Chapter 82
Later that weekend, I was having dinner at a fancy restaurant in downtown Los Angeles with Dad, Uncle Charlie, and Gradma.
Evelyn was studying the menu with that usual air of half-interest
She looked up from the menu and asked casually, "So, Jake, do you see anything you like?"
"Venison..." I murmured, intrigued. "Uncle Charlie, have you ever eaten a bambi?"
Charlie immediately started choking on his drink, glaring at me
"What?" I said, trying to look innocent. "I mean the venison."
Before Charlie could respond, Evelyn casually started placing items from the table into her purse.
"Mom, wha...? What are you doing?" Alan asked, eyes widening.
"Nothing," Evelyn replied without missing a beat.
"Oh, that's stealing," Alan said, voice a mix of disbelief and resignation.
"Hardly. I'm paying twelve dollars for a martini," Evelyn said, completely unfazed. "They're lucky I don't take a chair."
"You're paying?" Charlie asked, eyebrows raised.
"Figure of speech, Charles," Evelyn replied with a big smile.
I just shook my head.
Grandma could be as cheap as Dad sometimes. Taking little things—like hotel soap and shampoo—was hard to understand.
We are multimillionaires...
"And listen who's talking about me with the moral high ground, Mr. Five-Finger Discount," Evelyn added, shooting Alan a look.
"What does that mean?" I asked, confused.
"It doesn't mean anything," Dad replied quickly, waving me off.
"Alan, there's no reason your son can't learn from your mistakes," Evelyn added, casually sipping her drink.
"I didn't make a mistake, Mom," Dad said, clearly annoyed.
"Unbelievable," Gradma muttered. "Twenty-five years later… and he still denies shoplifting"
I laughed a little.
"I didn't do it, Jake," Dad said quickly.
"I just laughed at the expression 'Five-Finger Discount'. I'm totally using that now." now that I understand the context
"And I didn't say you did it, Dad. Your Mom, on the other hand..."
"It was a misunderstanding," Dad muttered.
"Alan, please," Evelyn said, unimpressed.
"Walking around a toy store... with your brother... and the Silly Putty just jumped into your pocket?"
"Yes," Dad replied.
I glanced over at Uncle Charlie, who suddenly looked way too interested in the menu.
Suspicious.
But just then, the waiter arrived at our table.
"Okay, everybody ready to order?"
"I'll have the filet mignon," I said. "But can you add a piece of the venison on the side? I want to try it."
The waiter nodded. "There will be a small additional charge."
I simply nodded in return, not bothered.
The rest of the table gave their orders, and once the waiter stepped away, Evelyn shifted the conversation entirely.
"Congratulations, Jake. Soon you'll be one of the most popular singers in the country. I just don't understand why you need to wear that hideous costume..."
"I already told you, Gramma. I want some good years in high school..."
Yeah, the release had been a success. Already spreading fast in just these first days. Not unexpected, though. These were five of the biggest hits in electronic music, and the quality was absolutely on par with the originals.
Charlie raised his glass. "To our star."
We all followed, clinking our glasses together with proud smiles.
We had already celebrated on release day, but this moment felt just as special.
---
The next morning, I was in the kitchen having breakfast with Dad. He was reading the newspaper, sipping his usual black coffee, while I worked on a plate of eggs and toast.
I've tried some fancy breakfast foods from time to time, but there are still some things you eat no matter how rich you are. Scrambled eggs on toast is one of those for me
Charlie walked in a minute later, moving like every step was a punishment.
"Good morning," he muttered.
"Morning," I replied. "Why are you walking like that?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I spent the night in the bathroom," Charlie grumbled.
Dad lowered his paper. "Tell Jake what you told me last night."
Charlie sighed. "Oh, okay. Sure. Jake, your father didn't steal the Silly Putty."
He paused, then added, "I did."
I didn't even blink.
"You're not surprised, Jake?" Dad asked, astonished.
"No," I said, like it was obvious. "Uncle Charlie looked way too interested in the menu last night when you guys brought it up."
"And you said nothing?" Dad asked, a little annoyed.
"We had already changed the subject before I could say anything. And I wasn't going to start accusing someone without knowing the whole story."
I took another bite of toast and added, "I know you can be cheap sometimes, Dad. But I also know you're not a petty thief"
This time, Dad looked at me seriously. "Thank you, son. That means a lot."
But even after that, Dad was still visibly angry with Uncle Charlie. The two of them barely spoke that morning.
Charlie even pulled me aside at one point, looking genuinely concerned. "What can I do to fix this?" he asked.
I didn't have a good answer. I shrugged. "I don't really know."
So, Charlie did the only thing he could think of—he went to talk to Grandma.
---
At dinner, Dad was still not talking to Uncle Charlie
"Oh, come on, Alan. Talk to me," Charlie said.
"No," Alan replied.
"Look, I wanna make this right, but you gotta help me," Charlie said. "Please, tell me what I can do. I'm begging for your forgiveness."
"I am sorry," Alan said, "but you did something... which affected my life in a deeply destructive way and... I don't think I have it in me to forgive you."
"Hello? Anybody home?" Evelyn called.
"In here, Mom," Alan replied.
"Well, how are my boys doing this evening?" Evelyn asked as she entered the kitchen.
"Well, I think Mommy has the answer. Alan… if you find it intolerable living under the same roof with the brother who betrayed you... then you and Jake can come and live with me."
I widened my eyes the moment Grandma said it
Dad looked at her for a moment… then finally turned back to Charlie.
"We're good," Alan replied immediately.
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