Ind. Oscar "Butch" Bowers

“Don’t know what ya mean.” The words were cold as his eyes return to look at his son. “And I thought I said we don’t talk about her.” His chest pounds as a forced breath escapes, he’d put his belt back on in silence, his mind trailing to Henry’s words--the accuracy was a bitter truth.

“I ain’t avoidin’ you. I cant help my work schedule--and you don’t want to be here anyway. I bet if you had the chance to run off to her you would’ve.” Another huff as Butch runs a palm across his face. Butch never blamed his ex-wife for leaving, but it still ached--and truthfully if Henry took off Butch would understand why. He knew he was a horrible man.

“I’m doin’ my best to raise you--” A pause, “Things would’ve been easier if she stayed but she didn’t and that’s just what it is. I can’t change a damn thing about it. You wanna blame me for it? Go on ahead.”

Butch is silent--merely observing Henry. There’s a short singe as Henry claims to be stupid, Butch knew that it was his fault, and for once there is a visual change as he sits up, his eyes staring at the floor. Henry’s words only seemed like static to him--he wasn’t really listening to his son.

“You aren’t dumb.” Butch states again, his hand opening and closing as he rests his forearm on his knee, his eyes watching his hand, “Don’t say that about yourself. Just cause they tell you its important don’t mean it is. You are smart in your own ways.” He’d stand, walking around Henry to a liquor cabinet, a bottle of whiskey next to a glass. Butch would pour himself a drink--gulping it down soon after.

Butch knows Henry is right. That it was a dying dream--one he had failed so hard on. It doesn’t make it burn any less. Butch can only scoff at it, shaking his head. If there was ever a time to open up--it would be now...But Butch doesn't function like a NORMAL person, at least not with a belly full of beer.

Butch just takes another hard hit of his cigarette, his brain mulling over his sons words. As much as he acted like he didn’t--Butch understood where his son was coming from, he was in the same boat in school and because of it his father beat on him until graduation...but Butch didn’t want to approach the situation like that.

“You ain’t dumb, Henry.” Butch shifts again as he puts his cigarette out, his elbows meeting his knees as he stared at the failed test.  The elder male can feel his sons gaze on him, but he doesn’t direct attention back--He doesn't feel like he can look back because he blames himself for this.

Butch removes his glasses, carefully tucking them into his front chest pocket. It was now he gave Patrick his undivided attention, enough that he turns his body to face the brunette.

Butch offers a rather loud huff as he climbs out of his car, leaning against the door as he stares down Victor with squinted eyes. He had suspected two different reasons why the blonde was out past curfew. One being he was heading home, the other that he was meeting up with someone. At first he believes it to be Patrick or Belch--but even then Henry was almost always with them.

“Where you goin’ ?” It was more of a demand rather then a question, “And who else is gonna be there? Don’t lie to me son. I don’t wanna escort you home.”

“Are you tryin’?” Butch shifts, turning to stare at his son as he takes another sip from his beer. Visibly he was aggravated, but he wasn’t quite drunk enough to go off on Henry, rather...he was concerned in the simplest way.

“Patrick.” Was the curt response Butch responds whilst adjusting his aviators, only to have his hand return to resting on his belt, his eyes watching the other children leave the school,

“Not us, that’s for damn sure.” His tone was somewhat gruff as he shakes his head, “It’s a damn disgrace.” Butch takes a hit of the cigarette, dropping it into the ashtray as he stands up, walking to the kitchen to grab another beer--this time he grabs two. One for himself and one for Henry. As he sits he uses a bottle opener, handing the first beer to Henry, after that he opens his own and takes a sip before relaxing back into his chair.