If Looks Could Kill (Sideshow Bob Fanfiction)

Chapter Forty

Author's Note:

Thank you to anyone who has continued reading this far! I love you few people who enjoy my ridiculous fanboy-ish literature XD . Anyway! Possible trigger warning for this chapter, but probably not. I don't know yet; Enjoy!

Chapter 40

"Oh God; it feels so good to finally be alone with you!" Bob laughs with relief.

"And the same to you, Bob," Judith replied, smiling warmly at her son.

"So! Tell me, Bob; how did you and - Katy is it? - meet?" Robert asked.

"Caitlyn, Father. She is called Caitlyn. We met at Jebediah Park, just around the corner. And our friendship was confirmed when I found out that I was to be teaching her at Springfield University," Bob replied.

"You teach her at university?" Judith asked, more of a  shocked statement than a question.  

"Yes, Mother, I do."

"Do any of the other people know there?"

"I can't imagine so. But if they do, I'm not aware of it myself," Bob chuckled.

"Oh, okay then," Judith said.

"Anyway! Father, I have heard that you have a new job here in Springfield?" Bob said brightly, breaking the awkward silence.

"Yes, I have. I'm to be working with Doctor Hibbert in Springfield Community Hospital, starting Monday," Robert replied.

"Isn't he the best doctor is Springfield? I believe he is! Congratulations, Father!"

"Thank you, Bob," his father said, "And congratulations to you on starting a new family."

"Thank you too, Father," Bob thanked him, smiling sheepishly.

"Oh, Bob, I missed you so much!" Judith got up and pulled Bob into a python like hug. Robert got up too and joined the reunion hug.

"I missed you two so much too," Bob replied, hugging his mother and father back. 

Bob felt a lump rising in his throat; he squeezed his eyes shut to try and keep the tears that were building behind his eyes.

'Now is NOT the time to get emotional! Not in front of your parents, for God's sake!' Bob scolded himself. Despite his best efforts, Bob felt a tear roll down his cheek, followed by another. He clamped his jaw shut to suppress a sob, squeezing his mother harder.

Robert felt Bob tremble in his arms, as did Judith. They both shared a look of concern for their son before Judith decided to speak up.

"Bob, are you alright?" she asked, concern showing in her tone of voice. Bob replied with a noise in between a whimper and a snarl.

Bob fought the urge to sob and just cling to his parents. He had to be stronger than that; he was not about to decry his dignity even further. Another whimper-like growl escaped Bob's lips as he fought against another sob.

Judith felt Bob's fingers dig into her like claws of desperation; she knew that Bob was trying his best to stay composed, and she also knew that it wasn't good for him to keep it all inside. It would only take the slightest push to cause him to break. As much as it saddened her to see Bob upset, she couldn't let him harm himself like this; he needed to let it out for his own good.

"What's the matter, darling? Do you miss Gino?" Judith asked, knowing exactly what needed to be said.

"Yes," Bob sobbed, " I miss him so b-badly!"

'Dammit, Bob! Why must you always do this?!' Bob yelled internally. As frustrated as he was with himself, he felt all restraint slip down the drain as he crumbled.

Judith and Robert held their son as he sobbed like a child in their arms.

"I'm sorry," Bob sobbed.

"You have nothing to be sorry about! Grief is a very powerful emotion, Bob," Robert retorted.

Bob remembered how he had said the exact same thing to Caitlyn - or similar at least. He also remembered how his boss had said that to him after he'd had a meltdown in front of Caitlyn's class. A spark of anger flared inside him at his inability to control his emotions; everyone else did it just fine, so why couldn't he?! Again and again, he had fallen apart. But surely there had to be an ending point?!

Bob took a couple of deep breaths and managed to compose himself. His chest felt tight with anguish, but he wiped his eyes and pulled himself together.

"Thank you for comforting me," Bob said, sighing with annoyance at himself; how many times had he said that to someone?!

"It's alright, dear. Sadness happens, and it can completely tear you down sometimes; I know," Judith replied.

"Oh, would you look at the time!" Robert exclaimed, glancing at his watch as their embrace broke apart.

"Oh, gosh! It's nearly ten pm!" Judith gasped, looking at the clock on Bob's bedside table.

"It is?!" Bob cried, also turning his attention to his bedside clock.

"I'll have to love you and leave you, Bob; we both will!" Judith said, giving Bob a quick hug.

"Yes. Goodbye, Bob," Robert said as  Judith and himself left the apartment.

"Goodbye!" Bob called, hoping they heard him.

"How on Earth does it always get so late?!" Bob muttered bitterly. 

'How on Earth do I always get so emotional,' Bob thought silently. He thought quietly to himself as he began undressing; he was to return to work again tomorrow, and there was no doubt that it would be hell.