An Extraordinary Life - an anderperry story

Chapter Seven - June 1962

I Can't Stop Loving You
"They say that time heals a broken heart/But time is stood still since we've been apart/I can't stop loving you..."

Todd stared at Neil in disbelief. He so wanted to run away again out of fear but Neil was finally standing right in front of him. The last eleven months he wanted nothing more than to see Neil again and there he was. Whether Neil was feeling the same way, Todd wasn't sure. He was always so good at hiding his real feelings when he wanted to. But no matter what Neil was feeling, Todd wasn't going to abandon him again.

Todd still couldn't believe his eyes. Neil stood there, bag slung over his shoulder, hands in his khaki pockets. Even though a year had passed, Todd thought Neil looked like the same boy that he shared a room with during those formative years. He suddenly became aware of how he looked and hoped that his $2 haircut he got earlier that week had grown out enough where it didn't look stupid. Without realizing, his hand was going to his hair and pushed it more to the side.

While Todd couldn't believe Charlie had lied to him about Neil coming... he also could. It was just the sort of thing Nuwanda would do. He didn't know whether to thank Charlie or throttle him when he got off the train. He blinked, breaking his trance. He looked behind Neil and was confused that Charlie and Knox weren't with him.

"So I'm guessing by the look on your face that Charlie and Knox didn't take an earlier train," Neil said, chuckling. "Or tell you."

Todd shook his head. "I-I-I... didn't know you were coming," he stuttered. "Or that they weren't." He paused. "I'm guessing they aren't coming?"

Neil shrugged. Why did Todd ask that? Neil obviously was as oblivious as he was. But why would Charlie and Knox do this?

"Guess we've been duped," Neil sighed. "But it's good to see you, Todd."

"You too," Todd replied, unsure of what he was feeling.

Todd came back to reality. He felt flustered and started rambling, "Do you... do you want to get lunch? Sorry, you have your bag and we're just standing here and it's getting busy and crowded in here and-"

"Lunch would be great," Neil said, smiling.

Todd exhaled and shut his mouth, some of the tension in his shoulders dissipating. Lunch was a start. The two boys, both seemingly unaware of what the other one was feeling, turned and headed out into the city.

They walked in silence for a few minutes before Neil put his arm out to stop Todd. He looked over to see Neil standing in awe, staring up at the buildings. "It's amazing that you get to see this everyday," he whispered, smiling up at the towering skyscrapers that surrounded them.

Neil's eyes glowed with excitement and Todd couldn't help but stare. The beauty of NYC architecture was nothing compared to the sight of Neil Perry in a state of utter happiness. In that moment, it was like Todd hadn't run from the cave that night and everything between him and Neil was fine. But that moment was interrupted by Neil moving his arm and looking back down at Todd. "Sorry," he muttered. "This stuff probably doesn't amaze you much after being here for so long."

Todd shook his head. "I stare up all the time," he said. The two meekly smiled at each other before continuing on.

A few blocks later and they arrived at a small diner that Todd hadn't been to before. He figured out that most restaurants in the city were at least decent. Plus he figured after years of Wellton and college cafeteria food, Neil wasn't going to be too picky. They settled into their booth, Todd careful not to accidentally bump Neil's knees.

While they waited for their waiter to come by and take their order, Neil asked Todd about his classes. He sipped his water, listening intently as Todd described each of his English professors and what they had been reading and working on this past year. "Seems like English was a good choice," Neil beamed. "It's definitely what you were meant to study."