Disclaimer: I do not own Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
A/n: A BIG thank you to my two reviewers for the last chapter! I really apreciate it! Once again, I hope Willy isn't too OOC.
Please review! As usual, flames will be thrown in the Chocolate River!
Chapter 2: Breakfast at the Buckets'
The elevator didn't take very long to reach its destination. Charlie and Willy stepped out into the Chocolate Room. It didn't take long for Charlie to notice that his mentor was looking very nervous. "Mr. Wonka, are you all right?" Charlie asked. He wasn't too surprised when Willy didn't answer. Right then, the Chocolatier appeared to be fascinated with his purple gloves. Charlie, however, knew better. "Mr. Wonka, what's going on?" he asked. Willy nervously fiddled with his cane. Charlie gave him a Look. Willy sighed. "I just don't see why we need to talk to your P-p-p-p…to your p-," he stammered. "Parents?" Charlie offered. "Yeah, them," agreed Willy. "Mr. Wonka, we need to tell them I found you. Besides, you know it's mom's rule that we have to check in before starting work for the day," said Charlie. "Oh, all right!" said Willy, sounding an awful lot like a whiney kid. Charlie had to stifle a giggle. By this time, the two had reached the Bucket house.
Before Charlie could stop him, Willy grabbed the door and yanked it open. "Willy!" Mrs. Bucket exclaimed, more than an edge of annoyance in her voice. "How many times do we have to tell you to knock first?" Mr. Bucket scolded. "Sorry," Willy said sheepishly. He took off his top hat and hung it on the coat tree near the door. Then, he rested his cane in the corner. Obviously, Mrs. Bucket didn't need to ask him if he was staying for breakfast! "Okay, everyone, breakfast is served! Come and get it!" Mrs. Bucket announced. Mr. Bucket, Charlie, and Grandpa Joe helped Grandpa George, Grandma Georgina, and Grandma Josephine to the table.
Once Mr. Bucket, Charlie, Grandpa Joe, and Willy were all seated (and Mrs. Bucket had told Willy to please take his elbows off the table), it was time to dish up. "Who wants chocolate chip pancakes?" asked Mrs. Bucket. At the mention of the words "chocolate chip pancakes", Willy began bouncing up and down in his chair like an excited little kid at Christmastime. "I'll have some!" he exclaimed. Then, not surprisingly, he tried to snatch the pancake plate right out of Mrs. Bucket's hands! "Willy, dear, you need to wait your turn," she reprimanded him gently. Willy continued bouncing in his chair while the plate was passed around the table. By the time the plate finally reached Willy, he was practically drooling! The eager Chocolatier took about five pancakes off the plate. "Uh, Willy, don't forget to save some for the rest of us!" Mrs. Bucket chided him. Willy blushed. Charlie, the only person who hadn't yet been served, spoke up. "It's all right, Mom. I only need the two that are left," he said. "Even so, we must remember our manners," said Mrs. Bucket, giving Willy a Look. "Sorry, Mrs. Bucket," Willy said, giggling nervously.
"So, Willy, why were you so late this morning?" asked Mr. Bucket. Charlie almost burst out laughing. "Believe it or not, he over-OW!" he exclaimed. Willy had kicked him under the table. "I…I mean he was over in, uh, the Inventing Room. One of the Oompa Loompas needed his help," he said quickly. "Oh, I see," said Mr. Bucket. Willy gave Charlie a grateful smile. "Be that as it may, we can't have you skipping breakfast, Willy! After all, it's the most important meal of the day!" Mrs. Bucket said. Charlie couldn't help but giggle a little. His mother had told him that exact same thing more times than he could count! Mr. Bucket, however, did not look pleased. "Dear, why do you always treat Willy like that?" Mr. Bucket asked. "Treat him like what?" Mrs. Bucket asked, sounding confused. "You act like you're his mother!" exclaimed Mr. Bucket. At the mention of the word "mother", Willy jumped up from his chair. "Mr. Wonka, what are you doing?" Charlie asked. "I, uh, I have to go now, 'kay?" Willy responded. Was it just Charlie's imagination, or did his mentor sound like he was about to cry? Willy grabbed his cane and hat and headed out the door. Just before the door closed, Charlie was positive he saw tears in Willy's eyes.
Charlie suddenly felt very angry with his father. "Dad, why did you have to go and hurt Mr. Wonka?" he asked. "How was I supposed to know the guy would get upset over a word like 'mother'?" Mr. Bucket answered. Mrs. Bucket sighed. She understood her husband's frustration, of course. However, she wished that he had waited until Willy was out of earshot before bringing it up. Finally, she said, "Dear, you know Willy is a very sensitive man."
Suddenly, Charlie remembered something that made him want to cry. "You know, Mr. Wonka has never mentioned his mom, and I know for a fact that his dad lives alone. That makes me think that maybe something, you know…" he couldn't bring himself to finish his sentence. Mrs. Bucket looked sad. "You're probably right, Charlie," she said. "No wonder he was so upset!" said Grandpa Joe. "The poor dear," murmured Mrs. Bucket. "You're doing it again!" Mr. Bucket exclaimed, sounding exasperated. Mrs. Bucket gave him a look that clearly said, "We'll talk about this later". "Mom, I think I better go and try to talk to Mr. Wonka," said Charlie. Mrs. Bucket wasn't sure how to respond. She didn't want to hurt Charlie's feelings, but she had a feeling Willy might feel better discussing something like this with another adult, rather than a kid like Charlie. On the other hand, she had no idea where Willy might be, and she certainly did not want to get lost in the factory! "That's a good idea, Charlie, but I think I better come with you," she finally said. "Okay," Charlie agreed.
A/n: Since this chapter is so short, I decided to go ahead and upload chapter 3 as well! Enjoy!