Stan stepped off the plane and into the cold air of his hometown. He hadn't set foot in this crummy little town since he was 18. He had hoped he'd never have to come back, but Wendy had her heart set on being married at home, and Eric hadn't put up much resistance. He grabbed a taxi that was parked outside of the terminal and stuffed his bags in the trunk. "Down town South Park, please." He watched the scenery fly by, and he was shocked to see how much South Park had changed in the seven years since he'd left. The town was run down, stores that had been there throughout all of his childhood were now boarded up and closed.
"Haven't been home in a while, huh?" The driver eyed Stan in his rear view mirror.
"How did you know this was my home?" Stan thought the driver looked familiar, but couldn't quite place him.
"No one comes to South Park unless it was home at some point in time."
"One of my buddies is getting married. We all grew up here and this is where she wants to get married. Doesn't look like much any more." Stand sighed as the cab pulled over to the curb.
"It never was much. But things always seem to be much more when you're young. There's a hotel around the corner that's pretty decent. It's about the best one you'll get here anymore. Run by a guy named Craig Tucker. Pretty decent price too."
"I haven't seen Craig since graduation. We were in the same class. Thanks." Stan handed the man a twenty and stepped back out into the cool air. He grabbed his bag and walked around the corner and into Craig's motel. Craig was unmistakable behind the desk. His dark brown hair, stuck out from under a blue hat. His eyes looked tired, but bright. "Still wearing that stupid chullo hat, I see." He set his bag down in front of the counter.
"Stan? God, I haven't seen you in forever. What are you doing back in town?" Stan's dark hair was longer than it had been, down to his chin almost; but he was still unmistakable.
"Wendy and Cartman are getting married this Sunday. We're all going to be in town for the wedding. Kyle's supposed to be in some time tonight. I'm supposed to call him and tell him where I'm staying. Cartman and Wendy are staying at her parents in town. I still haven't heard from Kenny though. Wendy was getting kind of worried that he won't make it." Stan watched Craig's smile fade. "Did something happen to Kenny?"
Craig didn't want to have to be the one to tell Kyle about his friend, but he supposed it was the least he could do. "Kenny's around. I don't expect you'll get a hold of him though." Craig pulled his cap off and started pulling at a loose string. He didn't really know where to start. "After you guys all left, things got really bad with Kenny's parents. They kicked him out and for a while he was living on the streets. He started working the district."
Stan's stomach lurched at the thought of his friend pimping himself out on one of the many corner's of South Park's 'District.' Stan had to think back on that time when he had almost told Kenny that he loved him. He wondered now if things would have been better if he'd have told him.
"About a year ago. Butters moved back, you remember him, yeah?"
"Of course I remember Butters. How could I forget him?" Stan sat down in the chair across the desk from Craig. "Where did he go?"
"Joined the marines the summer after we all graduated. He was gone for a few years and then one day, he just came back. They got together. Butter's runs the local construction crews here in town. He's not rich or anything, but Kenny's better off, money-wise, then he's been his whole life. Butters doesn't let him out of the house much. No one really sees Kenny anymore." Craig paused to think about how best to warn Stan. "You don't cross him anymore, Butters that is. He's not like he used to be. He got big, I mean beefed up something fierce while he was out of town. I always pegged him for a fag, but tell him that to his face and he'll rearrange yours for you."
"Butters? I can't even imagine him being mean. He was always such a.... pushover." Stan watched Craig get a set of keys off of the ring behind the desk.
Craig put his hat back on and handed the keys to Stan. "The two best rooms I have. Give Kyle a call and tell him you got a room for him. First night's on the house for old times sake. Top of the stairs and to the right." He shook Stan's hand when he stood up and watched him turn the corner. He hadn't been able to tell Stan just how bad off Kenny was, but he figured that he'd find out sooner or later. He chuckled softly to himself as he thought about how much he had hated the four of them when they were younger. They had made amends in high school; mostly after Cartman had mellowed out. He hadn't told Stan, but he had gotten his invitation in the mail and had already RSVP'd.