Buddy - 15 minute challenge

Rated – K

Title: Just what does buddy mean anyway?

Characters: Alan, Don, Charlie
Word Count: 868
Disclaimer: Wish I could own them, but sadly I don't.

15 Minute Drabble using the word buddy (well, it started out that way, but I had to finish it right?…I was never good at following rules, maybe that is why I teach Drama?!)

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Eleven-year-old Charlie sniffed and rubbed his eyes. Left behind again. His brother had once again shown his true colors and broken another useless promise.

Time didn't care about relationships and certainly didn't care that their moments together would soon be over. Graduation would soon separate them and Charlie worried it would be forever. He didn't believe that the fragile bond would survive the distance.

Company, fun and belonging. He just wanted to fit in somewhere. His brother obliviously didn't think about his feelings and he wondered why he kept trying to connect, to be noticed by his so-called big brother.

Gathering his nerve, he finally popped his question hoping that a discussion with his father would fill the void at least for tonight.

"Dad, why do you long for the good old days, great buddy films and TV shows?" Inquired Charlie, as he wiped his nose with his sleeve.

Alan glanced up from his puzzle. Taking a deep breath, "Well, the great buddies shows seem to be disappearing. I mean we use to have the 'Lone Ranger and Tonto', 'Abbott and Costello", "Martin and Lewis', 'Crosby and Hope', 'Starsky and Hutch' and even 'Tom and Jerry'."

Charlie gave a slight gasp. "But Tom didn't really like Jerry, I mean they were always chasing each other and hurting each other." As sad puppy dog eyes stared into his father's eyes expecting a good explanation for his choices.

"Think about it. Would it be the same if it were only Jerry? Sure they hurt each other sometimes, but neither can truly be alive without the other. They complete each other.

Alan leaned closer to his son and whispered, "The best thing about a buddy is you don't have to say something, the other just knows what you mean. Sometimes actions really do speak louder than words."

"Buddies in spirit even if the words aren't said, is that what you mean?" a hopeful look crossed his face as he prayed that maybe it would be possible to be a buddy to his brother.

"Yes, now I seem to remember a certain pie that wasn't finished off in the refrigerator, what do you say to a quick raid and mum's the word?"

A smile crossed his face as he joined his father in a conspiracy to eat up the leftover pie.

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Charlie cautiously walked into the dark hospital room. First, he saw his dad reading the paper. Alan greeted him with a smile and glanced over to the hospital bed.

Charlie stared at his brother. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that restlessness was still plaguing his brother even under the influence of some heavy-duty drugs.

The list of injuries would demand time to heal. "Dad, why didn't he wait until I could help him? I told him I would. Why does he feel he has to do it all on his own?"

Alan looked at both boys before replying, "You've known you're brother all these years and you have to ask?" He shook his head.

Together both responded, "Because he's stubborn." They snickered and Charlie looked away as he was afraid the laughter would turn into tears.

"I'm afraid the broken ribs will require some supervision for a few days. He'll have to stay over. Guess he won't be able to find an excuse to escape at least for a few days, right?"

Alan glanced over at his firstborn. "Hopefully he gets to go home tomorrow. Fever's down and it is a miracle that most of his other injuries are minor. I think over all he was pretty lucky and I'm just thankful you showed up when you did."

"Bad combination, being alone and climbing a ladder. I know he wanted to surprise me for my birthday, but I would have rather had a steak dinner than spending my time in the hospital." Alan walked over to Charlie and squeezed his shoulder.

Don mumbled something in his sleep but he didn't wake up.

Charlie walked over to his brother and straightened out the covers that had gotten disheveled in his agitated slumber. "I think he knows better now."

Grasping his brother's hand, he gently squeezes it. Charlie grins, as Don mumbles something else in his sleep and finally relaxes into a peaceful slumber.

Charlie almost chuckles as he remembers a certain time when he thought he and his brother would never get along. "Dad, do you remember when I worried that Don and I could never be friends. That I would never be one of his buddies?"

Alan smiled and crossed back to the lounge chair allowing Charlie to look after his older brother. Before burying his head back into his paper, "I think I might remember such a time."

"I think we got pass that, now. Of course getting my big strong brother to follow doctors orders will be difficult…but I think we can out maneuver him…if we gang up on him."

"You can count me in." Alan responded dryly. "I live for these moments."

"You know dad, I think finally get that buddies are more than words. Sometimes it is in a touch or finding your brother in pain and taking care of him without saying…I told you so."