."

He chastely kissed her on the forehead.

"I'll be home soon."

She frowned.

"Hug first. And a good hug--no wimp hugs."