Page 27 of Between Then and Now
After the interview, I watch as she retreats to the village. I review the footage I filmed, and once I’m satisfied, my mind races with how it will tie in with my finished product. I start fixing my gear, and I don’t notice John creeping up behind me, so I jump when he says, “Hey, Bon.” I almost lose my balance, and he holds my elbow to steady me.
He laughs at my reaction as I greet him back. “Hey, sorry about that. You startled me,” I say. “You were listening in, right? She’s something, isn't she?” I gesture to the old woman walking away.
“Yeah, she was. Makes us appreciate why we’re here in the first place,” John says. I make a move to fix my filming materials, but he crouches down beside me and says, “Listen, Bon, we never really talked much before. I wonder why that is.”
I shrug, a bit taken aback by his sudden introspection. “I don’t know. I guess we’ve both been busy. But better late than never, right?” I offer him a smile.
John nods, a small smile playing on his lips. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. You really have a knack for this, by the way,” he says, pointing to my filming materials. “Not just the filming part, but the connecting with people part. You always seem to know what to say.” He helps me fold my tripod and put it back in the bag.
I blush slightly, not used to such direct compliments. “Thanks, John. That means a lot. I just... I think it’s important to see people, really see them, you know?”
He nods, the thoughtful look returning. “Yeah, I do. And you’re right. Maybe we should all try to see each other a little better.”
As he says that, I start to really look at him. John is attractive. He is tan and tall, with dark curly hair that frames hisface in a way that makes him look effortlessly handsome. Ryan, on the other hand, is also tall but has light brown hair that is almost blonde, which makes his blue eyes stand out even more. The Millers stand out starkly from every Filipino family I’ve known. Unlike most families who moved out of the Philippines in search of better opportunities, the Millers moved in.
I remember seeing a big moving truck while I was playing with Emily in their front yard. We were both around six or seven, and we were in awe of the two guys who stepped out of the truck. Ryan was older, so he didn’t really register as cute to us, but Richard became everyone’s crush that day. I recall the four of us even making a pact to “un-crush” Richard because it was threatening our friendship. Yes, a boy was ruining our friendship in first grade.
Back to John, I smile at him. “I just think everyone has something interesting to share if you take the time to listen.”
“Do you have something interesting to share, Bon?”
“Well, I’m a very interesting person, so, a lot,” I chuckle.
“Care to offer one interesting thing?” John asks, holding my tripod.
I smirk, feeling a bit cheeky. “Hmm, I once convinced Ryan that if he made a funny face for too long, it would get stuck that way. He walked around for a whole day looking like a constipated chipmunk.”
John bursts out laughing, nearly dropping the tripod he’s holding. “You’re kidding!”
“Nope,” I say, grinning. “It was probably my finest moment.” We laugh together for a while.
“Sounds like it,” John says. “You and Ryan grew up together?”
“Yeah, we grew up in the same neighborhood. He was a lot less cool back then,” I laugh.
We continue packing up my filming materials, John lending a hand as we work. Once everything is packed into my wagon, he says, “Speaking of Ryan, looks like he’s finally making progress.” He points behind me.
“Huh?” I whirl around to where John is looking and feel a pang of something I can’t quite identify. Because there, at a distance, it’s finally happening.
Ryan is finally talking to Alexa.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Ryan
I’ve seen Bonbon laugh with guys before. She had a plethora of boyfriends growing up—Patrick, Wesley, and Greg were a few who stuck around longer. I haven’t seen her with a boyfriend in the past year or so, though. I haven’t even seen her with a male prospect. Until now.
Bon is laughing with John, and it’s not the polite laugh she gives to strangers or acquaintances. It’s her genuine, eyes-crinkling, belly-laughing kind of laugh. Good for her, I think. I’m starting to feel bad that she’s helping me talk to Alexa while she isn’t having fun on her own. Seeing her actually conversing with someone who isn’t me gives me the push to do the same. I turn to Alexa, who is standing a few feet away, chatting with another volunteer.
Taking a deep breath, I walk over to her. “Hey, Alexa,” I say, trying to sound casual. “Got a minute?”
She turns to me, her smile bright and welcoming. “Sure, Ryan. What’s up?”
I pause, suddenly aware of the need to make small talk before diving into the invitation. “Did you see the sunset last night? It was more… purple than the previous ones.” I chuckle nervously, realizing how random it sounds. “I mean, I’ve seen purple sunsets before, but last night’s was, like, extra purple.”
Alexa’s smile widens, revealing her perfect teeth. “I’m surprised you didn’t post it on your very new Instagram,” she teases.
I stare at her, an embarrassed smile forming on my face. “So, you know about that.”
