2.

It's break right now for him, so he's home. There is nobody here but him. Mary is out with her girlfriend (Stephanie? Stella? Stacy?) and Wally is out with his friends. It's a Saturday, and though this is usually the day he sits and watches TV, he swears today will be different.

He hasn't spent time with his son in a few weeks, so he plans to spend some time today. He glances at the clock. It's 11:13. Wally's supposed to be back at twelve- he caught an early morning movie with his friend, "Rob." It was one of the friends from the 'super' community, so he doubted "Rob" was his real name. He's never met Rob, but Wally speaks of him often, telling stories about a prank they pulled or a game they played.

He gets up to make a sandwich for himself while they still have food. He never says anything, and he doesn't think Wally notices, but since he's gotten his powers, he and Mary have been pulling extra shifts in order to feed everyone. They don't complain though- how could he? It was his son, and being on a normal diet was equivalent to starving the poor kid.

He knows in the beginning, when they first started the extra shifts, that Wally thought they hated him, or were trying to avoid him. Although normally confident, Wally is sometimes very insecure. Rudy has no idea where it comes from, but it's always been that way. As he spreads the mayonnaise on the bread, he glances once more at the clock. It's 11:21.

He walks back to the couch and flips the TV on. Mythbusters is playing as he sits down and begins to eat. He and Wally used to watch this all the time together, when Wally still had time for him.

Woah, now hold on. He can't really do anything about that. And that's true. He knows that logically speaking, if you have a super power, you should do good things with it like Wally does. He's proud of his son, really he is, that he is doing the right thing. That he's making a difference, saving people's lives. He still wishes selfishly, though, that somebody else's kid risk their lives so Wally doesn't need to, that Wally would spend more time with him than Barry, and instantly feels guilty.

He sighs. 11:52. God, is this depressing. What the hell, Rudy? He turns the TV off. He wasn't paying attention, anyway. He picks his empty plate up and brings it to the kitchen. Just as he is drying off the dish, he hears the trademark whoosh as his son arrives and feels a bubble of excitement.

"HeydadIwasjustwonderingIknowIsaidwe'dhangoutbutcanIgoovertoUncleBarry'shousecauseheinvitedmeoverandIreallywannagoplease?"
"Uh, what?"
His son sometimes forgets his parents aren't fast like he is.

He huffs. "I said, 'I was wondering if I could go over Uncle Barry's.' He invited me over to go patrolling!"

The bubble of excitement instantly dissipates. He's so excited, he's vibrating. His son would protest this, but it's kind of adorable. A bitter feeling begins to rise up, but it's not at Wally or Barry. He says, "Sure Wally, don't forget to call," and his son rushes out the door. As his son whooshes back out, he sits at the counter, feeling absolutely alone. He really loves his son, and Barry's great, but it still hurts, because he had everything planned out (and had been planning for a week, too) but Wally leaves him again.

He flicks the radio on. It sings to him, "Only hate the road when you're missin' home...
Only know you love her when you let her go...And you let her go." He immediately shuts it back off, but the words echo in his head.

Is this what it means, to let those you love go? It feels like bitterness and heartbreak. He stands up again, and pulls on his jacket. He can cut this break early. As he opens the car door, he hears one more whoosh. It's Wally.

"Hey dad, forgot to say goodbye." He looks sheepish, but his boy leans in for a hug. Rudy gives him a deep hug, feeling content for now. He pecks him on the cheek. "Daaaaaad!" He wriggles out of his arms, face red. Rudy chuckles. "Stay safe, okay son?" "'Kay dad!" And he's gone again. He still leaves for work, but a smile stays on his face until he leaves.