Eric gets the bread going so Joey will get what he desires. It’s just a little bit of exra work, really, and it’s so worth it flavor-wise because nothing is better than homemade garlic bread. Eric realizes he doesn’t have certain ingredients and arranges a delivery through Instacart for the items he needs. He adds some ginger ale to the order because it’s Lucas' favorite soda. Eric doesn't really care for it, and the boys never ask for it, so he never gets it. He finishes the order, gets the bread in the oven, and starts in on making a couple of lasagnas. He gets the noodles boiling, and gets ready the other things he will need. A few minutes later Tran and Tyler walk in.
"Smells delicious already, Ba,” Tran says, sniffing the air into his nose a bit.
It’s as if Eric can hear his salivary glands open up; Pavlov's dog and all that.
"Tyler, would you like to stay? There will be plenty."
"I need to call home first, but it will probably be OK."
"Tran, would you be so kind as to set the table in the dining room?"
"Sure thing, Ba. How many?"
"Well, there is us so that's four, plus Joy, Lucas and his girl friend, so that’s seven, plus Tyler makes eight. I better text your brothers and see if they are inviting anyone. I'm almost certain Cindy Lou Who will be gracing our table; may as well make it nine. Joey doesn't seem to invite his friends over too much."
Eric wonders why that is. He doesn't think Joey would think he would perv on his friends; Eric isn't like that. But if that's not that, then what is it?
He gets the lasagnas ready to put in the oven when people start arriving, and puts them in the fridge in the meantime. The bread loaves are done and waiting to be sliced open, garlic and butter added, then re-baked to get that wonderful toasty texture and taste.
He heads upstairs to sit in his room, and turns on the TV. As he is watching, Joey appears.
"Hi dad. Just wanted to let you know I'm home," he says from the doorway.
"Joey, I wanted to ask you something."
"Sure, dad," he answers as he walks in and sits next to Eric.
"Buddy, I was just thinking you never have your friends over here. Did I do something wrong? Do you think I am going to try to sleep with your friends or something?"
"No dad, it’s not that at all."
"So what is it then, Senator?"
Joey smiles. "I'm not being elusive. It’s just that my friends are normal boys."
"I thought you were a normal boy? Are you Pinocchio or something?"
"I am normal, dad, it’s......gosh how can I put it? We got a lot of stuff, dad. Really nice stuff. Shoot, I heard you tell Joy the new piano cost $48,000. That's more than most of my friends moms and dads make in a year."
"We didn't buy the piano; it was a gift from the record company."
"Yeah, but dad, the house is so big. Everything is so nice. I don't want my friends thinking I'm bragging or something. I mean it was hard enough to make friends being sorta famous and trying to figure out who really wanted to be my friend because I'm Joey, not because I'm a singer."
"I suppose I understand what you are saying. But they are your friends, and I'm sure they know that I own a lot of things, right?"
"Yeah, they know that."
"So they probably already figured out we have a lot of nice things due to that, right?"
"Yeah, I guess. I tell you what. You think about it and I will let you decide. How about after school lets out, I will let you invite some of your friends over and you boys can have a third floor party and sleepover."
"Can we have snacks and stuff too?"
"When have I ever said no to snacks for you?"
"Yesterday. You told me I couldn't have a donut."
"It was ten minutes to supper!"
Joey giggles.
"I know. Watcha watchin?"
"Just a show about how they make tortilla chips in a factory."
"Cool, mind if I watch too?"
"Sure buddy, it just started. Settle in."
Joey is getting a little bigger than lap-sized and rarely sits on Eric's lap anymore unless he really wants to feel super close to him. This is one of those times.
"So what’s bothering you, Joey?" Eric asks as he kisses the back of Joey’s head.
Joey thinks a minute before answering. Eric has yet to un-pause the show because it will wait; his son is far more important. He thinks, “Maybe that's one thing that's different in our house.” Eric thinks back to his and Alejandro's conversation about how they are more in touch with each other than other families are. They not only think each other and each other’s feelings are important, they prove it. They show that it is most important to them, regardless if they think it’s trivial or not.
"It’s the new song dad. What Tran said makes a lot of sense. I mean I like the song well enough now, but do I really want to sing it for the rest of my life?"
"That is a hard question for sure."
"I'm thinking though maybe I won't be famous forever. Just be one of those boys that made it big, then their voice changes and it’s over. So maybe I will need the money."
"Joey do you realize how much money you already have?"
"$132.78."
"No, I mean from the records and whatnot?"
"No dad, I don't."
"I had your financial advisor send over the information last week. It’s in my office, so let’s go look at it."
Eric gets up and carries Joey, which is not really appropriate with him so much anymore. Joey is growing up, and Eric is hating it but accepts that it is inevitable. Eric sits at his desk and pulls up a file on his laptop. “Joeys investments” is the title of it.
The spread sheet pops up and Eric walks him through, showing his investments that Eric approved; all are fairly safe investments. Eric might risk his own money on occasion, but he has rarely risked what some people would call a small fortune on ideas. Luckily it has paid off most of the time.
"So I own apartment buildings?"
"Yes, a few complexes, mostly in Kansas for some reason. Not sure why."
"I don't even know what Bojangles is and I own 6 of them."
"It’s a fast food chicken place kinda sorta like a KFC."
"Hmm," Joey muses and scrolls down more.
"Why do I own land in Nevada?"
"It’s an investment that will pay off in the future we believe. We have already been offered twice what you paid for it. We have refused it because we think in ten years it will be worth about ten times what you paid for it."
"How much did I pay for it?"
"I think three million. I can check if you like but pretty sure three million is what it was."
"Three million dollars?"
"Yes."
"And they offered six million and you said no?" he asks, kind of shocked.
"Yes, because thirty million is certainly better than six. We have even figured in the housing bubbles that always seem to hit."
"So what’s it all add up to all together?"
Eric scrolls down and it shows Joey’s monthly income, and the liabilities he has to cover. Insurance, taxes, salaries and all other business expenses. Then the total per month is shown.
"That is how much you make a month. Now multiply that by twelve. Eric says and that's how much you make a year."
"So dad, this has me thinking."
"Yeah?"
"I think I need a bigger allowance."
"You do, do you?"
"Yeah, see this got me to thinking about numbers in my head. You make us put 10% into savings, right?"
"Yes." Eric says, getting more intrigued where Joey is going with this.
"Then we give 10% to charity right?"
"Mhm."
"So see, since my allowance is $20 a week if we bumped it up to say $25 I would actually get $20 after savings and charity."
"I don't see how I can argue against that logic. I'm sure your brothers will be pleased with you for a new raise."
Joey smiles.
"Besides, Joey, even if you didn't have this money, you shouldn't allow that part to factor into it. You have to think about what is best for Joey in this situation."
"I think I know what I'm going to do, but I need to think about it for a while to see if it’s what I really want to do."
"There you guys are!"Alejandro exclaims as he walks into the doorway.
"We weren't hiding,"Eric point out with a smile.
"So Poppi, Cindy said since we are having lasagna she is eating here. I didn't even ask her or nothing. She’s so rude!"
Eric sees the hand and then hears the playful slap on Alejandro's back.
"I most assuredly did not invite myself, Mr Eric," she insists, nudging her way past Alejandro and into the room. "Alley has a way of stretching the truth sometimes."
"And Congressman, how do you respond to this allegation?" Eric chuckles.
"The man from the Great State of Confusion denies these allegations,"Alejandro declares.
Eric thinks half a second about what he said and starts laughing hard.
"You truly are a clever boy. I’ll have to remember that one."
"You should, Poppi, since you’re the governor."
"Oh great, so now I'm the governor of the State of Confusion? Like I don't have enough to do with you guys," Eric says, throwing up his hands in fake exasperation. He then looks at Cindy.
"Besides, you could never invite yourself to dinner without an invitation, because you are always invited." Eric tries to sound snobby as he says it, and Cindy giggles.
"Dad."
"Yes, Joey?"
"Let’s watch that show about how they make tortilla chips now, if that's OK?"
"It’s a fine idea. You two care to join us?"
"Um, no thanks,"Cindy says.
"She thinks we watch boring stuff," Alejandro reveals.
"Not everyone thinks it’s neat to see how things are made. That's why it’s not on a major network."
"It was really cool watching what they do with all the trash in New York City, though," Alejandro tells her.
"Boys!" she responds, shaking her head.
They go their separate ways in the house, and Eric and Joey start watching the show.
"When did Cindy start calling him Alley?" Eric asks.
"I don't know, a little while back. He doesn't mind when she does it. But he sure don't like it if I do."
Eric chuckles.
"No, I bet not."
They continue watching the show and when it’s over, Eric heads downstairs to check on everything because Joy and the other dinner guests should be arriving any minute. Everything seems to be in order.
He walks into the entryway and looks at the piano. He sits on one of the couches and thinks, “It is a lot of money for a piano. The world is crazier than a box of frogs, that's for sure.”
He continues sitting there and thinking things over when he hears a car pull up. There is no road noise where they live, so car noises really stand out. He gets to the door just as the bell chimes, and opens it to see Joy and Lucas.
He pushes Joy aside as a joke and wraps Lucas in a hug that is returned.
"I guess I see where I rate."
"I see your old saggy ass all the time," he jokes, still embraced in the hug.
"I have missed you so much, Lucas."
"I know, me too. Sorry I haven't texted a lot. With school and work and studying I just don't have time to do everything."
"Don't worry about that silly shit. Come in here and tell me about this girl who I don't see anywhere," Eric suggests as he releases Lucas and looks around.
"She will be here in a while; she had to stop and get something."
"Oh, OK. Will she be able to find the place?"
"Eric, there’s this thing called GPS, remember?"
"I'm old so it’s not the first thing I think of, OK?"
As they enter the doorway they see Alejandro and Joey appear at the top of the rounded double staircase. One takes one side, and one takes the other. Alejandro hits the third or fourth step and steps on his loose sock as he is racing down. He tumbles and crashes the rest of the way down the steps. Eric's heart jumps out of his chest, sits on his shoulder and says, "Oh boy, this is gonna suck."
Eric races in as Alejandro hops up, brushes some lint off his shirt, and smiles.
"That's the quick way down!" he announces proudly as he races over and jumps in Lucas’ arms.
They both hug each other as Joey makes it over to them and waits, patiently for a ten-year-old boy, only tapping his foot to pass the time. Alejandro slides down Lucas.
"Better let Joey get a hug. Don't want to Bogart you."
Eric looks at Alejandro and wonders, “Where does he learn this shit?”
Joey hugs him hard.
"Missed you, little man," Lucas says while hugging him.
"I wish you went to college here."
"I wish I did too, but where I go has the best solar program in the country. I wanted to go where I would learn the most. Besides, it’s only four hours to get home, so I make the trip at least once a month."
"For laundry," Joy alleges wryly.
"Yep, that's the only reason. I would rather spend eight hours in a car than do my own laundry."
"OK, you like to see Eric and the boys, too." A wry smile appears on her lips.
"You know I love you, mom," Lucas assures her, swooping his arm around her.
Eric thinks back to when Lucas was just a little guy and would wrap his arm around her leg. “They have to get older; it’s the natural way,” Eric thinks. “If I could make a wish that they never got older, would I?” He ponders a moment and decides he couldn't do that to them. It would deny to them the happiness he enjoyed having them in his life as children. That wouldn't be fair to them at all because he has never been happier.
They all walk into the living room and take seats. Eric excuses himself for a moment to turn on the stove to preheat.
"I wanted to turn on the stove because I don't want that evil woman here any longer than she has to be. If it wasn't for Lucas I would have kicked her to the curb years ago."
"Only reason I kept you around was for free babysitting, and now I just get free McDonald's, so I'm still in limbo over what to do," she jibes back.
"You two are so mean to each other," Lucas says while laughing at their banter.
"They do it all the time. It’s how we know something’s up," Tran says.
"Yeah, hows that?" Lucas asks him.
"If they are being nice to each other, something is going on. When they are mean like this, we know everything is A-OK."
Lucas laughs.
"You see how twisted you are making these boys?”
"They know we are playing," Joy says smiling.
"Ever since I've known them they pick on each other. Even in the hospital room when I first met Poppi."
"They have done it ever since I've known them too," Lucas tells them.
"That's a looooong time," Tran observes.
"Hey, I'm only five years older than you, mister."
Eric thinks, “Only five years older? Tran will take the PSAT tests next year. Then the SATs, then college, all in just four years. Well, enjoy those four years, Eric. Enjoy every day because once a day is gone, that's it. There is no time travel to get back lost days.”
They sit and chat for around fifteen minutes when they hear a car pulling up.
"That must be Laura B," Lucas says. He stands up to go greet her.
"Is your family always like this?" Tyler asks Tran.
"Yes," Tran says, smiling.
"No wonder you are happy all the time."
Lucas returns with a pretty girl. She is his age and about 5 feet 2 inches, maybe a hundred pounds, and looks like a ball of energy. Eric notices first how breathtakingly pretty she is. It’s not a fake-from-makeup kind of pretty; it’s a true, honest pretty young woman kind.
"Laura B, these are the guys."
She walks up to Eric and hugs him.
"I have heard so much about you I feel like I know you already, all of you, really." She pulls away from hugging Eric, who was surprised but still managed to hug her back. Everyone rose when she walked into the room so she walked over in front of Tran.
"You are Tran, the smartest boy that Lucas has ever met. I can't wait to get to know you," she declares, and then walks in front of Joey.
"You must be Joey. Like I would need to be a detective to figure that out seeing as how I see your face everywhere. Not to mention how talented you are. I can’t wait to get to know you, either." She kisses his cheek.
Joey has the decency to blush.
"And you are Alejandro. The little boy who stole Eric's heart the first moment he laid eyes on you. I am told that you have a personality of gold. I’m eager to get to know you, too.” Finally she walks in front of Tyler.
"You, I don't have a clue who you are, but if you are here then it has to be important to get to know you as well. From what Lucas has told me, you all so so friggin’ cool."
"I better go put the lasagna in so it’s not friggin’ cool," Eric announces, making them all chuckle.
"Dad humor," Joey says, getting another laugh from everyone. Eric gives him a fake stern look, then breaks into a smile. He goes and puts the food into the oven and sets timers. They all go to the dining room to get their drinks.
"Hey, you got me ginger ale," Lucas states the obvious as he holds up his can.
"Yeah, you like that stuff; I don't understand why, though. I've tried to like it because it’s supposed to be kind of a healthier choice of soda, if there is such a thing. But maybe I’m just sick or something."
"You and your Coca Cola!"
"I like what I like.”
They all sit down and enjoy the salad Eric had put together. Usually, Eric allows Joey and Alejandro to get their own food, but lasagna is hot and can burn pretty easily. It can also be tricky as it sometimes slides. So Eric began to serve the lasagna.
"Poppi, I need a BIIIIIGGGG piece."
"You do, do ya?"
"Yes sir, I surely do."
"Are you imitating Opie Taylor now?"
"Aw shux, paw," Alejandro mimics and makes Eric laugh.
"Dad, where is the garlic bread?"
"If you want it that bad, go get it," he tells Joey, who immediately gets up and goes to get it.
Alejandro looks at the mound of lasagna on his plate and kind of separates it so the steam will at least stop before he tries to eat it. He learned that lesson the hard way; it only took once, or was it ten times, to learn that one.
"So Laura B, why do they call you Laura B?" he asks as he is letting his meal cool.
"That's easy. When I was in grade school there was always another girl in my class named Laura, so she was Laura M and I was Laura B. It just kind of stuck because we were in the same group of friends all through high school even. I actually just got a text from her earlier. Funny thing is, I still call her Laura M and she still calls me Laura B even if we are talking to each other," she explains with a giggle.
Alejandro looks at her, un-amused by the last bit.
"Oh, that makes sense." Tran says. "I haven't ever had that problem since I've always been the only Tran."
"Yeah, there’s not too many Tran’s in America," Eric asserts.
Lucas starts laughing.
"Eric, you haven't been to college lately; there are Trans everywhere.
Everyone but Eric starts laughing. He is looking around and you can see the wheels turning, not catching anything but continue turning.
“Why are there a lot of Chinese at your school?" Eric asks after they calm down. Upon which his total lack of understanding provokes another round of laughter.
"Ba, sometimes I wonder about you. He’s talking about transgender people.”
It suddenly hits Eric square in the face.
"Oh!" He chuckles a bit as he processes the new information.
"Holy Christ, Eric! How dense are you?" Joy asks him.
"Extremely, obviously.”
"How long has Bobbi worked for you?" she persists, referring to the transgender employee who worked at the store while she was going to college and transitioning. Eric moved her to the office even before she graduated because she is brilliant.
"Oh, I guess for ten years now."
"You’re a big doofus. It’s a good thing you can cook," she tells him.
"You’ve got a big mouth. Put some food in it and makes some good use of it for a change," he counters.
"Do they always act like this?" Laura B asks, realizing that they are playing.
"Unless something bad happens, then they are serious," Lucas tells her.
"Does everyone know our secrets?" Eric asks, and looks at Joy. "The boys were saying the same thing. You heard them. So next time you’ve got something bad going on, just come in and call me a cocksucker and every one will think everything is OK.”
His three boys as well as Lucas sound off at him.
"Poppi!!!!"
"Dad!!!"
"Baaaa!!!"
"Eric!!!"
"What?" he protests and puts up his hands in self-defense.
"I think they are shocked at your language, jerk-off," Joy says. "Do I need to wash your mouth out with soap?"
She gets them all laughing at that thought.
"I would like to see you try," Eric fires back. She jumps up from her chair and heads toward Eric, who is already moving around the table the other way.
"Catch me if you can," Eric challenges her.
She stops and proclaims, "That's as far as I go," and promptly sits in Eric's seat.
"Fuck you, I got lasagna."
He looks around the room.
"What, I get admonished for saying something and she says ‘fuck’ and nothing?" he asks pleads with his hands out.
"Poppi, she always cusses. It’s normal."
She takes a bite of his lasagna.
"See, you got to start them out right. You can’t just start cussing out of the blue and expect to get away with it," she instructs as she takes another bite of his food.
"Quit eating my food, you heifer!”
"I got your heifer,” she retorts, taking yet another bite.
Eric figures the heck with it and sits at her spot.
"You two are hysterical,” Laura B says.
"You have no idea,"Joey says and rolls his eyes, making everyone at the table laugh.
"Your home is lovely, by the way," she tells Eric.
"Thank you. If you would like, I, the boys, or even Lucas can show you around after we get done eating. But not Joy; she steals."
Joy laughs and replies, "Only from you."
"Don't forget the cheesecake, Ba."
"I didn't forget the cheesecake. I even got cherry compote delivered with the insta thingy."
"It’s Instacart, dad," Joey says as he would have said “Duh.”
Eric looks at him.
"Do you have that on your phone?"
"No. Why?"
"Do you have a phone?" Eric asks more seriously.
"I did," he says with a sullen look. Finally Eric starts laughing.
"Dad, you’re so mean."
"I know it. How is the garlic bread? I would say you like it since you have eaten two pieces already."
"I think it’s the best yet, dad."
"I should teach you how to make it. Maybe you will be like Tran and make it better."
"Shoot ya, Poppi. That French toast was dynamite!"
“Dynamite? Where does this boy get these phrases from, 1975?” Eric thinks silently.
"Dynamite, huh?" Eric asks.
"Yeah Poppi, cuz my taste buds ‘sploded,"
he responds with big eyes.
Something about it got Tyler really
tickled, and he laughs so hard he starts crying.
"Oh shit. Oh shit, you sounded just like my little brother when you said that. He is hilarious, just like you guys," Tyler tells them.
"How old is he?" Joey asks.
"He’s younger than you guys; he is eight. But he is really super smart."
"So we aren't smart?" Alejandro pulls a Gracie Allen on him because he watches that show with Poppi, even though its not his favorite thing to watch, just to spend time with him. Poppi does the same thing with Alejandro frequently. In any case, Alejandro is liking the show more now that he is a little older and understands the jokes better.
"No, I didn't say that. I'm just saying he is really smart."
"So we are stupid then?" Joey says, catching on.
Tran, not wanting to be left out, adds, "So what, my brothers are idiots? Get your towels guys, you’re drooling."
"No no, it’s not.....I mean that for being an eight-year-old he is really smart. I know your brothers are really smart too. I mean, I looked at a video earlier of them when they were talking about something on a talk show. They seemed really smart then."
"Oh, so we," Alejandro does air quotes with his fingers, "Seemed smart at that time. But now we are idiots. I don't know about this guy, Tran."
"Me neither Tran, because even Dad knows when Alejandro is messing with him."
It takes Tyler a second for it to register.
"Oh!" he says, and turns his head to the side knowing he had been had.
"I am really gullible, guys. Sorry. You will learn that about me I believe almost everything people tell me. I got in trouble when I was in first grade because my dad’s name is Philip and I was working with him in his shop. He asked me to hand him the Philips head screw driver. so I did. He looked at it and said, ‘I remember when I invented this.’
“I was in awe. ‘You invented that, daddy?’ I asked him.
“‘Sure, why do you think it’s called a Philips head?’
“So naturally I believed him. During my next Show and Tell, I had something to tell. My teacher told me my dad did not invent the Philips head screwdriver. I argued with her, because I KNEW my dad invented it. My dad loves that story about him getting called into the principal’s office for lying when he was in his 30's."
Everyone is laughing at the story and enjoying the way Tyler is telling it.
[Author’s note: This is a true story from my life. Mrs Woods was not nice when I called her a liar. My dad told that story until he died; he loved it. I really am gullible because I don't lie, so I assume everyone else is truthful too.]
"That's so funny," Tran says and kisses his cheek.
"Oh, so that answers my question then," Joy speaks up.
"About what?" Lucas asks.
"If Tran and Tyler are boyfriends or not."
"Mom, that's hardly your business," Lucas admonishes her.
"I know, but you know me. Always curious."
"Killed the cat, you know," Eric smirks.
"Shut up," she says.
"Yes Miss Joy, we are boyfriends. We haven't told anyone but Ba so far. Now everyone here knows, I guess."
"Dad, we asked you earlier if they were boyfriends and you said you didn't know."
"Poppi’s going to Washington, do da do da," Alejandro sings.
"Mr President, the lasagna is very good today," Joey adds.
Lucas starts humming “Hail to the Chief” and everyone is laughing but Tyler and Laura B.
After Eric’s politicians joke is explained to them, they both find it amusing.
They continue to laugh and joke with each other. Everyone but the boys declined cheesecake until later.
When they are done Joey asks, “So, Lukey-pukey, are you gonna let me beat you at bowling."
Tran interjects, "Lukey-pukey? Really?.... I take back defending my brothers’ intelligence, well that one’s anyway." This is met with laughter and Joey’s tongue stuck firmly out.
Joey immediately smiles, "I don't know. Laura B, you feel like getting your butt kicked by some preteens?"
"Sure, but I didn't bring my ball from college. I guess I can use a lane ball."
"We have several. I'm sure you will find one you like," Eric tells her.
"Oh, OK," she answers, thinking they have them in a closet somewhere.
"Alright you snappers. Get this table cleared and we will go bowling. Joy, care to get your ass whipped as well?"
She rubs her tummy.
"Not this time. You just win by default."
"I’ll take it. I may sit with you instead, but I still win."
They all get up from the table. Alejandro races over to Eric who swoops him up and starts carrying him. He is still really only the size of an eight- or young nine-year-old. His growth had been stunted from the lack of proper nutrition, but he is getting there and the doctor thinks he will be fine. A little on the short side, but fine.
Eric whispers in his ear, "Don't feed Buddy from the table."
"He likes it."
"I know he does, but it’s not good for him."
"Really?"
"You like candy bars, right?"
"Yeah I do," he grins as they start down to the basement.
"Is this where you store the bowling equipment?" Laura B asks.
"Well sure, where else would we keep it?" Joey wonders as he flips the switch revealing the bowling lanes.
"Holy shit, Lucas said you were rich but damn! Oh I'm so sorry, I didn't mean it to sound like that. I mean I…"
"It’s OK. I'm rich; I don't mind, in fact I kind of prefer it. But the lanes were in the house when we bought it."
"This is so friggin’ cool," she enthuses.
Alejandro and Joey are used to it and just go about their usual tasks. Joey turns on the pin setters and Alejandro boots up the scoring system.
"We did however put in the electronic scoring. It wasn't that much so we just did it."
"I mean, not to be nosy or anything, and you don't have to answer, but how much is something like that?"
"Now I have no idea. We got ours used for around $3,000 but that didn’t include installation or shipping, so all in all I think five grand or so."
"Oh, I would have thought more," she says
"Yeah, the lanes are around 30 grand each. So if I had put the lanes in, then you are looking at around 75 grand right there."
"Dog gone. No wonder bowling costs so much."
"Yeah, plus they have lights and staff to pay as well.
"So choose a ball. What size shoes do you wear? Aw, just have Lucas show them to you."
They go to get shoes and Alejandro is back in front of Eric.
"So is it OK once in a while?"
"What?"
"Like I get with candy bars. Every once in a while Buddy gets some people food."
"OK, like when you get candy bars. Just not from the table."
His son grins at him and turns to get his ball.
They all start bowling, and even Joy decides to bowl even though she continues saying she is too full. Laura B is sitting next to Eric and Alejandro is on his lap.
"So again, just curious. But Lucas said you owned some McDonald's. How many do you have, like 15 or 20?"
"I don't know, somewhere around there."
"577 now, Poppi. You ‘member you told me that you were over half way to what you told Mrs Kroc."
"OK wise guy, whats 112,000 times 577?"
Without missing a beat Alejandro answers, "66 million 355 thousand."
"That's my smart boy," he says and kisses the top of his head as Alejandro soaks in the praise.
"What is 122,000?" she asks.
"The profit from each store. Most franchises make around 150,000 on average but I pay better than most of them, so it cuts my personal profit. But I was taught a long time ago by my mentor Mr Brown that if you pay people a decent wage, they will stay with you and be good workers. In a lot of the areas getting a job at one of my stores is really something. I pay $15 an hour where the others pay $8 or $9 an hour. It’s interesting that getting a job at McDonald's is a step up. Didn't used to be that way; it was a McJob for not McMuch. But I am changing that with my stores. Other owners are seeing what I'm doing and changing their policies to reflect more what mine are. I understand that a person who has one franchise can’t do what I do, because the costs would destroy him or her. I get such deep discounts on insurance and other perks I give that it’s actually affordable. Maybe I can start a co-op of sorts with other owners and save them and maybe even me some more money and they can offer healthcare at affordable rates to their workers. Hmm." Eric stops talking and starts pondering the thought.
When it’s Alejandro's turn, he hops off Eric’s lap. Eric sends a text of the idea to one of his people who would handle something like that. It just might work. Then he puts it out of his mind so he can enjoy the time with his family and their friends.
At nine Eric said to everyone, "We better get this ended. Boys you got school tomorrow and I got work. So get your butts upstairs and get the stink washed off of ya," he tells them.
Lucas laughs as the boys race off.
"You used to tell me the same thing."
"I figured if I make you laugh, you won't argue about it."
"I wouldn't have argued with you. You were my hero back then."
"I was not."
"No really, you were. After dad got killed mom was a mess."
"I remember,” Eric replies somberly.
"Then you came in and swooped me out of the sadness, and started taking me on this wonderful adventure that is being around you."
Eric doesn't want to cry, but he is going to.
"You’re so full of shit," Eric says, tapping Lucas’ belly.
"No really, Eric. When Lucas would get home from spending the weekend with you he was so jubilant. I felt bad for a long time because I had you bring him back. I was just so destroyed when his dad died. I didn't know what to do. I took a month off of work to just cry and then I went back to work and still cried. I must have cried a million tears over that man,” Joy related.
"You loved him because he was the best guy ever. I cried when he died too. He was a really good friend. But I also knew that he wouldn't want Lucas to be sad for too long. So I took it upon myself to do what I could to make him smile. A happy meal or a toy, maybe a trip to the park. Things he and his dad used to do. I wasn't trying to replace him."
"I know, Eric. You were just so right at that time in my life. I just really want to thank you for everything,” Lucas said from his heart.
"Well I love you Lucas. I have since the first time I saw you in the hospital right after your mom had you. I and your dad were both so excited, the nurses couldn't figure out who the dad was. Finally your dad, the joker that he was, told them we were a couple so we both were the dads."
"Yeah, then one of the nurses told me how great I was for carrying a baby for that sweet gay couple," Joy says, laughing at the memory.
Eric starts laughing.
"Oh crap, I had forgot that. It was hilarious until he kissed me and your parents walked in."
"He was the devil, wasn't he?"Joy says, grinning and thinking of the times past when her husband was alive. She has been doing that more lately since she and Marco have gotten pretty serious, so much so that they may sleep at their own homes a few nights a week, but only because the other is there with them. They just carry a little bag with a few days’ clothes, and when it runs out they go home and the other follows. Marco is very understanding about her telling Lucas how serious they are becoming.
She hasn't ever really dated very seriously. No one could even compare to her husband, so she didn't even try. There was the occasional dinner but nothing ever got serious. She thought it had been so long since she had real sex, like with someone else, she would have to dust the fucking thing off before Marco got it. But it’s like riding a bike: she hadn’t forgotten anything and even learned a few new things as well.
They head upstairs to the main level and say their goodbyes. Eric locks the door and sets the alarm, then heads up to take a shower and go to bed. He thinks about going to work in the morning, and he is actually kind of excited about it. OK, really excited about it. Being able to get back on the floor and make food, help customers and employees, it’s so exciting. He gets out of the shower and dries off. He gets some black slacks out of his closet and a pair of slip-resistant dress shoes. He puts the slacks on the couch and the shoes in front of it. He is setting out his clothes like a schoolboy and thinks about watching Alejandro and Joey doing the same. He smiles and climbs into bed and shuts off the light, when a moment later he hears Alejandro coming in.
"Poppi?"
"Yes?"
"I'm sleeping with you tonight."
"OK."
He feels him climb in next to him and starts to doze off. Then finds sleep quickly as he feels his boy snuggle up to him and his soft breath against his skin.
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ericmurphey1971@gmail.com
Donate to nifty heres how. Still think it would be funny to see a gift in honor of Alejandro.
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So very sorry about the wait. It couldnt be helped. But, anticipation sometimes is fun.
I hope you liked this chapter. If you havent seen I have started posting a new part to the Premontion as well. You all seemed to enjoy that story as well.
Also You guys all know when I find a story that stands out I let you know about it.
Well, I found one. I mentioned it on Premonition but this one is so good that I wanted everyone to read it. Its called Counting and written by Tux. Its also edited by Andrew Thomas. Its an amazing story you should give a read. Nifty Archive: young-friends/counting for easy access there you go.
As always a big thank you to Zero for his work on this project making it better.
Thank you as always for the emails they really inspire me to write more often and try to make it the best possible story I can.
As Always I wish you all
Peace Love and Good Happiness
Eric