mike calls the byers household, and joyce picks up. out of habit she’s about to pass the phone to will but mike says “can i speak to el please?” “oh, yeah, sure,” and they talk for hours before karen scolds mike on the other end to cut the call. he doesnt talk to will. “maybe 1/4

“he was just in a rush. maybe next time,” thinks will to himself. this happens once, then twice, then again and again. every single time joyce is just a second away from asking mike “do you want to talk to will instead?” because she’s seen the way her son’s shoulders slump 2/4

every time she calls for el and not him. one particular night, when el had been laughing heartily on the phone, joyce checked in on will. they shared a small look before will rushed to hug his mom and cried. joyce could only make out “he doesnt even ask about me anymore, mom. 3/4

not even a ‘hows will?’ i deserve this” between his muffled sobs. joyce didn’t know what happened between mike and will that summer, but she reassured her son “no sweetie. you really don’t, we all love you” - “yeah but HE doesn’t mom” he wipes his tears and sighs “he doesn’t” 4/4