They were never handsome and often came br with a hormone imbalance manifested by corpulence, br a yodel of a voice or ears big as kidneys. br br But each was brave. More than once a sidekick br has thrown himself in front of our hero in order br to receive the bullet or blow meant for that br perfect face and body. br br Thankfully, heroes never die in movies and leave br the sidekick alone. He would not stand for it. br Gabby or Pat, Pancho or Andy remind us of a part br of ourselves, br br the dependent part that can never grow up, br the part that is painfully eager to please, br always wants a hug and never gets enough. br br Who could sit in a darkened theatre, listen br to the organ music and watch the best br of ourselves lowered into the ground while br the rest stood up there, tears pouring off br that enormous nose.