Disclaimer: I own nothing. Baha. In fact, I don't really even own
Two-Bit's dad, do I?

Meet Mr. Matthews
Chapter Two

Kathy Matthews, just having arrived home from a long day at work, was not prepared for what she would find once she slipped the key into the lock, turned it, and opened the door with a turn of the handle and one small shove. But as soon as the door opened, and the couch was in full view, the keys fell from her hands and her mouth opened in complete shock. There, sitting on the couch, her couch, was the very man that had ran out on her and the family years ago. I guess you could say she wasn't that happy.

As Two-Bit looked up from the couch, the first thing she noticed was a bottle of beer in his hands. The second thing she noticed was that his father, George, had one in his own hand as well. Instantly, Kathy knew what he had done. He had bought himself, and thei- her son beer. Beer. Her son that wasn't even of legal drinking age yet.

"Sorry George," she said coldly. "Keith isn't nineteen yet. But you wouldn't know that, would you? I bet you don't even remember the day of his birthday, do you?"

At that moment, Karen, her fifteen year old daughter, walked out of the kitchen, thankfully not holding a beer of her own. Kathy sighed in relief. At least he wasn't giving her alcohol. But really, what did he think he was doing? He hadn't been around for years and now suddenly he just decided to come back into their lives? Well, she wasn't going to let him. Not without a fight. But he didn't seem to want to fight. Once her cruel words had been spoken, he just shrugged.

"He's eighteen, Kathy. Just one year under the drinking age. What's the big deal?"

Two-Bit, sensing his mother's anger, set his bottle down on the table. "Nah, it's alright... er... nevermind. It's alright. She's right."

His mother seemed proud of him, as she gave him a small smile. But that small speck of happiness was soon gone once George spoke again. She really wished she didn't have to hear his voice. But it wasn't his voice that was making her so angry and unhappy, it was his words. His words were what really ticked her off.

"Hey Keith, call me dad."

Kathy's fists clenched tighter, and her fingernails began to dig into her palms. Dad? Dad? When had he ever acted like a dad to Two-Bit? He hadn't even been around for years. Two-Bit probably hardly even remembered him. After all, he'd only been three when George had walked out on the family. Karen didn't even know him at all, considering the fact that she wasn't even born yet. Kathy did not understand how he could live with himself. If he cared about getting to know them he would've stayed, or at least kept in contact with them. He did neither of those things.

Two-Bit glanced nervously at his mom, but she just sighed in frustration and buisied herself with picking the keys up from the floor. He had no choice but to accept. After all, he didn't want to hurt anybody's feelings.

"Sure... er... dad."

Kathy made a small noise in the back of her throat, and hurried urgently into the kitchen.

"Mom?" Karen exclaimed, almost sure she heard a sob escape from her lips. She made to go into the kitchen, but George had other plans. He placed a hand upon her shoulder and shook his head. And then, without another word, he headed into the kitchen himself.

"GET OUT!" they could hear their mother screaming. "GET OUT! OUT OF THIS KITCHEN! OUT OF THIS HOUSE! LEAVE! IT'S WHAT YOU'RE GOOD AT, GEORGE! GET. OUT." This was followed by their father's voice, although they couldn't hear him clearly, since he wasn't yelling like Kathy was. She really wasn't keeping her cool, and Two-Bit and Karen couldn't understand why she was so angry.

They exchanged confused glances, and Two-Bit shrugged.

"Adults are weird."

However, Karen wasn't satisfied with this answer. Instead, she took a seat on the couch beside her older brother and placed her head on his shoulder. The tears that were welling up in her eyes made him aware that they were about to have a very heart-felt conversation.

"Two-Bit, why'd he leave? Before I was even born? Did he just not want to know me? And why is mom so upset? And... why is he suddenly back? I mean, why the sudden change of heart?"

Two-Bit sighed, placing his head on top of hers. "Aw Kare, I'm sure he wanted to know you. Some things just happen... y'know?"

Karen, now getting frustrated, sat up, wiping the tears from her eyes. "But Two-Bit, why is he back?"

"I don't know Kare," he sighed. "I really don't know."

And he really didn't.