There lay a touch of hope within his eyes. It was a glimmer of a sort really, a little sliver that required much reinforcement if ever to become a reality. Bill’s chest tightened, but there was a barrier withholding him from providing the reassurance that Tom needed. He could say all he liked, speak to no end and to his heart’s every content about how everything would be okay, but the words would be a waste, for they would never fully get through to Tom. 

They would reach him, certainly they would. They might possibly even leave a lasting impression, an imprint upon the young man’s view of the world, but as to whether he would find any bit of truth within those words was a different matter entirely.

And that is where the glimmer of hope came into the picture.

There it stood, shining just outside his pupils, a chance for growth in the moment, a moment so opportune for change.

But, the moment too soon passed and was shattered, torn brutally from existence as the bedroom door was pushed open without a care in the world. Tom turned away, turning toward the wall as he sniffed and ran a forearm hastily across his face while straightening up his shirt before John had a chance to even step foot into the room.