A Tribe United Again

Chapter 28

Jude was trying to be understanding but his father was abusing the notion. "No."

"I'm dying!" Joshua shouted.

"You refused to go to the doctor."

"Don't need no damned quack telling me something." Joshua grumbled. "Always find something wrong with you."

"Like cancer?"

Joshua scowled. "You're taking over the business!"

"No." Jude and Joshua had been arguing over this for weeks. Jude steadfastly refused to take over his father's company. It was the one thing he wouldn't do.

Joshua narrowed his eyes and began cursing.

Jude withstood it all.

"What's going on?" Caitlyn walked in. "Why are you yelling at Jude?"

"Your blasted son is a disgrace!" Joshua yelled before coughing.

"Don't talk about him like that."

"Shut up, woman! That's my damn son!"

"He is my son." Caitlyn stood firm. "You will stop hurting him."

"Or what?" He sneered.

"I'll unplug your oxygen."

His eyes widened.

She stared at him steadily.

He grumped. "Weak ass is against me. Always was."

She rolled her eyes and went to Jude. "Are you okay?"

Jude stared at her. So far she'd made good on her promise to be better. She stood up for him and constantly asked after him. It made him feel warm inside but he still didn't trust it to last. He gave a curt nod.

She smiled wanly. "Are you hungry? I can have Cook make you something."

"I'm fine." Jude's stomach rumbled loudly.

Caitlyn gave him a look.

"I suppose a grilled toast wouldn't be bad."

She beamed. "I'll go find him."

"I can find him."

"No. You have much to discuss. I will be back." She swept out.

Jude watched her leave before he caught Joshua's muttered words. "She's not strange."

"You're taking over the company!" The mean man stabbed a finger in Jude's direction.

"I have to go. I'll be back." Jude went to his room to call Paris.

ATUA

Santana was so happy. She was now eighteen. A legal adult. She didn't know what to do with herself she was so happy.

Both Artie and Brittany made her morning but then the kids wishing their Ama a good birthday, made her year.

She wanted a big party but didn't know what kind to have. So she asked the best partiers she knew.

Quinn definitely had ideas. Mercedes had ideas that were more to Brittany's tastes. But they were ideas.

In the end, Santana chose one of Mercedes' ideas but put Quinn's spin on it. She had a disco party.

It was such fun that everyone forgot to be upset by things and just relaxed.

ATUA

Jude set his phone aside and went to go check on his father, who was suspiciously quiet. "What are you doing?"

"Minding my own business!" Joshua yelled.