This is absolutely fascinating, Susan! What an original idea, to revisit the Smart Kids a few years later. And, yes, Philip always did seem less convinced than the others, less willing to slip back into a normal life.
He has such a different perspective on Clark/Superman, too. It's perfectly understandable given what he's been through, though. My heart went out to him when I read this:
Phillip soured at the thought of Clark Kent, the man who people in this city practically worshipped. He had been one of them three years ago. What child wouldn’t look up to a flying superhero and believe everything he said? Superman had made a noble speech to him about how it felt to be different, never quite fitting in. He had pretended concern, convincing Phillip to give up the drug and go back to being a kid. Nothing special. Phillip had grabbed onto Superman’s words as if he were a son reaching out to his father. Well, that analogy had proven all too true.
Just as his real father had abandoned him, Phillip hadn’t seen Clark Kent since that incident three years ago. No letter, no phone call, no e-mail, no visit; no contact of any kind. Kent had gotten his story and moved on to the next while Phillip was trapped in his meaningless existence. The man in disguise was no better. Superman routinely did charity work for groups around the city, but hadn’t once come to support Beckworth. Each year he played Santa for orphans at Christmas time, but never for the ones at Beckworth. Phillip brushed the beginning of an angry tear from his eye.
What a superb insight from the mind of a minor, forgotten character!
So, more??
Wendy
