you get it right . bobby be mike imaginary friend through the whole movie and even at the beginning when on their way to california . his mother knew of bobby and do not discourage mike lean on bobby since imaginary friend be common with young child . that why they both get stomach ache at the same time . that why the boy be so close . at the end mike be let bobby go . the king be arrest . mike could go on without bobby . it also why mike mother do not seem disturbed when mike receive the postcard ( mike have write and mail ) from bobby the ol west tourist stop and the other postcard from all over the world . you notice mike mother turn the first card over and look at the postmark . what a great mom do the best she could in the late sixty . a positive for me . bring back memory .