The Life of Buddy

Buddy and Butch

The first stop Brian and Butch made was at Butch's house so he could get some of his clothes. He was currently wearing a pair of Brian's jeans and one of Brandon's t-shirts.

Excitement filled him as placed his a couple of pairs of pajamas in his bag. Brian could not help but smile at the look of joy across his brother's face. He did not think he had ever seen him so happy.

"So are you still going to Kelly's party?" Butch asked.

A awkward look crossed Brian's face. "I don't know."  He shrugged slightly.

"Dont you want to go?"  Butch asked.

"Yes." Brian said. "Its just with all that has happened with my mom and Mason I don't think it would be a good idea.  The last thing I want is a bunch of pitying stares while people whisper about me and my family."

"I can understand that." Butch said as he put a pair of jeans in his suitcase.

"And there is dad beating up Mister Winters." Brian said. "I'm pretty sure her father is not happy about him beating up his uncle."

"Probably not."

"By the way both Kelly and Rick wanted me to tell you that they were sorry for what their uncle did to you."

"I appreciate that." Butch said. "I'm just glad that I never have to work there ever again."

"Same here." Brian said.

"Kelly will be disappointed if you don't go."

"I know." He said as he felt a stable of guilt. He hated the thought of letting her down again. He had already did that one to many times already.

"I'm sure she will understand though." Butch said.

"I'm sure she will." But I will feel like a horrible boyfriend if I don't go. Should I let my personal issues ruin her special day. Would it be selfish of me not to come? Heck I'm sure my mother would just love it if we broke up over this.

There is a reason to go he thought. I can't let that crazy woman win now can I?

But would going ruin her day he thought I just don't know.

"I still have a couple of days to think about it." Brian said. And I probably should talk to Kelly about it.

A knock was at the door. The joy that had been in Butch's face had vanished replaced by a look of dread. "Hey Tony." He said as his chest began to tighten. He nervously eyed the paddle that sat on the top shelf of the closet.

"Hey Butch." Tony said as he walked in. "Buddy."

He shot Tony a look of contempt as he said "Hey." 

"Would you excuse us for a moment?" Tony asked. He could tell that Brian was not too fond of the idea of leaving his brother alone with him.  Tony put up his hands. "All I want to do is talk with him."

"Its okay." Butch said as his stomach began to turn inside out.

"I'll be right outside." Brian said. He gave Tony a dirty look as he walked into the hall.

Butch's heart sunk in his chest as Tony closed the door.

"I'm sorry Tony." Butch said as his chest grew tighter.

"Butch."

"I'm sorry about Mister Winters, I'm sorry if I embarrassed you..."

"Butch stop it." Tony placed his hands on his shoulders causing him to wince. Tony sighed. "I'm the one who is sorry."

"You are?" Butch said surprised.

"Yes." He said. "I'm sorry that I didn't listen to you the other night when you tried to tell me what happened with Mister Winters." His stepfather seethed with anger. To his surprise not directed at him but at what happened to him. "I had no idea what he was doing to you and I am sorry that you didn't think you could come to me about it."

"I thought you would have agreed with him."

"No." Tony shook his head. "What he did to you was wrong and I'm sorry you went through that."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome." Then to Butch's shock Tony gave him a hug and said "You are good kid Butch." He then stepped away and said "I know I don't always show it but I do love you and I'm glad I have you in my life."

Okay who is this man Butch thought.

"You can come back in Buddy." Tony said.

Brian walked in and said "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah everything is fine." Butch said trying to figure out if what just happened was real or not.

"Well I better go back to work." He then looked at Butch. "Have fun at your dad's and don't forget to call your mother tonight."

"I wont." Butch said.

Tony then looked at Buddy. "I'm sorry about Mason. I hope he will be okay."

"Thanks." He said.

Tony said goodbye to them and then walked out.

"Well that went better than expected." Brian said with relief in his voice.

"Yeah." Butch said still stunned. It seemed like an eternity since he had a conversation with his stepfather that did not include his backside being beat black and blue.

Butch then zipped up his suitcase and grabbed his phone. "I'm all set."

"What do you want to do now?" Brian asked.

"How about...."  He was then cut off when both of their phones alerted them to an incoming text. They quickly pulled out their phones, looked at the text, and then each of there.