Bonds in the Time of Lockdown
Afternoon in the living room. Noel sits cross-legged on the floor, playing with Arnold as he giggles, stacking and knocking down blocks. Robert is at his desk, earbuds in, staring intently at his laptop screen. The sound of typing fills the air
Noel
(glances at Robert) Hey, Robert. Busy day?
Robert
(pauses, pulling out one earbud) Always. But nothing I can’t handle. What about you? Arnold keeping you on your toes?
Noel
(laughs) Always. But he’s the best boss I’ve ever had. (smiles down at Arnold, who squeals) What’s next on the agenda, buddy?
Arnold babbles incoherently, making both Noel and Robert laugh.
Robert
I think he said “nap,” but I could be wrong.
Noel
(grinning) You’re an optimist.
The room falls into a comfortable silence. Noel picks up a fallen block, glancing back at Robert, who’s now typing again.
Noel
(casually) Do you ever feel... stuck?
Robert pauses mid-typing, looking at her thoughtfully
Robert
Stuck? Yeah, sometimes. Why do you ask?
Noel
(shrugs) I guess it’s just... this whole pandemic. Feels like the world’s hit pause, you know? But also like it’s moving too fast for me to catch up.
Robert
(nods, leaning back in his chair) I get that. It’s like... you’re running on a treadmill. You’re moving, but you’re not really going anywhere.
Arnold lets out a loud squeal, interrupting the moment. Noel picks him up and bounces him on her la
Noel
You’re not stuck, are you? You’ve got all the time in the world to figure it out.
Robert
smiling) That’s the thing about being young. You’ve got time, Noel. More than you think.
Noel
(pauses, then looks at him seriously) But what about you? What do you want to do when... all this is over?
Robert
(sighs, running a hand through his hair) Honestly? I want to build something of my own. A business, maybe. Real estate. Construction. I’m good at what I do, but... I want more.
Robert
Big dreams need big risks. And I haven’t taken enough of those. Not yet.
Noel
You will. I can tell. You’re not the kind of person to settle.
Robert’s eyes meet hers, a quiet gratitude in his gaze.
Robert
Thanks, Noel. That means a lot.
Weeks later, the living room. Noel and Robert sit across from each other, sipping coffee as Arnold naps in his crib
Noel
You know, you’re like the big brother I never knew I needed.
Robert
(surprised, then touched) And you’re like the little sister I never got to annoy.
Noel
I’ll take that as a compliment.
They laugh, the bond between them unspoken but deeply felt. The pandemic had brought many uncertainties, but in the midst of it, they had found something certain—a connection, a shared understanding, a quiet friendship that would endure
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