Buddie: Partners in Fire

Chapter 37

Scene: Eddie's Apartment, Early Evening

Eddie entered his apartment, the familiar surroundings offering little comfort against the overwhelming sense of exhaustion and dread that had settled over him. It was the first time in days he had been home, and the weight of the situation pressed down on him, making each step feel like an insurmountable effort. As he closed the door behind him, he leaned against it for a moment, taking a deep breath to steady himself. The effort did little to alleviate the tension in his muscles or the heaviness in his heart.

Carla was waiting for him, her expression filled with concern the moment she saw him. The bags under Eddie's eyes, the slumped shoulders, and the defeated look on his face spoke volumes about the toll the past days had taken on him.

Carla: "Eddie, you look exhausted. How’s Buck?"

Eddie’s voice was barely above a whisper, strained and raw from lack of sleep and too many tears.

Eddie: "He’s... stable for now. They’re keeping a close watch on him."

Carla nodded, understanding the unspoken fears in Eddie’s eyes. She gently touched his arm, offering silent support.

Carla: "Why don’t you sit down for a bit? I can make you something to eat."

Eddie shook his head, the thought of food turning his stomach. His voice broke slightly as he spoke.

Eddie: "I’m not hungry, Carla. I just need to see Chris."

Carla sighed, knowing better than to push him further. She gave him a compassionate look and gestured towards Christopher’s room.

Carla: "He’s in his room. He’s been asking about you... And Buck."

Eddie took a deep breath and made his way to Christopher’s room. Each step felt heavier than the last, the emotional toll of the past days weighing him down. When he reached the door, he paused for a moment, trying to compose himself before entering. He pushed the door open and found Christopher playing quietly with his toys. The boy looked up, his eyes lighting up when he saw his father.

Christopher: "Dad! You’re home!"

Eddie forced a smile, trying to keep his emotions in check. He walked over and sat down on the edge of Chris’s bed, pulling him into a gentle hug. The simple act of holding his son brought a fleeting sense of peace.

Eddie: "Hey, buddy. I missed you."

Christopher sensed something was wrong and pulled back to look at Eddie, his young eyes full of concern.

Christopher: "Where’s Buck? Why are you sad, Dad?"

Eddie’s heart ached at his son’s innocent questions. He took another deep breath, trying to find the right words to explain the situation without scaring him.

Eddie: "Chris, Buck got hurt at work. He’s in the hospital right now, and the doctors are taking care of him. He’s going to be okay, but he needs a lot of rest and help from the doctors."

Christopher’s eyes widened with worry, tears beginning to form.

Christopher: "Can I see him? Can I help?"

Eddie’s voice was gentle but firm, trying to reassure his son while managing his own fears.

Eddie: "No, not right now, mijo. The doctors need to make sure he gets better first. But we can visit him when he’s feeling a little stronger, okay?"

Christopher nodded, tears spilling over as he hugged his dad tightly. The embrace felt like a lifeline to Eddie, anchoring him in the present moment.

Christopher: "I love Buck. I want him to be okay."

Eddie’s own tears threatened to spill over as he hugged his son back, his voice cracking with emotion.

Eddie: "I know, Chris. I love him too. He’s going to be okay."

After a few moments, Carla entered the room, her expression soft and understanding. She had been listening from the hallway, giving them a moment of privacy.

Carla: "Eddie, why don’t you try to get some rest? I’ll stay here with Chris."

Eddie hesitated, looking between Carla and Christopher. He knew he needed to take care of himself to be strong for both Buck and Chris, but the idea of leaving his son and not being by Buck’s side filled him with anxiety.

Eddie: "Okay. Thank you, Carla."

He kissed Christopher on the forehead and stood up, giving Carla a grateful nod. She guided him towards his bedroom, her concern palpable.

Carla: "Try to get some sleep, Eddie. You need it."

Eddie nodded, though he doubted he could find any real rest. He entered his bedroom and lay down on the bed, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on him even more heavily. The silence of the room only amplified his fears and worries, each tick of the clock a reminder of the time passing without Buck’s recovery.

He tried to close his eyes and sleep, but images of Buck in the hospital bed, injured and vulnerable, kept flashing through his mind. His body shook with silent sobs as he cried, the pain and fear overwhelming him. He buried his face in his pillow, the fabric muffling his cries. The exhaustion of the past few days crashed over him, and despite his best efforts, he couldn't find any peace.

Hours passed in a blur of grief and exhaustion. He would drift into a fitful doze, only to be jolted awake by nightmares of Buck's accident. In the dreams, he relived the harrowing moments leading up to the explosion, the sound of the blast echoing in his mind. He saw Buck trapped, flames licking at his skin, his face contorted in pain and fear. Eddie reached out in the dream, trying desperately to save him, but he was always too late. The scene would shift, and he’d be in the hospital, staring at Buck’s lifeless body, the monitors flatlining, the room filled with the deafening silence of loss.

Eddie jerked awake, his heart racing, breath coming in shallow gasps. The oppressive darkness of his bedroom felt like it was closing in on him. He sat up, burying his face in his hands, trying to shake off the lingering terror of the nightmare. Tears streamed down his face as he thought about Buck lying in that hospital bed, fighting for his life. He cried silently for hours, the fear of losing Buck gnawing at his soul.

The quiet of the apartment was suffocating, amplifying his anguish. He felt utterly helpless, the pain of not being able to protect Buck cutting deep. Every creak of the apartment, every distant sound from outside, only heightened his anxiety. He lay back down, staring at the ceiling, the weight of his emotions pressing down on him like a physical burden. He clutched his pillow, wishing it were Buck’s hand, craving the comfort of his presence.