My stepson begged me, “Don’t marry my dad.” The reason made me faint at the altar.

Absent during the action

As the movie ran, Tim joined us on the sofa, with some hesitation. “This part is so cool!” exclaimed Jeff when the hero emerged. I cast a quick glance at Tim; however, he seemed distant, his eyes darting away more often than usual. Neither the fluttering capes nor the vibrant soundtrack could hold him. I moved closer and whispered: “Are you okay, buddy?” He mumbled a half-hearted “yes” and went back to staring at the screen, but his mind seemed elsewhere. I noticed him fidgeting with his sleeves and feet.

Absent During Action