Buddie: Partners in Fire

Chapter 44

Scene: Hospital Room, Afternoon

The hospital room was filled with the quiet hum of machines and the soft beeps of monitors. Buck was napping, his face peaceful despite the remnants of his injuries. Eddie sat in the chair beside his bed, keeping a watchful eye on him, his mind drifting between thoughts of Buck’s recovery and the many challenges they had faced.

A sudden knock on the door pulled Eddie from his thoughts. He stood up quietly, careful not to disturb Buck, and walked over to the door. As he opened it, his heart sank at the sight of Margaret and Philip Buckley standing in the hallway.

Eddie: "What are you doing here?"

Margaret: "We came to see our son. How is he?"

Eddie stepped out into the hallway, closing the door behind him to avoid waking Buck. His expression was hard, a protective edge in his voice.

Eddie: "You shouldn’t be here. Buck is finally getting better. I won’t let you ruin that."

Philip: "We’re his parents, Eddie. We have a right to see him."

Eddie’s jaw tightened, a mixture of anger and frustration building inside him.

Eddie: "You had your chance to be there for him, and you weren’t. You dared to tell him he was no longer your son when he told you we were going out together. Now, you show up out of nowhere? He doesn’t need this right now."

Margaret: "We just want to see him, to know that he’s okay. Please, Eddie."

Eddie shook his head, his stance firm.

Eddie: "No. He doesn’t want to see you. He’s been through enough without adding more stress."

Philip stepped forward, his voice rising slightly.

Philip: "We are his parents! We have a right to see our son!"

Eddie: "Not if it’s going to hurt him more. I won’t let you wake him up and upset him. I promised to protect him, that's why I'm asking you to leave."

Margaret: "Eddie, please. We’ve come all this way. Just let us see him for a moment."

Eddie: "I said no. Buck needs rest and peace, not another confrontation with you two."

As the tension mounted, Bobby arrived, sensing the confrontation from a distance. He approached quickly, his presence commanding attention.

Bobby: "What’s going on here?"

Margaret: "We came to see Evan, and Eddie won’t let us."

Bobby looked at Eddie, who nodded in confirmation. Bobby then turned his stern gaze towards Margaret and Philip.

Bobby: "Eddie is right. Buck has been making great progress, and the last thing he needs is more stress. If Eddie says it’s not a good time, then it’s not a good time."

Philip: "We are his parents. We deserve to see him!"

Bobby: "Being his parents doesn’t give you the right to disrupt his recovery. If Buck wanted to see you, Eddie would let you know. Right now, you need to leave."

Margaret: "We’re not leaving without seeing him!"

Eddie stepped in front of the door, his body language clear and unyielding.

Eddie: "You’re not getting past me. I won’t let you hurt him again."

Philip’s face reddened with frustration, but Bobby’s presence remained steady and unyielding.