Evan Buckley

Chapter 12: Surprise

Chapter 12: Surprise

Today was a significant day for Buck—he was officially reinstated for work after his accident. The anticipation had been building for weeks, and despite the familiar routine he'd followed countless times, today felt different. His leg still throbbed with a dull ache, a constant reminder of the incident, but Buck kept his discomfort to himself. He was determined to prove he could handle the demands of the job and was eager to get back into the swing of things.

Even though the pain made him limp slightly, it didn't hinder his performance as much as he feared. In fact, during practice at the baby doll factory, he surprised himself by setting a new record. The exhilaration of that achievement briefly overshadowed the discomfort, filling him with a sense of accomplishment and hope.

However, despite his reinstatement, Buck faced an additional hurdle: he wouldn't be starting work for another two days. He had hoped to jump right back in after completing his training, but Cap had insisted on a brief waiting period. Buck understood the reasoning behind it—safety and protocol—but he couldn't shake the frustration of having to wait.

The months Buck spent sidelined from work were nothing short of hellish. It was like being given endless days off, but they felt more suffocating and stretched out longer than he could bear. Restricted in movement, he found himself confined to the couch for days on end, the once-comfortable piece of furniture now feeling like a prison. Sitting in chairs was a slight change of scenery, but even that became monotonous. Occasionally, when the ache in his leg became too much to bear, he would muster the energy to move to the bed, hoping that the change in position would bring some relief. But most days, he was trapped in a haze of frustration and boredom, each hour dragging on interminably.

The stillness of his home was maddening, amplifying the loneliness that crept in around the edges of his mind. He was desperate for activity and purpose, feeling like a ghost of his former self. Just when he thought he might lose his mind completely, Eddie would come by to visit. He would show up with snacks, a new movie, or just to chat about anything and everything. Eddie had an uncanny ability to lighten the mood, engaging Buck in lighthearted banter that pulled him back from the brink of despair. Their conversations would sometimes drift to silly topics or old inside jokes, reminding Buck of the camaraderie they shared at work.

Buck could sense the weight of guilt pressing down on Eddie. It was an unspoken tension that lingered in the air, hanging between them like an unwelcome guest. Buck knew that Eddie was visiting out of a deep-seated sense of obligation, believing he was somehow responsible for what had happened during the accident. Despite Buck's reassurances—repeated countless times, at least a hundred—that it wasn't Eddie's fault, that it was just a tragic turn of events beyond anyone's control, his friend still carried the burden of guilt like a heavy cloak. Each visit was tinged with this complexity, where Buck could see the flicker of concern in Eddie's eyes and hear the hesitance in his voice. He would often catch Eddie stealing worried glances, as if searching for signs of recovery, or waiting for Buck to voice the fears he kept buried. No amount of reassurance seemed to ease Eddie's mind, and Buck felt a pang of guilt himself, wishing he could take away his friend's anguish. They were both trapped in a web of emotions—Eddie in his guilt and Buck in his frustration.

—
Right after Buck got reinstated, he couldn't contain his excitement. He headed straight to Eddie's house, practically bouncing with joy. Each step felt lighter, almost buoyant, as he approached the familiar front door. He knocked with a mix of eagerness and anticipation, his heart racing at the thought of sharing the good news. When Eddie opened the door, confusion washed over his face, clearly indicating he hadn't been expecting anyone.

"I passed!" Buck exclaimed, pushing past Eddie and stepping into the house without a second thought. It might have come off as rude under different circumstances, but their friendship had long since crossed the boundaries of typical politeness. They were family in their own way, so Buck felt completely at home.