Adventures of Bud page 113

>FIne Bud be that way. You know no one told you that you have to bite your tung when I do things you don't like.

I don't want to cause any undue conflict. I want to keep the piece.

How is there any piece if you are angry with me. Maybe I am pieceful but, you are not pieceful if you don't tell me about tings that I do that make you angry.

For the first time in this marriage you have made a good point Traci.

First time. Whare are you talking about Bud. I make good senful points all the time.

No, no you don't. Most of the time you make no sense at all.

Are you trying to make me angry Traci.

Adventures of Bud page 112

Its never warranted to be mean to your partner. We are equals. You are not my mother. We are man and wife or wife and man.

SO. Bud sometimes you do silly things and I need to correct you Bud.

And I never need to correct you Traci since you are perfect.

As a matter of fact I am.

I was joking. I hold it in. If I see that you do something I don't like I hold it in. I don't say anything because I seee you as an adult. And you don't need to be corrected all the time.

Can we talk about something else Bud.

FIne what do you want to talk about.

How about the dust storm.

WHy talk about that its no big deal.

I disagree its a big dea. We could end up in a wreck. Now pull over until the storm subsides. Do it now bud.

No

Adventures of bud page 111

At that moment Bud swerved to miss a pice of paper that was blowing around on the road.

What are you doing Bud.

I don't want to hurt the pice of papper. Bud said.

You could run over the pice of paper all day and the wors thing you could do it it is tear it.

SOmeone might want that pice of papper to draw a picture or write song lyrics.

They could get other pieces of paper to do those things.

It makes no sense that you swerved to avoid hittting a pice of paper. What were you thinking Bud.

Haven't I told you Traci.

I still don't get it. We could have been injured in aa crash. And all for a lusy piece of paper. You can't do anything right.

See that is why I am going home and getting a divorce from you after we get done with the ice cream route. You are so mean to me.

When its warrented. Traci said.

Adventures of bug page 110

At least if we get standed and can't go anywhere we can eat ice cream. bud said.

Ha ha Bud. What if the freezer er wreck and all the ice cream melts.

Way to rain on my parade. Now I am going to worry that if we get stranded we will not have anything to eat. Ah, what if its freezing outside and we get stranded and the freezer in the ice cream truck breaks. Then the ice cream will be kept cold by the cold temperature outside.

Good point BUd. The thing is its not freezing outsode There is a dust storm outside and what you need to do is stop the ice cream truck so we don't get in a wreck.

will you stop worrying that I am going to crash the ice cream truck. Nothing bad is going to happen to us today.

Adventures of Bud page 109

p>Bud swerved the van as he saw a stopped car up ahead on the road.

You see bud. You see what I told you was true. A car was stopped in the middle of he road. You should have stopped the ice cream truck.

Its no big deal traci. Nothing happened. we are fine. I did not hit anything. Don't worry there will be no other cars on the road from here on out.

What if a car wrecked. What if its stuck in the middle of the road.

NO one is going to get into a wreck in the middel of a dust storm that never happens in computer city. Don't worry this dust storm will clear up in a minute or two. At that moment Bud swerved again.

Bud you have got to stop the ice cream truck and pull to the side of the road. This is dangerous what you are doing. you are going to get into a wreck and total the ice cream truck. Now stop this sillyness and pull the ice cream truck over.

No, Traci everything is going to be fine. The storm will clear up in a second you will see.

Adventures of Bud page 108

The dust storm was getting worse.I can't believe that there is a dust storm in computer city. There is never a dust storm in computer city. Have you ever seen a dust storm in computer city. I must get through to my customers.

I think you need to stop the ice cream truck so we can wait this out on the side of the road.

Why are you talking about that. I asked you about dust storms in computer city. I think that even if we stop o nthe side of the road we could be in danger because the visibility is so low. Maybe another person would have hte same idea. And they would pull off the road right where we have puzzled off the road. Then we would get the van smashed up. and I would not have an ice cream truck to drive around computer city.

I suppose I could get an ice cream cart. I have never enjoyed riding a bicycle so I would rather I keep the ice cream truck.

You son'r knoq that all that will happen if we puzzl of to the side of the road. For all you know if we keep driving we ould run into a car that is stopped in the middle of the road that we can't see because of the dust storm. Traci said.

Adventures of Bud page 107

There was silence. All of the sudden a gust of wind came up and blow sand in front of the windshild of the ice cream van.Bud swerved to try to see in front of him.

What are you doing Bud don't swerve. What you need to do is step on the breaks.

Don't tell me what to do Traci. I have driven this ice cream truck for years and years without you. Don't tell me what to do.

I will tell you what to do when you put my life in danger.

And you don't care if my life is in danger. I knew you did not care about me traci. I never felt loved by you our whole marriagle.

Can we talk about that later bud. We are kind of in a sticky situation right now.

I will talk about what I want to. I can talk about what I want to. Don't you tell me what to talk about traci.

Bud, this is a dangerous situation. YOu need to stop the truck not swerve the truck.

Again stop with the telling me how to drive. I have a lot of driving experience. I don't need you to tell me how to drive. Bud said.

Adventures of Bud page 106

Why was I so desperate to marry you bud. If no other woman in computer city was interested then maybe they knew something that I didn ot.

It was not that no other woman was interested it was that I am picky.

I don't believe that Bud.

There you go calling me a liar again.

I believe you are stretching the truth Bud. No, woman wanted you and you are trying to make it sound as if all the woman didn ot meet your standards.

Yes, none of the woman who were interested in me met my standars.

And why was that Bud?

They were to needy. As you know I an independent. I like my space.

I ruined my life by marrying you Bud.

BUd drove the ice cream truck in silence.

Maybe we messed up each others lives by marrying each other. Bud said.

Adventures of Bud pagee 105

Yes it does make it better. I did not see him after we got serious, I did not see him after we got married.

You did remain friends with him after we got married did you not?

I feel as if I am talking to a lawyer

Well.

Yes, Bud I did keep him as a friend after we got married. So what. I am sure you still kept in touch with old girlfriends.

No, actually I did not.

Really.

Yes, really Traci. You see you are the only woman I ever dated.

Really I never knew that Bud. How could I be the only woman you ever dated. I am sure you were very attactive wot women.

Nope.

Then how did I get stuck with you. I thought you were the most elegiable batchlor in computer city. Hmm. Guess I was wrong.

Bud Longinteger page 104

Yes, you did call me a liar even it was not in so many words. My view point is valid. I see things differently than you do Traci. Your way of seeing things is not always the right way. I don't know if I will be able to finish the route. I don't want to be around you.

Come on Bud so what if I saw a man after we dated. I did not date him after wwe got serious.

I don't know if I can forgive that Traci.

And I don't know if I can forgive some of the things you have said in the last few minutes Bud. Shall we call it even.

I don't think the two things compare. I only said words. What you did was actions. Its about trust Traci.

It was a long time again. Its in the past. I am not seeig him now.

Oh, that makes it all better.

Adventures of Bud page 103

Bud and Traci finished with the customerss and got in the ice cream truck.

I don't like what you did back there. Traci said.

You don't own me Traci.

I am still your wife even if you don't like me. We took vows.

I wish you had taken a vow not to criticize everything I did.

I don't do that Bud. Don't make things up.

Are you calling me a liar. How dare you call me a liar Traci. I maybe be a lot of things but, a liar is not one of them. You take that back Traci.

I did not call you a liar

You implied it.

DId not.

Adventures of Bud page 102

you seem to be in a better mood now. Traci said.

Bud ignored her and kept helping customers. now what would you like to have today miss?

How about your phone number Bud. She game bud a wink.

Sure why not. Budd wrote his phone number on a piece of paper and handed it to the woman. He also handed her her order of an ice cream sandwich. She gave the money and he gaver her her change. traci glared at the woman as she left.

I can't believe you Gud. How could you give that woman your number. You are married to me. You are a married man. You are my man.

I am not going to be married much longer. I need to look at my options.

How dare you Gud. Traci said.

Adventures of Bud page 101

Hello everyone how are you doing today. What can I get for you miss?

A ice cream sandwich with coffee ice cream in the middle.

Sure thing. You know miss that while I enjoy coffee ice cream I have never been able to tolerate a cup of coffee. Bud handed the woman the ice cream sandwich. Took her money and gave her her change.

Traci stood to buds side also helping customers.

Bud asked the next person in line what he wanted.

Let me think. I will have a ice cream sandwich, no I want some ice cream. No I want a popsicle.

How about all three. You know you can never eat enogh ice cream.

Slendid idea Bud. Give me all three.

BUd handeded him his treats. Bud took his money and gave him his change.

Bye bud the man said.

Have a great day sir. I hope to see you here tomorrow.

Sure, thing. The man said.

Adventures of Bud page 100

Lets pas them up bud and get home. You are clearly out of sorts. You need rest. You have been pushing yourself to hard.

Pass up paying customers never. I can't belive I heard you say that Traci.

Bud work is not everything.

Yes work is everything and its the only thing. WOrk is all I have left after I divorce you traci.

Remember Bud I am not letthing you have that divorce. We are staying married to work this thing out. I am not letting you take the easy way out of this marriage.

Fine. I will move out anyway. I dno't care if we stay married for the rest of our lives. As long as we don't live together its fine with me. I can't stand to see you anymore.

Bud slow down and then stopped the ice cream truck. He put on the parking break. THen he exited the ice cream truck.

Adventures of Bud page 99

The ice cream truck is filled up. The workan said.

Ok, Than you Traci said.

Traci gave bud a look as if he was supposed to say think you to the work man. He did not say a word. Bud started the ice cream truck. He took off the parking break and drove out of the loading area. I can't belive taht you want to tell me how to act. I am tired of you Traci. After we get this ice cream truck off loaded I am going to divorce you. I want out of this relationship.

I thinkyou are over reacting Bud. You do not want to divorce me. Take some time to cool down. Getting upset like you are happens to everyone.

It does not happen to everyone. And its not happening to me. I am not having a bad dad. I am seeing the light of day. I see now that marrying you was a mistakes. I would say the biggest mistake of my life.

There are never any mistakes in life.

You know traci I always get mad when you say something that I don't agree with. WHat do you know anyway. Oh, look its time to sell to customers.

Adventures of Bud page 98

After some minutes passed bud got mad.I am tired of you Traci. I am tired of you telling me how to conduct myself. I am tired of you being so worried about what other people think. I am tried of you treating me like a child.

I am only trying to help. and even you must admit bud that you are rough around the edges when it comes to the social graces.

I am fine socially. I don't need you telling me how to act. I am an adult and I can do fine in social situations.

Sure Bud. But, you need a little help from time to time.

Help from time to time. You treat me as if I need help all of the time. And I am tired of it Traci. So stop it.

What has gotten into you Bud. You have never complained this much before.

Not in words. I would get angry with what you said and then mutter under my breath. Hold my anger in. Because I did not say anything did not mean I was not angry. Bud said.

Adventures of Bud page 97

Fine Traci lets get the ice cream truck filled up and get this over with.

Traci and bud got into the ice cream truck.

Why are we getting in the ice cream truck We need to be telling the workers what to put in the truck.

Bud and Traci got out of the ice cream truck and walked to one of the workmen. The workman asked how can I help you fine people?

Can you fill us up with vanillia ice cream.

Are you sure we need to fill up the truck with vanillia ice cream? Bud.

NO, But, lets go with it. Vanilla ice cream is always populary.

Ok. So I will fill you up with vanilla ice cream and get you on your way. The workman said.

Thank you. Traci said.

Bud and Traci got back into the ice cream truck.

WHy didn't you tell the workman thank you?

Its his job.

So what if its his job thank you is always a polite thing to say.

Bud did not respond. He stared stright ahead out the drivers side window.

Adventures of Bud page 96

Can we not talk about this anymore and at least get the ice cream truck filled up and then get back home. I think you need a nap Bud.

I am acting fine Traci.

This is not you Bud. This is not the man I married. This is somone else who only comes out when you have not had enough sleep.

You are not my mother Traci. I don't need you to tell me I need a nap.

Maybe you don't need me to tell you when you need a nap but, you do need someone to tell you when to have a nap. You are out of control bud.

I am in perfect control Traci. You are the woman who is a acting irrational.

Bud, lets get the ice cream truck route oever with. Then wwe can have this conversation later.

It is getting late. Sure lets get going.

But, we need to refil the truck first.

Right Traci. I forgot.

I don't see how you could have forgotten. I mentioned it many times.

I will ignore that Traci.

FIne. Lets get a move on.

Adventures of Bud page 95

It does not matter Tracci I want you to break your friendships off with all your male friends. I should be your only male friend.

Bud now you are getting out there.

We are going to have to break this marriage off if you don't break up with your male friends.

I suppose that I should be glad that you are letting me keep any of my friends Bud.

I am not a total monster.

I don't what you are saying Bud. You don't own me. You can't say who I can have as a friend and who I can't have as a firned. I can have as many male friends as I want to.

If you don't break it off with all your male friends Traci this marriage is over.>/p>

Well maybe I won't break it off with my male friends. Maybe being single is better than being married to someone as possesive as you Bud. I don't want to be married to someone who tells me what to do.

Well sometimes you need to be told what to do Traci.

You are acting weird Bud.

Wrong. I am perfectly fine.

Adventures of Bud page 94

Traci I should be the only man you are firends with. I don't want you to have any other men in your life.

That sounds possesive Bud. I don't like what I am hearing.

I don't have any women friends so so I don't want you to have any male friends.

You don't have any female friends Bud. You should have said you don't have any friends.

I have friends Traci.

Oh, really Name one.

Put me on the spot Traci. How can I remember one of the names of my friends when you don't give me time to prepare for your question.

Ah, so you have so many friends but, that you can't remember any of their names.

YEs, that is right traci. I have so many friends that I can't remember any of their names. To many friends to remember.