And now I introduce you to Mr. Kevin McCormick, who is yet another one of my favorite characters to write.
Chapter Six: And I Feel The Way Every Child Should
Title from "Mad World" by Gary Jules, originally by Tears For Fears
The first and last time anyone stayed at his house had been purely an ulterior motive. The Marshes, Broflovskis, and Mrs. Cartman wanted their children and his best friends to get chickenpox so they didn't suffer later in life. He knew they felt their parents were torturing them by making them stay at his house. He remembered they tried their hardest to get out of it and Kyle pretty much hated him for awhile afterwards.
What his friends hadn't realized was that he also felt he was being tortured. As an eight year old kid who had spent his entire life trying to keep them from his house and trying to play house in a home that had never seen anything more than frozen waffles and cold pop tarts, he had been severely humiliated. And the fact he was actually sick and miserable didn't help either.
As he recalled, that was the first time he ever killed himself.
And they never went back there to hang out again.
The place he called home was a ruined fort from his father's childhood. The current condition of the shack seemed to be a reflection of the remnants of a broken childhood and the choices his dad had made for his life. They were left to live in the wreckage and fight for survival that seemed impossible some days. It wasn't home in any sense of the word; just a place to eat and sleep.
But it was his life, nonetheless. It was his house, his family, and he was proud of the fact that at least he had learned to how live simple and what not to be. Even though he and his family fought sometimes he loved them unconditionally, well most of them at least.
Except his mom convinced him to re-open the old wounds he received as an eight year old and invite his best friend to his house. He wasn't sick this time; she just wanted to get to know his closest friend. It also just so happened to be his birthday, which would make the probable rejection or judgmental laughter, if not both, a whole lot worse.
All day Kenny sat at his desk with worry clawing at his gut as he fought to ask that stupid eight letter sentence. He didn't know why it bothered him so much; probably because he had been tricked the most out of everyone that day. He actually thought his friends wanted to see him to know he was feeling better.
He had nothing. They hadn't even had electricity the last two weeks and he was expected to have a friend over? What they considered clean water gurgled from the faucet in murky browns that he didn't want to question. They didn't have heat, there were holes in the roof and the walls, syringes and empty beer cans lay on the floor, and a meth lab was in their poor excuse of a garage. No wonder no one ever wanted to come around; hell, he didn't even want to step foot in his house.
The final bell rang and Kenny shuffled out of science. He went to his locker and grabbed his backpack. He waved to Stan and Kyle who hurried to get out of the middle school hallway, and sighed heavily as he slowly shut his locker door. His heart drummed furiously in his chest and he felt like he was going to be sick. Waiting was the worst.
But eventually he caught sight of wispy blonde hair and aqua eyes; his blood ran cold. Right now he wouldn't mind at all if he died. Butters waved to Bebe and Wendy, and hurried up to Kenny with a bright smile on his face. The darker blonde swallowed the acrid taste in his mouth and felt his lips pull weakly.
"H-hey, Ken! You don't look so good," Kenny shrugged and followed Butters to his locker. He felt his eyes move lower and shook his head quickly as he averted his gaze from his observation of how good Butters' legs looked in skinny jeans. "So what're you doing this weekend?" Butters asked chipperly as he opened his locker and put his Earth Science book on the top rack. He grabbed out a couple of notebooks and shoved them in his bag.
"Uh... do you maybe wanna have a sleepover?" He asked quietly, slightly hoping Butters wouldn't hear him. But he did, and his eyes widened in surprise. Kenny felt his face heat as he waited for a response.
This was a bad idea to begin with. He didn't want Butters to see where he lived or how little he had. He didn't want to be made fun of for being-
"Really? You're asking me?!" Butters asked excitedly. Kenny nodded and grunted in surprise as he was enveloped in a tight hug. "I-I'd love to! Can I just go to my house and get a couple things? My parents are gone for the weekend so I'll just tell 'em I'm hangin' out with my best friend!" Kenny felt his face heat even more as Butters squeezed him one more time, then let go and grinned at the taller boy.
"Okay, uh well I can let you pack and then come by and-"
"Well if you wanted to come with me you could, I don't mind. We can look at what movies I can bring. I just got the entire boxed set of the "Iron Man" movies." Kenny sighed softly and slung his backpack over his shoulder.
"I don't have a DVD player... or a VHS player," Butters' eyes widened and Kenny stared at the floor. He could have left that out. Butters loved movie marathons. The shorter boy was quiet for a moment, then brightened.
"Well I can bring a couple board games then! My favorite one too, maybe we could have a game night instead of a movie night?" Kenny looked up and nodded as he bit back his smile.
They walked out of school talking about what they could do for the night. Kenny had to prepare him for a letdown on lack of food and beverages and warmth but he couldn't bring himself to say anything negative while he listened to Butters' enthusiasm.
He stopped walking as he passed by the bench and sat down. Butters faltered his movements and quickly turned around to return to Kenny's side.
"Why'd you stop?" Butters asked, then took a seat. Kenny ran a hand through his long hair and looked to the school.
"I'm waiting for Karen, and my brother's s'posed to pick us up," Kevin had dropped out last semester and if he remembered or was sober enough he would drop them off and pick them up. Usually they'd end up walking; it didn't bother Kenny, anyway. And sometimes they went to the park or played around on their way home.
"Neat-o!" Butters exclaimed, though Kenny could see slight apprehension at the mention of his older brother. Everyone knew who Kevin McCormick was and what he was like. Kenny often thought of him as a more cruel, stupider version of Cartman which was terrifying. But there were also moments that he was the coolest brother ever; those were fewer and far between the strung out sociopathic tendencies.
"If anything he'll just try to scare you, I'll shut him up. Don't worry," Kenny mumbled and pulled the cuffs of his sleeves over his chapped hands. He looked to the school and saw Karen walking out with former bully and now best friend Ruby Tucker. They hugged and Karen waved to the red-head as she ran to her brother.
"Kenny! Guess what?" Karen cried excitedly with a bright smile on her face. He tilted his head and put his arm around her, "I was invited to Ruby's birthday party!" It was the first party she had ever been invited to; she was in sixth grade and he knew it was extremely difficult for her to make friends. "Can I go?"
"You'll have to ask mom, but that's so cool," she squealed excitedly as she nodded and squeezed him tightly in a hug. He could smell chocolate on her, which was weird because he didn't remember her ever eating chocolate in her life. He glanced to Ruby, who had a half eaten chocolate bar in her hand, and smiled quietly.
"Butters, are you really coming over tonight?" She asked in a quieter voice. Kenny caught his smile as he looked between the two siblings and nodded. Karen opened her mouth to speak yet was interrupted by a blaring horn. He saw their old rusted Chevy and sighed heavily.
Kenny was sure the truck was one bump away from crumbling and it was covered in dust. He was pretty sure they could take down the Confederate flags in the back, too.
"C'mon, shitheads!" Kevin yelled as he manually rolled down the windows. Rob Zombie blasted from the speakers and Butters looked to Kenny with slight fear in his eyes.
Kenny took his hand to reassure him, and Karen's to keep her close. Kenny glanced at his left and saw his fingers locked tightly with Butters'; he fought his instincts and quickly turned his gaze to his brother. The giant of a teenager wore a scowl as they approached and his eyes were bloodshot.
"Who the fuck's that?" he growled lowly. He felt Butters squeeze his hand and Kenny bit back a smile.
"My friend, mom told me I can have him over. Karen'll sit on my lap or I can sit in the bed," Kenny said as he opened the squeaky passenger door. Kevin ran a hand through his long greasy hair and sighed heavily.
"Nuh-uh, you 'member the last time ya did that?" He barked, giving his younger brother a look, "just getcher asses in here. I got shit to do an' you're takin' up my time."
"You're not gonna be home?" Karen asked as she perched on Kenny's lap. Butters scooted closer to Kenny as he tried to disappear. Kevin shook his head and drove down the street. "Why?"
"None ya," was his response. Kenny rolled his eyes and reached to turn down the music; he couldn't hear himself think. Kevin hit his hand and walloped him upside the head in response to his move; Kenny saw stars and rubbed the sore spot. He already had a fading bruise there. "So's that your present, Kenny?" Kevin asked.
Kenny groaned loudly and Butters looked at his best friend curiously.
"Present?" He asked Kevin, who gave a judgmental scoff. He raised a pierced eyebrow and gave him a calculating look, one that showed much more intelligence than anyone gave him credit for, and smirked.
"It's my baby bro's birthday, figured that's why mom letcha invite someone over." Butters gaped at Kenny, who hit his forehead with the palm of his hand and shook his head.
"Kenny, I... I completely forgot it was your birthday!" the bright blonde cried, "I thought today was the 21st... you're fourteen... and I'm your best friend and I forgot."
"It's okay, and no that's not why he's coming over, asshole. Turn here."
"Watch it, you little shit, and why the fuck would I do that?" Kevin growled angrily.
"Butters needs to get his stuff and I don't wanna deal with you. You can just drop us off for all I fucking care," Kevin scoffed and slugged Kenny hard on the shoulder. Butters saw Kenny wince and Karen grab her oldest brother's fist.
"Nah, mom wants the truck. She wants to take y'all out or somethin', I don't fuckin' know. But I'm warnin' ya, if ya don't fuckin' quit your ass is mine." Kenny rolled his eyes and looked to Butters with a smile of reassurance.
He didn't want Butters to see this and the look on his face told him he was terrified. All he could do was try to make him feel better but it would be pointless if they were anywhere near Kevin. He instigated everything and dug into old wounds to make matters worse. Kenny swore if he had an ounce of ambition he'd make a better lawyer than Gerald Broflovski.
"Mom doesn't have to do that," Kenny finally mumbled as they drove down Butters' street. Kevin nodded and as Butters pointed out his house, he pulled up in the driveway.
"No fuckin' kidding. Hurry up."
Karen scrambled off of Kenny's lap as Butters got out of the truck. Kenny followed and looked to Butters with a sympathetic look as he shut the door. They were silent until Butters shut the door to his house.
"Is your arm okay?" Butters asked, reaching for his shoulder. Kenny pulled away abruptly and nodded. The bright blonde sighed as he he watched Kenny recoil and put his hand back down at his side. "Is he always like that?"
"Yeah, he's a major asshole, don't worry 'bout him though. Deep down I'm sure he has a heart. Maybe." Kenny grumbled as they walked up the stairs. Karen gave Butters a look, one of weariness and sadness, and he felt his heart ache.
Kenny helped him pack quickly. He told him to bring some snacks for him later because he'd probably be hungry, and a flashlight. Kenny also bundled up the comforter on his bed and carefully placed his belongings in the back of the truck, along with all of their bags.
They drove across the train tracks and Kenny glanced to Butters to see his reaction. He saw the same look he always saw on his friends when they were forced to go to his house; pity. Kenny quickly looked away and felt that shaming feeling burn deeper in his soul. It got worse as they pulled up in their driveway.
"Alright, I'm out. Uh... Butters was your name?" Kevin asked as he wore a face of confusion. Butters nodded and Kevin relaxed, "cool, I'll see you around. Happy birthday, you little shit."
"Fuck off," Kenny retorted darkly, standing a few inches shorter and significantly skinnier than his brother. Kevin grabbed the collar on his coat and lifted him slightly off the ground.
"Watch it, faggot," Kevin hissed as he shook him once, then pushed him away. Kenny stumbled and Butters caught him before he fell on the uneven ground. Kevin pulled the hood on his sweatshirt up and walked away from the run down house. Kenny raised his hand and flipped him off, then sighed and grabbed their bags and Butters' blanket from the truck bed.
"I think this is the second time I've been here," Butters murmured, Kenny laughed sadly and nodded as he walked through the dead grass, to the cinder block stairs, and fumbled to open the rotted door. Karen opened it instead, and Kenny walked in and set their book bags by the door. He ran to his room quickly and put Butters' sleep over bag on his bed as well as the comforter.
When he returned he saw his mom, wearing a grey pullover hoodie and old jeans, smile as she shook Butters' hand. She looked well rested and happy; and as Kenny looked around he realized the house was actually kind of clean. And kind of warm.
"Mom...?" Kenny asked slowly as he took in his surroundings. She smiled and wrapped her arms around Kenny in a tight hug.
"Your daddy might be a bit upset but... I figured the birthday boy woulda liked this surprise," she said with a grin as she kissed his cheek. He blushed and looked to Butters, who glanced around curiously, and back to his mom with a slightly parted mouth. "It's great to finally get to have you over, Butters, Kenny's been talkin' so much about ya lately I figured it was about time, huh?" the bright blonde blushed and nodded sheepishly. "No need to be shy, honey, our house is your house. Not much too it but what it lacks in luxury it gains in love, ain't that right?" She asked her son. Kenny nodded.
With his mom and sister in mind he could agree with that a thousand percent. Put his dad and Kevin in the picture and it was hard to imagine this place as more than a prison. And people were treated much better in prison than at his house. But right now he didn't have to worry about them.
"So, Butters, I got some snacks in here and we can talk for a bit before we head on out. Is that okay with you, baby?" She asked as she looked at her son. Kenny stared at her in confusion; snacks? The only food they had in their kitchen was off-brand Pop Tarts and thawed frozen waffles.
But as he followed her into the tiny corner room he saw she bought a few food items that he hadn't ever seen in their house. All of it was off-brand but that didn't matter. What mattered was there was actual food. He couldn't force his jaw to close as he saw the chips and popcorn, and the healthier stuff too- bread, peanut butter and jelly, lunch meats, and...
"There's milk in the fridge," Kenny blurted as he stared at the half gallon jug. His mom nodded and smiled lovingly at him.
"Just for you, baby, Karen too; you'll have to share. Thank God Kevin hates milk." Kenny beamed and opened the lid, and didn't regret anything as he drank from the plastic jug. His mom shook her head and Butters looked on in silence and surprise. Carol laughed a little at his expression, then sat on the counter as she opened the bag of popcorn and offered it to Butters, "Kenny's favorite drink is milk... and before you freak out like you usually do I used food stamps. That's why your daddy's gonna be angry." Butters furrowed his eyebrows yet said nothing as Kenny nodded and finally tore his mouth from the jug. He twisted the cap back on and put the milk back in the mostly empty fridge.
"I like your h-house," Butters finally said, "it's real humble... and homey." Carol looked at him at first with a disbelieving look yet saw the sincerity in his eyes and her eye softened.
"You really are a sweetheart, ain'tcha?" She asked softly, causing him to blush darkly and look at the floor. Kenny glanced at him and Carol considered his look before she tossed a piece of popcorn in the air and caught it in her mouth. "Well, you're always welcome into our humble abode then." Butters beamed and Kenny's lips tugged in a smile. "So, your parents are the Stotches, Linda and Stephen?" he nodded and Carol nodded slowly, "are they pretty strict?"
"W-well it's only 'cause I have chores and I m-misbehave sometimes s-s-so..." Carol scoffed, not in annoyance but in amusement, and hopped down from the counter. She stood at a mere 5'0" and Butters, who was one of the shortest in their class, felt like a giant compared to her.
"Honey, all boys misbehave. Gol-ly, you shoulda seen this one when he was a little tyke. Always getting' into stuff, but he was real curious. I can't count the times I found 'im somewhere his nose didn't belong. Kinda like now, right?" Carol teased as she nudged her middle son's shoulders. Butters laughed quietly and Kenny blushed as he looked down at his mom. "So if you ever feel like misbehavin' this is the place to do it, right?" Kenny smirked and Karen looked up from her book as she sat at the plastic table. "Now Kenny, where would you like to eat? Anywhere you want."
"Mama..." he trailed off warily, she shook her head and took his hand.
"You deserve it, baby. Just tell me what you wanna do, anything at all. Well, I got your surprise for ya but... other than that, the night is yours."
So they went to Bennigan's because it was Butters' favorite restaurant and Kenny was always curious as to why. He found himself unable to finish his food after only eating a quarter of his meal. His stomach squirmed uncomfortably and he figured it was because he wasn't used to eating actual food. Butters seemed elated that they went there, and Karen had happily eaten her french fries, leaving her chicken sandwich for later.
They were all laughing and joking around and for the first time in forever it wasn't forced for Kenny. His gut hurt from being full, and from laughing so hard his body shook as Butters recalled story after story of them. His mom had tears in her eyes from her laughter, and Karen was red in the face. He watched them all with as his chuckles faded, replaced with a content smile with a hint of sadness.
This is what it should always be like. But it was the moments like this he knew he'd cherish. Karen needed to see this side of their mother as well. He glanced down at her stomach, saw her hand pressed against her abdomen, and he figured that the little brother or sister needed this as well.
"A-and then he came back with all the chi chis, and my people accepted him! It was the coolest t-thing ever and... I think that's when I knew he was my best friend." Butters said as he now recounted the story of how they became close. Kenny's memory faded to Hawaii and sighed wistfully; things were so much simpler then.
Carol beamed and reached her hand for her son, who took it. Her eyes shined with pride and her smile made her look so young and happy.
"He sure is loyal... and I've always been tellin' him he needs a friend like you. Don't get me wrong Stan and Kyle are good boys, a little adventuresome, but that Eric Cartman. Man, ain't he a real piece of work?" Butters nodded and grimaced slightly, "not a friend of yours?"
"I-I dunno, he just... he's real messed up and h-he's done a lot of real bad stuff but deep down he i-isn't so bad. T-though sometimes I really don't like him." Carol smiled and leaned back a little as she looked at Butters.
"You don't say a mean word about anyone, do you, honey?" She asked, Butters blushed and shook his head. Kenny felt his knee accidentally knock against Butters' and wasn't sure whether to pull his away or leave it there. Butters didn't seem to mind; he could feel his bounce against his. "You're such a sweet boy, Kenny, why haven't you brought him round before?" She asked. The dark blonde shrugged his shoulders and she caught his look; that one from long ago. "Well, at least I've finally had this opportunity. How 'bout we go do your surprise? No, hon you're not payin' for your dinner..." Carol trailed off as Kenny pulled out his wallet.
He gave her a look, then faltered under her piercing gaze and slid his wallet back in his pocket. Butters was flipping through a few dollar bills and Carol put her hand in the wallet, "you either, dear. This is what I've been workin' extra for, just don't tell your daddy." she said, then laughed as she put her finger to her lips. Karen giggled and rested her head on her mom's arm.
Once they got back in the car and drove out of South Park, Kenny looked curiously at his mom from the middle seat. He said nothing, except he watched the signs tell them they were getting closer to Frisco.
"Ken, this is so much fun," Butters whispered as he looked at the dark blonde. Kenny grinned and nodded. Karen and his mom were singing along to the radio; he recognized it as a song by Flyleaf. "I love your family, thank you... so much, for-for this."
"Of course," Kenny whispered back with an affectionate smile as he nudged his shoulder. "I was kinda nervous, actually. But... this has been awesome." he didn't remember the last time his family had a night out like this. Probably when they went to the amusement park when he wast trying to prevent his mom from having another baby.
"Why were you nervous?" Butters asked, instinctively grabbing Kenny's wrist. Neither of them thought nothing of it and Kenny leaned in closer.
"'Cause... we don't usually have that stuff. I... we haven't had power on for like a month, and... the fact that my mom did that just... I dunno. And I was scared of what you'd think if you saw how it usually is."
"But it's your life Ken," Butters replied with a gentle smile, "yeah there's some holes in the wall and some stains and stuff, but you walk in that door and you feel like you're home. Like you're a part of a family and there's some much love..." Kenny just smiled sadly; he wished it was like that all the time. It usually was, when his dad wasn't around. And if his dad wasn't around Kevin was usually better too. "I love it."
They drove through Frisco, to what was considered the downtown, and Carol parked in the back of a little plaza. She locked the door and put the keys in her pocket as the three kids got out of the cramped front seat.
"What are we doing?" Kenny asked as they walked up the sidewalk, to the front of the plaza. There was a little bookstore, a cafe, a tobacco shop, and a tattoo parlor. Kenny liked books enough but he hadn't wanted a book for awhile, and he liked coffee but if he ever got it then it was from the Tweak's coffee shop so it was pointless to drive to Frisco. His mom didn't want him smoking but she knew he did anyway, but he had a pack of cigarettes so he didn't need it. That only left one thing.
He turned to his mom with eyes ablaze and a grin began to spread on his face.
"No way," he gasped, taking a step back as she walked to the front door of the tattoo parlor. Her eyes sparkled and she shrugged her shoulders.
"I've been doin' a lot of thinkin'... Kevin got his first tattoo when he was sixteen and you're too young for tattoos. But... he got his first piercing when he was thirteen and I took him instead of going to one of his skeevy friends... my best friend from high school is a professional tattoo artist and piercer. She did the tattoo on my back, and my belly button and dermals." Kenny jumped in the air and Butters laughed in awe of how excited he suddenly was.
"You're serious?" He asked, looking at his mom with glowing blue eyes, "we're seriously going in there and I can get whatever I want?" Kenny cried excitedly.
"Well, not whatever... I mean, people do some weird shit. I don't wanna be there for that. I was thinking you'd do that lip thing you've been yammering about, or your tongue. Kev would say you're copying him if you do your eyebrow so... just do whatever you want," Carol replied as she opened the door. Karen was at her side, suddenly quiet and a little shy, and Butters took Kenny's hand in slight nervousness.
"Get outta here, Carrie?!" A voice cried in excitement. Kenny watched as a woman about thirty, his mom's age, ran up with her arms covered in tattoos and several piercings.
"Liz, it's been way too long," his mom said as they hugged and the woman with dyed black hair kissed his mom's cheek. "The shop's changed so much since I was last here!"
"Yeah! We just got another apprentice so good things are comin' our way. What brings you here toni... oh Jesus, these are your kids, aren't they? Shit, I remember when that one was just a tiny little boy and she was nothin' but a baby bump." Carol smiled and nodded as she outstretched her hand to Kenny, who took it with his free hand. "That one ain't Kevin though." His mom shook her head and smiled at Butters for a moment, then turned to her high school friend.
"No, he's... doing whatever he does on his nights. This is Kenny's best friend, it's Kenny's birthday-"
"Shit, son, how old're you?" Liz asked, eying the tall blonde.
"Uh, fourteen," he replied. She shook her head and clapped a hand on Carol's shoulder.
"Man, that's crazy. Happy birthday, bud... is that what you're here for? I just had Kevin in to work on his sleeve, shoulda had you come along." Carol nodded and put a leading hand on Kenny's back. Butters still hadn't let go of his hand and he took a step forward.
"He's been goin' on about getting a piercing so I figured I'd bring him up to the best of the best." Carol said with a happy smile, then gazed at her son, "you decided which one you want?"
"Yeah," Kenny said, then took a deep breath, "I'll pay for one, but I think I wanna do snakebites and my tongue." Butters' eyes widened. Carol let out a breath of laugh and shook her head. Liz eyed him for a moment and sighed.
"You realize you'll sound like you have a peanut allergy, right?"
"People don't hear me anyway," He replied. Butters rolled his eyes.
"Well, I can do a discount if you get three... usually it's $25 for each. But if you two it goes down to $45, and if you wanna do those ones I can knock it down to $55. If you can handle it... it's not that it hurts, but it could, but it'll just be a longer healing process." Kenny shrugged his shoulders and looked to his mom, who nodded.
"It knocks out two birds with one stone," she replied. Liz gave a nod, then put her arm over Kenny's shoulder and led him to a station. He sat in the chair and Karen peeked from her mom's side as they watched Liz sterilize several utensils.
Kenny wasn't worried at all; he had an incredible pain tolerance. He'd been impaled before, so a piercing would be nothing.
"I'm gonna pierce your lip first, look at me straight for a minute," she marked his bottom lip on either side, and help up the clamp. "And then I'm gonna hold this on your lip, you'll feel a pinch, and it might bleed a little but that's rare." Kenny nodded and felt her pinch his bottom lip with the forceps and didn't even have time to blink as she pushed the needle through his lip. He barely felt it, except the slight tug as the bar went through the hole, and when she screwed it in tight. She repeated it with the right sight, and took a step back.
"Not even a flinch, damn you got yourself some tough boys, Carrie," Liz said with an impressed laugh. Carol looked a little sad at that, and Butters looked at her curiously. He looked back to Kenny who looked as if he was battling his instincts to touch his lip. "Tongue out," she said, "flat," she added. Kenny flattened his tongue and watched as she marked his tongue. "How's that?"she showed the placement to him in the mirror, and he nodded; he didn't really care. "I had to move it a little to the right because of the webbing, but that's not a big deal. Hardly noticeable. When I count to one I want you to inhale, okay?" He nodded and grimaced as his tongue was pinched with a different clamp. "Three, two, one... breathe in," she murmured. Butters squeezed his eyes shut as it went through his tongue. Kenny wrinkled his nose as she screwed the ball onto the barbell.
Kenny looked a little pale but mostly calm as he stood up from the chair. Liz gave him a look over, examined each piercing carefully, then gave a thumbs up.
"Now, you're not gonna be able to eat solid foods for about a week or so, maybe two, so you'll have to be careful with that. Try to avoid hot food, and I'll give you a solution to clean the piercings, usually two or three times a day. I'll need you to come back in three weeks to switch out the barbell in your tongue. Do you have any questions?" Kenny thought for a moment.
"When will the thwelling go down?" Butters, Carol, and Karen tried not to laugh as he spoke with a lisp. He grimaced slightly, and touched his chin. It was already starting to swell. Liz smiled and shrugged.
"About five days, try not to talk a lot, take as much ibuprofen as you can, and ice is amazing during that time. With your tongue it could bleed a little and there could be this white film on it, but don't worry. That's normal. I'll check you out again to make sure everything's going normal when you come back in. Kay?" Kenny nodded. "Regretting your birthday present?" Kenny laughed and shook his head as they approached the counter.
"Nope," he replied. Carol pulled out the money to pay, but Kenny gave her half of it back and put his own money on the counter.
"Good, 'cause those really suit you, once they aren't swollen, anyway. Carrie, call me up sometime, or just come visit. I miss you like fuckin' crazy." They both hugged again and with that they got back in the car. Carol looked at Kenny and shook her head; she tried not to laugh as she took in his already swelling mouth.
"Thut up," he mumbled, cheeks flushed.
They returned to the McCormick's home and, like Kenny had said, they played board games for the remainder of the night. Karen won Candyland, and Butters won Sorry!, and Carol eventually won Blind Man's Bluff. Kenny was just having fun, and eventually when he got third place in Rat Race, he couldn't help but laugh as he watched Karen win again.
He looked over the three of them and nothing could stop him from smiling. He was over the moon as they just lounged in their living room, eating pop corn and drinking bottled water, and laughed as they played the games. That was what family was supposed to be like, and Kenny was so happy that his mom had gone through so much to make it better for him. Because he had been mortified when Stan, Kyle, and Cartman stayed the night, and this... this was how it was supposed to be.
Eventually, at 1:30 in the morning Butters was about to fall asleep and Karen had passed out on the floor. Carol kissed both boys on the forehead as she said goodnight, then told Kenny "happy birthday" one last time before she went to bed.
"How's your lip and tongue?" Butters asked in a slurred voice as he was dragged to Kenny's room. He took in the surroundings, incredibly clean and barely any furniture, and watched as Kenny made his bed slightly. It was just a mattress on the floor, and Kenny looked embarrassed as he fixed the wrinkled sheet and put Butters' comforter over the sheet that had once been white but was now a dingy grey.
"My whole mouth feelth like ith gonna pop." Butters tried not to laugh and Kenny looked at him sadly, "don't make fun of me!"
"I'm sorry! I'm not!" Butters assured, "they look really nice, it had to hurt though." Kenny shrugged as he undid his jeans and Butters watched as they fell down due to the fact they were much too large for him. Kenny's legs were a slight shade darker than his own and they were mostly bone. He looked away quickly and Kenny turned to him.
"Uh, I uthually thleep in my boxerth. Ith that okay? I can find thome panth if you want." Butter shrugged, then shook his head.
"We've showered together, I think I'm okay with that," Butters replied, smiling happily at Kenny, who was thankful his swollen mouth already made him look flushed. He turned away as Butters changed, and unzipped his parka. He hung it by the hood on the door and folded his baggy jeans before putting them in the two shelved plastic bin he used as a dresser; not that he needed one.
He was thankful Butters decided to bring a pillow. The poor excuse of the pillow he had was a couple of old t-shirts that he no longer fit into folded in a ratty pillow case. Butters fluffed it a couple of times, then got it in the tiny bed and laid down with tired eyes set on Kenny.
"Confession," Butters whispered; Kenny smiled. This was a game they played sometimes when they would spend hours hanging out together, "this was the best sleepover I've ever been to."
Kenny felt his words pierce his heart, in a good way, and looked down at his hands. His mom had made it that way; if their dad had been here it would be a completely different story. All he was was thankful for the fact that he wasn't here. Because truth be told this was probably one of the happiest days of Kenny's life.
"Confethion," Kenny said, then made a whining noise as Butters snickered, "I haven't had thith much fun in yearth. Tho it wath the betht day I've had in awhile." Butters looked at Kenny with sad, but happy, eyes and smiled; he was glad to have been a part of it.
"Confession," Butters replied as he laid on his pillow, "I... I wish my family was like yours." Kenny sighed softly and also laid down on his pillow. They locked eyes and Kenny had the sudden urge to capture Butters' lips in a kiss. He wouldn't though; he had told himself a long time ago that Butters was off limits and always would be.
"Why?" Kenny asked, then averted his eyes to his room. Butters shrugged and took Kenny's hand. The younger boy's heart leaped but he kept his eyes from expressing that.
"'Cause, you... you might not have a lot, but you have your mom's love. That makes you richer than most of the kids here, or anywhere. I can tell... even Kevin cares about you. He's just... a little messed up right now, but aren't we all?" Kenny was silent as he soaked in Butters' words.
"I gueth, hey... Lee?" He asked; the bright blonde looked up at the nickname, and smiled vividly. "Thankth for not makin' fun of me or being upthet that we don't have much." Butters shook his head and hugged Kenny tight.
"I'd never do that!" Butters replied, "and you have more than you know," he added, closing his eyes as he settled back on his pillow.
Eventually he fell asleep and Kenny stared up at the ceiling. He found images in the cracks and took in the silence of the night. It was never silent. If his parents weren't screaming or fucking, Kevin wasn't blaring his music, and Karen wasn't crying he at least heard the scratching of the rats in the walls. Or the insects chirping and buzzing in the corners. Maybe Butters' presence made that all go away; he didn't know.
But the silence was deafening, and he found himself unable to fall asleep. So he looked at Butters and watched the gentle rise and fall of his chest, took in the peaceful bliss on his sleeping face, and the way his hair seemed to fall over his eyes. He looked cherubic, and suddenly Kenny felt guilty of the thoughts that ran through his mind when he was alone. He shook his head and gripped the comforter tightly; he couldn't think about that now.
He watched the sun rise from the tiny window in his room and he was wide awake. There was no sleepiness pulling at his eyes, and he found it more and more difficult to not watch Butters as he slept. Yeah, that was probably creepy, but he looked young, innocent. Not that he didn't always look like that, but now he could really see it.
When he heard his mom's door open he decided to get up as well. He didn't think Butters would be upset and carefully pulled himself from the arm wrapped over his stomach, and bunched up the blankets to act as him. He put on his jeans, tip-toed out of the room and found his mom in the kitchen with an off-brand pancake mix.
"Mom..." he trailed off, looking at the box. She gave him a look, shrugged, then poured the mix in the only bowl they owned.
"Can't sleep?" she asked, then took a look at his face, "I wish we had some ice for your mouth," he shrugged and hopped up on the counter.
"It'th okay," he murmured, wincing slightly as he tasted blood, "why're up tho early?" Carol smiled and measured out an approximation of the amount of water she needed, then poured it in the bowl.
"I've been up off and on getting' sick, and figured I could make use of myself." Kenny nodded slowly and stuck his finger in the batter, "it's gonna taste like shit," she warned, then laughed as he licked the batter and stared in disgust at his finger. "So did I freak out Butters last night?" Kenny shook his head, "Stephen and Linda Stotch don't deserve that boy, Jesus, I tell you one thing about those two... he's such a good spirit."
"Yeah, well he liked it here. Thaid it wath like full of love and thtuff and that we're rich 'cauthe of that." Carol smiled and took her son's hand as she nodded.
"I'm the richest person in the world 'cause I got three angels for babies. Four soon, and one's a little rough but he still shines in his own way. I wouldn't trade havin' you for anything. And you're gonna be someone, someday. You and your sister, you're getting' out of here. Maybe Kevin too."
"You too," Kenny murmured, she smiled with tired eyes and sighed. "We'll all get out." Carol nodded and turned to the stove that had rarely been used, put a cookie sheet on the burner as a pan, and searched for something to coat the sheet with.
"So, 's there anything you wanna tell me?" Carol asked as she pulled out a cube of margarine from the fridge. Kenny looked at her dumbly and cocked his head to the side, "I mean, it's none of my business but... does Butters play for the home team?" Kenny let out a laugh and sighed heavily.
"Yeah, he'th gay but it'th not like-" Carol waved a hand and raised an eyebrow at her son, who's jaw dropped. "What?!" he barked, cheeks flaming slightly.
"Have Stan and Kyle decided to come out too? Jesus, I remember that summer party years ago Gerald and Sheila invited all us to, and we couldn't find those two anywhere. We ended up comin' across 'em buck naked in Kyle's closet."
"What..." Kenny trailed off, his eyes wide. Carol nodded.
"Yeah, you were off with your brother findin' the trouble ya both always found..." she trailed off with a laugh as she visited that memory, "and that Cartman kid was with you, I mean you were all just little 'uns so it's not like it was a big deal... but I've had a feelin' those two would end up bein' a little queer."
"Mom!" Kenny cried quietly, she tilted her head.
"What? I ain't sayin' it's a bad thing, I'm just sayin' I saw it comin'." She was quiet as she poured the stirred batter on the heated sheet and watched the batter bubble. Kenny's stomach rumbled quietly and he sighed when he realized he wouldn't be able to eat that; at least not yet, his tongue felt huge. "Kinda funny that your best friends are all a little queer, don'tcha think?" She asked finally, looking to her son with a light in her eyes and an inquisitive expression on her young face. Kenny looked down at the floor and held his hands together as his feet kicked the bottom of the counter.
"Yeah, I guetth tho..." he trailed off, then grabbed his arm and fought off the urge to bite his lip. "Ith it a big deal?" He asked quietly, Carol shook her head and flipped the pancake. She leaned on the counter and yawned in her hand, then smiled at her middle child.
"Nope. I'm not your dad, y'know. Love is love and they deserve to be happy, so does my baby." Kenny furrowed his eyebrows and looked at her warily. "I couldn't help but notice that Butters has a certain look he gives you." Kenny glanced up at that and tried his hardest to not show interest in what she had to say. He saw her bite on her lip, as if she was trying not to smile, "I think he might like you."
"W-why?" he faltered, "he can't like me, mom, he'th better than that. He doethn't... I can't do that, not to him. He thould be would like a Kyle perthon, thmart and nithe and... not me. I mean look at what I do, he can't be with thomeone like that." Carol took his hand in hers after she took off the next pancake from the sheet, and wrapped her other arm around him in a hug, "He can do tho much better than me... and it hurth, mama. But I jutht want him happy."
"Oh baby..." she trailed off, kissing his forehead. She felt his face was against her cheek and knew he was trying to fight back his emotions. Kenny sniffled and hugged her tight as he squeezed his eyes shut. "You're so wonderful, I mean all that you do for your family and friends... some of it I pray to God every night that you didn't have to, but you do it. You're such a good person, and I think if you let yourself open up to someone like Butters, in whatever way, you'd be happy. The only one holding you back is you, honey." Kenny grabbed her shirt and rested his head on her chest as she ran her hands through his hair. She kissed the back of his head and held him close as he calmed himself down.
"You're not mad at me?" Kenny finally whispered, "you don't hate me?" Carol laughed and shook her head as she caressed his cheeks carefully.
"No, Kenny, I'm so proud of you." His arms held her tighter and his head burrowed in the crook of her shoulder. "As long as I get grandbabies from you I don't care who your permanent roommate is as long as they're a good person."
Kenny sighed with relief in her arms and couldn't help but feel overjoyed. He hadn't felt this happy in forever, or free. So long he had dealt with being depressed and losing sight of things and fearing what his family would say. He had never had a proper chance to confess his own secret... and maybe someday he'd have a chance to tell his friends; if it even mattered.
But right now nothing could take him off his cloud. And his mom beamed happily at him as she stroked his dark blonde hair. For the first time in a long time he felt truly, one hundred percent, happy.