(The morning after the prank)
Thurston: *getting his train ready for the day*
Buddy: *walks up to him* Mr. Thurston? Are you okay?
Thurston: Oh, good morning Buddy. I’m doing a lot better compared to yesterday. How are you?
Buddy: I’m okay… I came here because I really want to say that I’m very sorry for what Tiny did yesterday. I should’ve stopped her, is there anything I can do to help make it up to you?
Thurston: *looks confused and even concerned* Uhm.. I don’t know why you’re apologizing for her, and wanting to make it up to me is not necessary
Buddy: What?! But she- she- she wrecked your passenger coach! With glitter!!
Thurston: Buddy. It’s not your responsibility to apologize for Tiny’s actions or to keep her out of trouble! She’s your sister, not your daughter
Buddy: But I should’ve stopped her!!
Thurston: *looks shocked, then frowns* …
Buddy: *notices, and looks down slightly* …
Thurston: *relaxes slightly, but deciding to sound a little more firm* Buddy, please listen to me very carefully. I am not going to accept this apology because Tiny should be the one apologizing to me for the prank, not you. You had nothing to do with it, and it feels wrong to accept an apology from someone who had nothing to do with the situation.
Thurston: I’m sorry, but Tiny needs to start taking responsibility and apologizing for her own misbehaviour, not have you, or any of your siblings or friends to do it for her.
Buddy: *trying to not cry* Okay…
Thurston: *more calm* Buddy, the other reason I don’t want to accept your apology is that I feel like you’re apologizing for taking time for yourself, and that’s also wrong. You’re entitled to have the freedom of having time to yourself; to be involved with hobbies and friends, and not having to deal with things that cause you a lot of stress
Buddy: *trying to understand, but also not wanting to accept it* …
Thurston: I’m sorry, as much as you might want to continue to talk, I need to get back to work, I don’t want to get behind schedule again…
(Thurston goes back to work, and Buddy walks away, looking quite upset, and Trevor walks up to him)
Trevor: What’s wrong, Buddy?
Buddy: Thurston wouldn’t accept my apology…
Trevor: What were you apologizing for?
Buddy: I was apologizing for what Tiny did yesterday… with the glitter bomb prank in his passenger coach, but he said that he can’t accept it because it doesn’t feel right!
Trevor: *frowns* I’m sorry Buddy, but if he feels that it’s wrong to accept your apology, then you’re just going to have to deal with it. Why were you apologizing for it? Did you know about it beforehand but chose not to warn him, or had a hand in the prank itself?
Buddy: No! But, I feel like I should’ve stopped her! Instead I spent the day doing other things, and not keeping her out of trouble…
Trevor: Hm… sorry if I sound harsh, but you’re allowed to do your own thing, it’s not your responsibility to keep your sister out of trouble, or to bail her out, she needs to start doing that on her own
Trevor: *knows that Buddy doesn’t believe him* Just… take some time to think about it
Buddy: Hmph *walks away* …
