Little Bobby Conners - Episode 1
by Kayla Parent
Whoa.
You look like crap.
I stare at my phone in confusion.
There’s a hot guy staring back at me…
When it should be my best friend.
Did I FaceTime the wrong person?
Maybe I’m sicker than I thought…
Uhhh…you’re not Teri.
I squint to get a better look.
Aw, come on!
Don’t tell me you don’t recognize your best friend’s brother!
WHAT?!
I seriously cannot believe my eyes.
Last I saw Teri’s brother…
He was a lanky kid with acne and braces.
Now all I see are muscles, golden skin and a devilish smile.
Am I hallucinating?
Bobby, that’s you??
In the flesh.
Speaking of…
What happened to yours??
I ignore his question.
Wow, little Bobby Conners!
What are you doing home??
I thought you were living in Australia.
I was.
But 10 years is long enough in the land down under.
Just bought a house on Main Street.
What?! Right here in town?
Yeah. It’s kind of my pet project.
This is hard to process.
The super hot guy in front of me…
Is literally living just minutes away.
I seriously don’t know what to say to him right now.
Bobby was always the annoying younger brother.
He was constantly bothering Teri and me during our teenage years.
Or, he’d be face-deep in a video game.
Wow, congrats.
Teri didn’t mention it.
And she definitely hasn’t sent me any recent photos!
Yeah, I surprised everyone a few days ago.
Ah. That explains it.
I haven’t been taking many calls recently…
Bobby suddenly leans closer to the phone.
I can only imagine what he sees.
Blistered, red skin.
A swollen face.
My frail body swathed in a ratty bathrobe.
I clutch the lapels together at my neck.
I feel like someone’s Aunt Mildred.
It’s really good to see you again, Steph…
But seriously, you don’t look so hot.
I blow out a tired breath.
I have the Chicken Pox.
His eyebrows fly comically far up his forehead.
The Chicken Pox?!
But you’re like 30!
I bristle.
He still knows how to get under my skin.
Hey! I’m in my late twenties.
Mannnn, that sucks.
Aren’t you supposed to get those out of the way as a kid?
Yes!
But I never got them, so I…
He stands and I lose every coherent thought in my brain.
Because Bobby Conners is shirtless.
And oh my God…
That body.
I can’t help my roaming eyes.
He notices.
Like what you see?
I feel my cheeks get hot.
You just look different, that’s all.
Probably that Australian sun.
You?
Out in the sun?
I only remember you in front of a computer screen.
Oh, I usually still am.
But at least now I get paid for it.
That’s right.
Teri told me you’re a video game developer.
My childhood dream.
Well, one of them, anyway
But it’s the only thing I ever wanted to do for work.
Wow.
I’m impressed!
I do a quick calculation in my mind.
If Bobby bought his own house…
He must be doing well.
Sheesh! This is blowing my mind.
Wait, why are you answering Teri’s phone?
She left it here by mistake.
Got called into work an hour ago and rushed out.
Emergency surgery.
Oh no! Seriously?!
This can’t be happening.
I need her!
Did she say when she’d be back??
No idea.
But what do you need her for?
Maybe I can help.
I raise a skeptical brow.
Help?
Like the time you offered to shovel my car out…
And put all the snow in my backseat?
Bobby has the nerve to start laughing.
Oh man, that was hilarious!
You were so easy to rile up.
Easy?!
It would NOT have been easy to dump loads of snow in my back seat!
Or what about that time I was going on my first date…
And you put a dead mouse in my purse?
This time, Bobby presses his lips together to keep his laugh in.
Oh, come on.
I’ve grown up since then.
I promise.
Seriously, let me help.
His smile is still devilish…
But there’s a glint of something else in his eyes.
I don’t remember seeing THAT when we were younger.
And I don’t hate it.
I try to tamp my feelings down.
No, it’s okay.
I’ll figure out something else…agh!
Out of nowhere, my chest starts itching something fierce.
I go at it with my fingernails like some sort of fiend.
Bobby’s eyes go wide.
I don’t think you’re supposed to scratch like that.
I can’t help it.
I ran out of itch cream.
God, I’m so freakin’ miserable.
I watch Bobby grab a shirt from the floor.
I’m going to get you some.
Bobby, no—
Yes.
It’ll make up for all the stuff I did to you back in the day.
Call you back when I get to the store.
10 minutes later…
Okay, I’m at the pharmacy.
But before I go in…
Do you need anything else besides itch cream?
I sigh with annoyance.
But I’m mostly grateful.
No, I…
Crap.
I should probably just tell him the truth.
Actually…yes.
I do need something else.
But do you promise not to make any stupid jokes like you used to?
Ohh, this is gonna be good.
What is it?
A 30-pack of Nutty Bars?
I’m stunned.
You remember that??
Are you kidding?
You loved those things.
Every time we had a bag in the house…
They’d be gone when you came over.
I’m embarrassed.
But it’s the truth.
Well, no, not Nutty Bars.
I actually need tampons.
I wait for the joke.
The cringe.
But it doesn’t come.
All I see is sympathy.
You really are having a tough week.
What kind do you need?
Regular? Sport?
This time, my eyebrows fly up my forehead.
Well aren’t you just full of surprises today.
I never knew you knew so much about tampons.
His face becomes oddly serious.
I do have some experience with women, Stephanie.
I’m not the same guy you remember.
No, apparently not.
I’m left slack-jawed, staring at my phone after Bobby hangs up.
5 minutes later…
Bobby has an adorably proud grin on his face when he FaceTimes me back.
Itch cream…check.
Tampons…check.
And, I got you this.
He holds up a Nutty Bar and wiggles it in the air.
You didn’t have to do that!
You’re sick.
And you have your period.
If that doesn’t call for a Nutty Bar…
I don’t know what does.
I stare at him in awe.
Who is this man?!
Thank you.
So, what else can I do for you?
I suddenly feel guilty.
Are you sure you have time to help me?
Yes.
And I WANT to help you.
Now come on, where to next?
He seems so earnest.
I reluctantly give in.
Main Ave Photo.
I’m supposed to pick up my new headshots by three.
He leans forward with interest.
Headshots?
You’re still acting?
It’s mostly been local theater, but yeah.
I feel myself straighten in my chair as a smile tugs on my lips.
I do have a small role in a movie coming up.
That’s amazing!
You were always so talented.
I raise my eyebrows.
I seem to remember you telling me I couldn’t act my way out of a paper bag.
He has the nerve to look sheepish.
I said a lot of things I didn’t mean back then.
Just to get a rise out of you, remember?
I was immature and…
He trails off and looks away from the phone.
And what?
And nothing.
Call you after I pick up the headshots.
10 minutes later…
When I pick up the phone, I see Bobby staring at my photos.
Wow.
Just…wow.
These are gorgeous.
We lock eyes.
He gestures toward me and my chicken pox.
So you don’t normally look like this?
Ahhh, there’s the snarky Bobby I used to know.
I knew he was hiding in there somewhere.
We both laugh.
But thank you for the compliment.
I mean, if that was supposed to be a compliment…
I never know with you.
He goes back to staring at the headshots.
Yeah, it’s definitely a compliment.
His voice is a low and intense murmur.
I feel a flutter in my tummy.
Omg.
Did I just get butterflies over Little Bobby Conners?!
God, I must seriously be ill.
Well, thanks for picking those up.
My pleasure.
He doesn’t miss a beat.
So what’s next??
If you really want to help me…
Could you go to the dry-cleaners?
A short while later…
Bobby whistles through his teeth.
He’s staring at the bag he picked up from the dry-cleaners.
Well, this little red number is barely even a dress…
It’s a band-aid!
And I bet it looks amazing on you.
I laugh, despite myself.
Thanks.
I just got it.
He looks at me with an expression I can’t decipher.
Big date coming up?
For some reason…
The flutters start again.
No.
But a girl can never be too prepared.
Soooo, no boyfriend?
I narrow my eyes playfully.
Mostly to mask my nerves.
No boyfriend.
What about you?
Did you leave a trail of broken hearts in Australia?
I’m oddly curious.
Nahh.
Dated here and there.
But nothing serious.
I see.
There’s a heavy silence.
What is going on?!
Well anyway, that’s it for today.
I really appreciate everything.
Who knew Little Bobby Conners could be such a gentleman?
His lips thin.
It seems like he’s going to say something…
But he holds back.
I better go.
I have one more stop to make.
15 minutes later…
By the time my phone rings again, I’m so confused by how I feel.
Bobby, hey.
The background behind him looks weirdly familiar.
Wait, are you outside my house?
He sighs.
Yeah.
Listen, you don’t have to let me in…
But I got you these.
He holds up a huge bouquet of roses.
I can’t help my gasp.
Bobby!
They’re beautiful.
That’s really sweet of you.
He doesn’t respond.
He can’t seem to meet my eyes.
…Is everything okay?
You look upset.
He groans and shakes his head.
You called me Little Bobby Conners.
The first time you said it, it was okay…
Well, it wasn’t but…
I get it.
You hadn’t seen me in a while.
But the second time…
It really bothered me.
I don’t know what to say.
I’ve always called him that.
He never had a problem with it before.
I…I’m sorry.
I didn’t mean anything by it.
Honestly. I didn’t even realize I called you that.
I know.
It’s just…
I *want* you to realize that you called me that.
Because I wish it felt wrong to you when you said it.
Bobby sighs, raking a hand through his hair.
All day, I’ve been trying to prove to you that I’m not Little Bobby Conners anymore.
I’ve grown up.
And I’m not the same person.
The flutters in my stomach turn into a hurricane.
Bobby, I…
I know you’ve grown up.
Trust me, I can tell.
He smiles and meets my eyes.
He looks nervous but determined at the same time.
The truth is…
I couldn’t believe my luck when I saw you calling this morning.
I’ve had a thing for you forever.
When I was younger, I didn’t know how to handle it.
So I teased you.
Pranked you.
Did whatever I could to get you to notice me.
But I’m older now.
And I figured it was time to try a different tactic.
I stare at him, dumbfounded.
I must look as speechless as I feel.
I’m hoping it worked.
Because I’ve been thinking about you for a really long time.
You see, I had two childhood dreams growing up.
I already told you about one.
To become a video game developer.
But the other dream?
It was you.
My entire body fills with butterflies.
Bobby…
Wow.
I never knew.
A multitude of thoughts rush through my head.
His devilish smile.
His kindness.
His playfulness.
The things he remembered about me.
No, he definitely isn’t Little Bobby Conners anymore.
Sorry to drop this on you when you’re sick.
I just…wanted to tell you over the phone first.
Just in case you want to run screaming in the opposite direction.
I give him some honesty.
He deserves it after being so honest with me.
You have nothing to be sorry for.
And…
I pause, allowing the moment to sink in.
Allowing myself to acknowledge the flutters for what they are.
The truth is you just made me feel really good.
Running in the opposite direction is the last thing I’d want to do.
So, when I’m feeling better…
Maybe you, me and that red dress can go out sometime.
See where things go.
His eyes light up like a kid on Christmas.
You mean it?
Yes.
But in the meantime…
Get that hot bod up here with my Nutty Bar!
App