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“Anyways, that won’t happen to us,” Eddie said and cued the ball in, “better not” Buck repeated with heavy emphasis. His team didn’t exactly make the anxious feeling he had inside him go away, the opposite actually, thus he left the rest of the team finish their pool game and went downstairs to do some chores.
“It won’t happen to us”, Buck jumped on Eddie’s words and almost hit his head to the wing mirror he was cleaning. “Why did you startle me like that?” he accused. “I didn’t exactly sneak down here, you were just miles away,” Eddie said while looking both amused and worried. “I was just concentrating on the work, unlike some,” Buck protested and walked to the other side of the engine truck. “Buck, Buck… hang on” Eddie said while grabbing Buck’s shoulder. Buck glared back at him with annoyance, “what?” “It won’t happen to us, I promise”, Eddie said with such an emphasis Buck got goose bumps all over him. “Buck, look at me”, Eddie pleaded, “Buck… Evan, look at me” he said while gently turning Buck’s eyes towards his, “we are a family, nothing will change that.” “You say that now,” Buck blurted out without even thinking it. He did believe it, Eddie and Christopher were his family, he loved them, but talking with Red had brought out insecurities he didn’t realise he had. Eddie just smiled at him, with that warm smile which made Buck always feel calm. “Come here,” he said while heading to the locker room, “I have something to show at you.”
Eddie headed straight to his locker and took a paper out of his jacket pocket, “here”, he said and gave the paper to Buck. “What is it?” “Open it and take a look,” Eddie urged. Buck folded the paper open and studied the insides. “Chris drew this?” he asked turning his eyes back to Eddie. “Yeah, he did. They had a school assignment to draw their families doing something they love, so he drew us playing video games”, Eddie explained, “or me and Chris playing and you losing,” he continued. “Us?” Buck repeated with confusion. He lowered his look back and the drawing and really looked at it. And indeed, the drawing had three persons in it sitting on something that distantly looked like Buck’s couch. A kid, who had Chris’ infectious smile, between a brunette…and a blond. Buck swiped a tear from the corner of his eye. “That really looks like you,” Buck grinned while pointing out at a blob with brown hair and a beard, “and is that a Christmas tree?” “Yeah,” Eddie said and cleared his throat, “last year’s Christmas he asked his mother to come back from Santa, and she did… so that tree symbolises Shannon to him.” It was Eddies turn to wipe an escaping tear out of his cheek, “I swear that kid is wise beyond his years.” Buck just kept staring at the drawing. “Buck, this is Chris’ family, the most important persons in his life… our family… your family.” Suddenly the water works opened and Buck started crying while mumbling “Eddie…I…” “Shhh, Buck, it’s okay, let it out,” Eddie assured him and took Buck between his arms and hold him there tight. Buck replied to the hug and hold onto Eddie for his dear life. They stayed there for a long time, and Buck didn’t know when he had last felt so loved.