Not Leaving Anytime Soon

When senior Bucky Kessinger first met Tyler Rathbun, he couldn’t say his name right.

Those two pesky r’s were in the way. As a seventh grader, Bucky’s speech impediment kept him from pronouncing the letter. It made him nervous for the presentations that teachers assigned. But it didn’t keep Bucky from becoming best friends with Ty.

“In middle school, Ty was that guy who was always smiling, always making friends,” Bucky said. “And he was a good friend. He was the best friend you could have.”

The two spent their study halls together. Bucky would practice his r’s with printed out exercise pamphlets, Tyler repeating the words and encouraging him. Doing what bored and frustrated Bucky’s mom, the other friends in his grade. By the end of seventh grade, Bucky’s impediment was gone, and he and Ty were inseparable.

They lived on opposite sides of the Indian Hills boundaries. More than a fifteen minute drive. An impossible difference for two middle school boys who had years before they could drive. But they didn’t care. They forced their parents to take them to each others’ houses. They would spend long afternoons riding the one bike at Ty’s house, Bucky on the handlebars, Ty pedaling.

Ty became a permanent fixture in Bucky’s life. Hanging out at his house. Helping to coach Bucky’s little sister’s soccer team.

Bucky still won’t talk about Ty in the past tense. He is a great listener, a great guy. He is the one who keeps everyone smiling. He is an amazing friend.

Ty won’t leave Bucky’s life anytime soon.