This podcast contains adult language and content.

Listener discretion is advised.

If you have a story to share, send it to Let's Not Meet Stories at gmail.com. This story took place between 2007 and 2009.

I lived in a tiny town where my mom also grew up

and knew most everyone that I encountered either by name or at least by their appearance.

I was a precocious youngster and was also involved in

gifted and talented programs throughout elementary school and high school. Most of my close friends

were boys who were two to three years older than me, and during my freshman year, we all ate

lunch with our teacher from our gifted and talented program once a week or so.

Anyone who wanted to come in and sit in on our discussions was always allowed to do so.

The teacher facilitated these discussions by bringing up particular songs or movie scenes that she thought might stimulate conversation, debates, etc.

We were a close-knit group of dorks, though, and honestly, others never really joined us,

even though the invitation was always extended. I always doubted anyone would join it anyway.

One of the boys with whom I wasn't close but knew of named Randall

came most weeks, but he usually sat silently at the back of the room.

I learned from my friends that he was a clinger.

He was essentially helpless in social situations

and often completely absorbed in sci-fi and fantasy worlds,

both from books and from his own creation.

He also always wore a suit to school, which didn't help him fit in either.

My mom knew his parents and has since confided in me that she was afraid of his dad when they went to school together.

I remember she told me that she wouldn't be surprised if their home life was strained to say the least.

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