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It is early morning. Christopher and Eddie are still on Texas time, so they are up two hours earlier than usual. They are seated across from each other at the dining room table. Christopher is quietly shifting the cereal around his bowl with a spoon while Eddie sips coffee. Soft morning light filters through the dining room curtains and gently illuminates Christopher’s face, which is deep in thought.
“Buck still asleep?” Christopher asks.
Eddie takes a slow sip of his coffee and nods. Christopher rests the spoon against the edge of the bowl and looks up at his Dad.
“When we were in Texas, you promised to talk to me. You promised to tell me things,” Christopher states.
Eddie nods and swallows as his mouth goes dry. “I did. I will. Is there something you want to know?” Eddie asks and then waits as his mind runs through every possible scenario. Thoughts about Bobby, Kim, Shannon, El Paso, and his parents start racing his mind.
“Are you really going to take the job with Houston Fire?” Christopher questions.
“Yes, I can’t be an Uber driver forever,” Eddie tells him.
“Hmmm,” Christopher replies, followed by a long, worried look.
“What’s wrong, Christopher? What is it?” Eddie presses.
“What if I hate El Paso? What if I am not happy? What if I hate chess? What if I hate my school? What if Grandma stresses me out? What if what I want is to be home in L.A. again?” Christopher blurts out.
“How long have you felt this way?” Eddie asks.
Christopher looks down at his now mushy cereal and lets out a massive sigh before replying in almost a whisper: “Since before you moved.”
“Are you sure? You really want to come home,” Eddie asks gently.
“I’m sure, Dad. I want to come home.” Christopher answers.
“Then I won’t take the job, and we will come home,” Eddie says as he reaches out and squeezes Christopher’s hand.
Christopher still looks nervous. Eddie's brow furrows in confusion as he looks at his son.
“Is there something else?” Eddie asks, anxiety rising in his chest again.
Christopher takes a deep breath before asking: “Are you in love with Buck?”
Eddie’s breath hitches as he thinks for a long second before answering: “Would that be so crazy?”
“No,” Christopher answers.
“No?” Eddie questions.
“No,” Christopher declares.
Eddie nods. The house becomes quiet. Christopher waits patiently for a real answer from Eddie. Finally, Eddie replies: “Yes, I think I am”.
Everything is still for a long moment before Christopher speaks again: “When we move back home, you should do something about that. He makes you happy, Dad.” Eddie sighs, gathering his thoughts to say something, but stops when he hears Buck’s bedroom door open, and sees Buck makes his way towards them.
“Need a new bowl of cereal?” Eddie asks as he gets up, grabs Christopher’s bowl, and walks to the kitchen to throw out the now soggy cereal.
“Thanks, Dad!” Christopher replies as Buck slowly emerges from his room, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
Buck greets Christopher with a cheerful “Good Morning!” and a smile and sits down. Moments later, Eddie returns with a new bowl of cereal for Christopher and a cup of coffee for Buck.
Buck smiles at Eddie. Eddie smiles at Buck. Christopher smiles at the both of them.