MUD-BUD and Me

Mom always told me that the other kids wouldn't hang out with me because I was too smart for them. But way deep down inside I knew the real reason. It was because of my large, lopsided head, albino-white skin, vestigial tail and crazy buck teeth. Needless to say, I spent most of my childhood years alone and friendless. I was the saddest, loneliest boy in the whole wide world. But that all changed the bright summer day I decided to make my own friend.
It took me a day and a half but from twist ties, chicken wire, mud, and an ample supply of peat moss I made the bestest friend a kid could ever have! A friend who would never punch me in the head, yank my tail or call me "Squirrel Boy". A friend who would always be loyal and true. A friend I named "MUD-BUD"!!
That entire summer me and MUD-BUD were inseparable. Although he never talked or moved all that much, we still had tons of fun. We played catch, flew my kite, went fishing at the creek, opened a lemonade stand, chased butterflies, built a tree-house, and baked kitten head pies from the kittens snared in our traps. You know, kid stuff. With MUD-BUD by my side, it was my best summer ever!
But everything changed the day of the storm.
For some reason, no matter how much I begged, no matter how much I pleaded, Mom would never allow MUD-BUD in the house. "But Mom! MUD-BUD will be scared of the thunder outside. He might get chilled from the rain and catch a cold!" I tried every excuse I could think of, but it was no use. Mom wouldn't budge.
I left MUD-BUD there in the yard and, with tear streaked eyes, watched from my bedroom window as the clouds rolled in and the rain began to pour. And how it rained that day!! Lord how it rained!! I thought it never would end... but eventually... end it did.
But when I ran out onto the lawn to reunite with my best and truest friend, MUD-BUD wasn't there. In his place was just a pile of twist ties, chicken wire and a soggy pile of mud. I can honestly say that, aside from the day they cancelled "Walker: Texas Ranger", it was the worst day of my life.
Years passed and I never knew what became of MUD-BUD. Where he went that stormy day. What he's been up to since that distant, hazy summer. Then yesterday, I get a post card in the mail. And who do you think it was from?!!
Turns out MUD-BUD is now, get this, the supervisor of a sanitation's plant in Escondio, CA. He's happily married to a female mud wrestler and together they have three filthy kids with one more on the way! Here's to you MUD-BUD!! I always knew you'd make something of your life!