Randall and Henry had been friends for what felt like an eternity. They had grown up together and would most likely die together. So naturally, Henry was the obvious choice for Best Man in Randall's wedding.
Henry straightened his tie in the ornate mirror and sighed, fogging up the surface of te mirror. He had to admit, he didn't actually want to be here but he was supposed to be happy for Randall, today was his day and nothing should ruin it. Especially not an unpleasant friend. Yet he longed to be back home, away from this cramped dressing room that smelled like dust and dirt, away from the place where his best friend was getting married to someone else. Henry felt a pang of guilt for thinking about leaving. He owed this to Randall who had given him purpose and hope. The thing was though; Henry wanted to be in Angela's place, preparing to get married to the greatest man in the world. A man who was adventurous, brave, kind and just plain extraordinary.
Henry collapsed on a rickety stool and pulled his old tin robot off the little table in the corner. He brought it with him everywhere. Its joints creaked miserably whenever he moved it and paint was chipping off in numerous places but he refused to get rid of it, no matter how many people urged him to toss it because it was old and ugly and just taking up space. They didn't understand and they never would. The robot was the closest thing to a ring Henry would ever get from Randall; the robot was a symbol of their friendship. However Henry had always wanted more than friendship. He wanted to be able to wake up in the morning to find Randall dozing next to him, to share meals on frigid winter nights, huddled around his miniscule table, to hold him in his arms. He had never uttered a word of his emotions to anyone, much less Randall because he knew he would be rejected. He had been there, he had watched as his best friend, the only boy he had ever loved fell head-over-heels for Angela. And why shouldn't he? She was sweet and pretty and caring. But he, Henry cared more; he had been there for Randall even longer! He had covered for Randall when he wanted to sneak out, listened to him complain how none of his teachers understood him and kept all of the deepest secrets that had passed Randall's lips. He had done everything for Randall, given up so much and what did he get in return? Nothing! Henry realized his hands were clenched into tight fists as if preparing to fight an invisible opponent. No, he had to calm down. He was thinking irrationally. Randall had given him a job, a home and most of all, friendship. His silly dreams were just that- foolish fantasies with no prospect of coming true. Randall would be an excellent husband and father, he deserved Angela. Henry would just have to be content with watching from the sidelines.