Chapter 41: Squash

Thomas was in his room listening to music on his headphones and drawing on some paper on his bed. Without noticing, Stripe walked into his room, approached him and put an hand on his shoulder, startling him. "Uncle Stripe?" Thomas said, taking off his headphones. "Hey mate! Sorry if I startled you, I knocked but you didn't answer, what are you doing?" Stripe asked with a smile. "Just drawing, I don't have much to do, but what are you doing here?" Thomas asked, putting his drawing to the side. "Trixie has all the girls, taking them to ride some horses, they had been nagging us to take them there, and, since I'm all alone at home, I thought it would be a good opportunity for us to spend some time together," Stripe said as he sat down on his nephew's bed. Thomas smiled at that. "Okay, is my dad okay with it?" Thomas asked. "Oh yeah, he's totally fine with it," Stripe said with a smile.

"I'm not fine with it!" Bandit said while picking up the toys in the back yard. "Bandit, your brother just wants to spend time with his nephew, what's the harm on that?" Chilli said, helping her husband with the toys. "Maybe I wanted a day with my son," Bandit said, putting more toys away. "Come on, Bandit, you get to see Thomas every day, and Stripe has been very busy with work and the girls, he deserves some quality time with Thomas, he is his only nephew after all," Chilli said. Bandit knew she was right, but even so he couldn't help but feeling a little unease. "Look at it this way, all the kids will be gone from the house, that means we can have some time alone," Chilli said with a smile before giving her husband a kiss on his muzzle. Bandit blushed before kissing his wife back. "I guess you have a point there," Bandit said with a smile.

"Hey dad," Thomas said coming out to the backyard. "Yes mate?" Bandit said with a smile as his son walked out to him. "Is it fine with you if I go with uncle Stripe today?" Thomas asked. "Well…" Bandit started to say, hesitating to what to say, until Chilli gave him a nudge. "Yes mate, I'm fine with it," Bandit said with a smile. "Okay, thanks, I'll be back later," Thomas said before going back into the house. "Now we can have our alone time," Chilli said, while cuddling up to her husband. "Well… I guess that having all the kids out of the house does have its advantages" Bandit replied, while holding Chilli and giving her a kiss. "Why don't we let the chores for later?" Bandit asked. "Are you trying to be romantic or dodge the chores?" Chilli asked with a smile and a raised eyebrow. "That depends… on what you want, milady," Bandit replied. "Well… I guess I could take a break," Chilli said, chuckling.

Thomas met his uncle in his car and then buckled up. "So what are we going to do today?" Thomas asked as Stripe started the car. "Well Mate, I thought we go play some squash," Stripe said as he pulled out of the driveway. "Squash?" Thomas asked. "Yeah, has your dad taken you yet to play mate?" Stripe asked as he drove. "No, how do you play?" Thomas asked. "Well you play like this…" Stripe said as he started to explain the game. Now walking to the squash court Stripe finished explaining the game. "So there's nothing really to it mate," Stripe said as they walked into the squash room. "Sounds easy enough," Thomas said picking up a racket. "I'll go easy on you," Stripe said, after putting his wristbands and headband and getting the ball ready. "Don't underestimate me, uncle Stripe, I used to play tennis on my P.E. classes and I was fairly good," Thomas replied. "Ah, dear nephew, you'll see that tennis cannot be compared to squash," Stripe replied.

And so Stripe serviced the ball and uncle and nephew started their game, with each one taking turns to hit the ball against the wall. As they went on, Stripe got impressed by how good his nephew was handle it. It was then that Thomas hit the ball with some strength that, when it came back after bouncing on the wall, Stripe was not able to reach it, leading to Thomas to make a point. "Not bad, mate," Stripe said. "Thanks, uncle Stripe," Thomas said. "I hope you have enjoyed that beginner's luck, because it won't happen again," Stripe said. They continued the game and Thomas' beginner's luck didn't run out as Stripe had predicted. In fact, Thomas continued to make a very good game, scoring very high. Despite Stripe was able to recover quickly, he was still shocked by his nephew's ability to really make him do a great effort to the game. To Stripe's surprise, Thomas was able to win the first game. "Wow, that was a nice game, uncle Stripe," Thomas said, happily. "Yeah… nice game… really gnarly…" Stripe said, while trying to catch his breath.

"Are you okay, uncle Stripe?" Thomas asked. "Yes, I am, I just need to take a little break before the next game, I'll go get myself refreshed," Stripe said, while moving away. Watching him going, Thomas got himself a little worry. Could it be that his uncle was a little disappointed for having lost to him on his first game? But then quickly he passed that idea. He had known his uncle for long as he can remember and he knew he would not let a simple loss on a game affect him. Meanwhile, Stripe went to the nearest fountain to wash his face and try to cool down his thoughts. He just couldn't believe how good Thomas was at squash. The way he played reminded him of how Bandit normally would win most of their games. But even him was not that good when he started.

Stripe knew maybe that had to do with the tennis training Thomas had, however the uncle couldn't just let his less experienced nephew to beat him just like that. It was already bad enough having to put all his energies to be able to beat Bandit… and without having the girls 'controlling' them. He needed to show him what he really could do on the game. With that in mind, Stripe returned to his nephew's side. "Ready for the next game?" Stripe asked, while getting inside the room. "Yes, uncle Stripe… but I want to know if you're okay," Thomas said, worried. "I'm fine, don't worry, let's just play," Stripe said. Despite not being sure of the certainty of those words, Thomas complied and so the two started another game. Much like the previous game, Thomas started at the lead, however Stripe, wanting to beat his nephew so badly, started to play with more intensity, all while trying to limit Thomas' range as much as possible or putting him in impossible situations. Eventually, Stripe managed to win the game.

Stripe was breathing so hard that he fell to the ground. "Uncle Stripe!" Thomas shouted as he ran over to him. Stripe was sweating and overheated from playing that game with his nephew. "Are you okay?" Thomas asked. "I'm fine mate I just need some rest," Stripe said as he tried to sit up. "You're not fine," Thomas tried to help his uncle. "I'm fine Bandit!" Stripe snapped. "What?" Thomas asked, taking a step back. Stripe realized what he did and Instantly regretted it. "Mate… I'm sorry I'm… not thinking clearly," Stripe said, now being able to sit up. "Why did you call me my dad?" Thomas asked confused. Stripe took a deep breath and then sat against the wall. "Sit with me mate, I'll explain," Stripe said, catching his breath. Thomas did as he was told and sat down with his uncle. "I'm sorry mate, my whole life I've been in competition with your dad and your uncle Rad but mostly your dad," Stripe explained. "But, why are you mad at me for helping you?" Thomas a little hurt about his uncle snapping at him. "It's not your fault mate, I shouldn't have snapped at you like that. It wasn't right of me to let my competitive side get the best of me with you just because me and your dad are really competitive doesn't mean you should suffer," Stripe explained.

"Oh," Thomas said, looking away from his uncle. "Hey," Stripe said softly, making his nephew look at him. Thomas looked at his uncle, "I'm sorry mate, I wouldn't do anything to hurt your feelings," Stripe said with a soft smile. "It's okay uncle Stripe I forgive you, I don't what it's like to have competition with my siblings or my cousins because their so young," Thomas said now laying down on his uncles lap. "Trust me mate it's not something you want," Stripe said looking down at his nephew. "Remember when I was five and I wanted to live with you?" Thomas asked with a chuckle. Stripe chuckled at that, "yeah I remember it like it was yesterday," Stripe said now remembering it.

(Flashback)

Stripe and five year old Thomas were in the living room of Bandit and Emily's apartment watching TV. Emily was in the kitchen doing the dishes until she looked at the time. "Stripe, you should be getting going if you want to make your flight," Emily said, putting the last of the dishes away. "You're right Em," Stripe said standing up. "No! Don't go uncle Stripe!" Thomas said, pulling on his uncle's tail. "Honey please don't pull your uncle's tail, he really needs to go," Emily said, seeing that her son was upset about his favorite uncle leaving. "I'll be back soon mate," Stripe said with a soft smile. "It's not fair!" Thomas said before running to his room. "Sweetheart, wait," Emily said, getting ready to go after her son. "I got him Em," Stripe said as he walked to his nephew's room. Stripe knocked on his nephew's door and waiting for his answer. "Go away uncle Stripe," Thømas said. "Come on mate, do you really want to say that before I leave?" Stripe asked. "No," Thomas said with a sniff. Stripe then walked into the room and found his nephew in his little tent crying to himself.

"Hey mate," Stripe said, getting in the small tent. "Why do you have to go?" Thomas as he Curled up against his uncle. "I have to go home to aunt Trixie mate," Stripe explained. "Why can't you two leave here? Why do you have to live so far away?" Thomas asked with a tear rolling down his muzzle. "Because Australia is my home mate and it used to be your dads," Stripe explained. Thomas then jumped at his uncle and hugged him tightly. "Can I live with you and aunt Trixie?" Thomas asked while hugging his uncle. "No, mate you live here with your mum and dad," Stripe said while hugging his nephew. "I miss you uncle Stripe," Thomas said before breaking the hug. "Won't you miss your mum and dad mate?" Stripe asked. "Yeah… but dad hasn't been home lately," Thomas said with a sad look on his face. "Well mate he's working a lot for you," Stripe explained. "But then he's too tired to play with me, that's why I like playing with you," Thomas confessed. "Hey, your dad will play with you all you have to do is ask him," Stripe explained. Thomas nodded before giving his uncle another hug. "I love you uncle Stripe," Thomas whispered to his uncle. "I love you too mate, I'll be back soon I promise you," Stripe said with a smile.

Stripe then left his nephew's room and went back out to the living room. "He really misses you when you are gone," Emily said from the couch. "I know he does," Stripe said, now looking to Emily. "He does get love from my brother when he comes but there's nobody like you Stripe," Emily said with a soft smile. "But if only he knew Rad," Stripe said looking down. "He would be so good at this," Emily said, looking away from Stripe. "Have you talked to him?" Stripe asked. "No, I wish he would talk to me," Emily said looking back at Stripe. "He would love Thomas so much," Emily added.

(End of Flashback)

"Come on mate, I think I'm ready to go," Stripe said, trying to get up. Thomas got up and handed out his hand. "Let me help you uncle Stripe," Thomas said with a smile. Stripe smiled as he took his nephew's hand. As Stripe stood up he rubbed the top of his nephew's head and smiled. "It's crazy to think you were just five years old just a minute ago and now you're sixteen and pretty soon getting ready for college," Stripe said with a smile about ready to tear up. "Don't cry uncle Stripe, I'm still the same kid," Thomas said with a smile. "Yeah, but you were like my son for the longest time before Muffin and Socks," Stripe said as he put his arm around his nephew's shoulder as they went back to the car. "I know that," Thomas said with a smile. The uncle and nephew got in the car and then drove back home.

Kodiwolf321 A/N: hey guys! Here is a new chapter for you! If you haven't already checked out Happy Faces: Bluey I updated it twice for you so check that out and before you read the next chapter of Sad Faces there is a prelude story called "The Video Call" towards the end of that short story is a prelude to the next chapter of Sad Faces here chapter 42 will be called Chapter 42: Unstable and so if you read the video call and then come back to chapter 42 it will make more sense to what's going on alright guys I'll see you real soon for the next chapter.