sixwordstories | (no subject)

*deep breath*

Yeah. I hit him. He said some things and I said some things and it just got out of hand. I'm sorry.

I thought you weren't going to fight with people anymore.

*He doesn't know what to say.*

You hit him for no reason? Not to say there was no reason at all, but with no viable reason.

No. I mean...

*sighs again*

We were both in each other's faces, Tayler. We both said things. It got ugly. I lost my temper and I hit him. It was wrong, no matter what he said, and I'm sorry.

*He's quiet for a long time.*

Alright.

*bites his lip*

What are you thinking right now?

I think that it was wrong to hit him. I also think that I still don't understand why you two fought. I mean like actually fought. I don't know Anson. This is a bad.

*nods*

You're right. I was wrong to hit him. I made a mistake, Tayler. I wish I could change that, but I can't. All I can do is tell you that I'm sorry, and that it won't happen again.

As for why we fought...well, you know we don't get along. There's a lot we don't agree on. I'm not gonna lie to you. Some of it was about you. And there were other things, too. Things that are between me and him.

*sighs*

Look, Tayler...I'm not trying to make excuses for what I did. There is no excuse for losing my temper and getting into a fight. And I'm not gonna stand here and bad-mouth your dad to you. It happened, and I regret it, partly because I broke a promise and I let a lot of people down, but mostly because I know it hurts you, and that's something I never wanted to do.

I just hope you'll forgive me.

Tayler is staring off in another direction, but it isn't because he's not paying attention. He is, in fact, taking in every word.

He waits for a moment before speaking, choosing his words carefully.

"I believe that you're sorry. And losing your temper doesn't make you a bad person. You also know that it's a mistake."

After another minute. "I did figure that it was my fault." A shrug. "I forgive you."

Tayler is actually a little surprised that Anson cares.

Anson looks at Tayler, shocked.

"Oh, Tayler. No. Don't say that."

He takes the boy by the shoulders, looking him in the eye.

"Now you listen to me. This is not your fault. Josh and I argued about things concerning you, but it's nothing you did. Are you listening to me?" He squeezes Tayler's shoulder gently. "Please don't think you're to blame for anything. It was our fault, his and mine. You didn't do anything wrong."

Tayler shrugs one shoulder under Anson's grip. He doesn't really believe the man, but he knows that Anson is only trying to make him feel better and so he forces a half smile.

"Alright."

Anson doesn't buy that smile for a minute.

"I mean it, Tayler. Please don't blame yourself." He pulls him into a quick hug, then lets him go. "Sometimes adults do dumb things. Josh and me, we don't need any help in that department." He smiles a little. "We were both acting stupid. It wasn't your fault."

The boy attempts another hug, but doesn't get far before being pulled into the hug.

"The two of you wouldn't dislike eachother if not for me, and even if you did, our friendship is a cause of the animosity that exists."

Anson shakes his head.

"People disagree. Maybe he likes hot weather and I like cold. Does that make it the weather's fault? There's some stuff we're never gonna agree on, and yeah, some of it has to do with you. But that does not make it your fault." He sighs. "We're grown men, and we should be able to either settle our differences without fighting or just learn to stay the hell away from each other. That's our fault, Tayler, and our responsibility, not yours."

He not convinced, but probably will never be. In the end, Tayler just nods.

"Alright."