Memories of a Life That Never Happened

Chapter 14 - Public Affairs

Despite the trivial façade, the Lighthouse restaurant was legendary among outlanders. It was but a squared open kitchen, three of its walls used as serving counters. On the wall adjacent to the building that gave the eatery its name, there was an oven, a narrow door and an old, peeling refrigerator. The door should led to the room that the owner called home.  

The restaurant's proud owner and cook was Madam Mila, a short-necked, middle-aged woman who only shed her stained white apron and flip-flops at bedtime. Her weight let on how she spent her days: tasting her food to perfection. 

The entire handwritten menu did not add up to a dozen options. It offered four seafood courses, chicken breast à la Milanese and penne al sugo. For the vegetarians, a couple of salads had been thrown in. French fries and rice also made the list as side dishes.  

A round acrylic display rested on one of the counters. It featured a variety of homemade sweets, such as flans, coconut candy and banana cake. Theo's favorite dessert was the açaí cream.  

The Chusters and their cronies settled on the quiet corner Nicholas had reserved beforehand. They ordered more coconuts and nibbled on a complimentary portion of fish fritters.  

"Hmm! It smells great in here. It's making me hungry," Alan said, massaging his bare belly in circles.  

The ease of the place appealed to people. Food was simple but luscious, as life should be. 

Nicholas sat at the head of the table. When he spoke, his tone was formal.  

"Gentleman..." He cleared his throat. "I'm sure you all anticipate why we're here today."  

A long pause followed while he stared at the kids one by one with an arched eyebrow for added suspense. In response, Alan and Theo exchanged a meaningful look while Nick decided to put forth his theory.  

"Theo is going to live abroad."  

Nicholas fluttered his eyes, considering the statement.  

"When we spoke to Theo, we understood he didn't want to go just yet," he said. "Carolina and I agreed it would be best if he had this experience before law school. However, his mind was made up. Isn't that right, son?" 

All eyes turned to Theo, who nodded, examining his hands. Unsavory words began scrambling up his throat. 

"So?" Nick insisted. 

"Mom and Dad are getting a divorce," Theo blurted out. 

Time stopped and the air rarefied.  

Leo uttered, "Holly shit!" and since the fritters were gone, Alan ravaged his nails. Nicholas gasped, taken aback by the statement and in Nick's eyes, the initial surprise turn into fury. Theo, however, remained impassive, as if he had just said the day was sunny. 

"What?" Nick sprung up, slammed his fist against the table. "Bullshit!" His eyes pierced right through his father's, bloodthirsty.  

People in the restaurant stopped eating their food to watch. 

Nicholas hauled Nick down, forced him to seat. Then, he turned his attention to Theo. Glaring at his youngest son, he scolded in a low voice, "No one's getting divorced! Where did this nonsense come from?" 

Theo shrugged. His anger subsided and he felt a little foolish.  

Nick, on the other hand, was still fuming. For the lack of a better scapegoat, he unleashed his anger at his brother.  

"You fucking dumbass!" He slapped Theo on the back of his head.  

"That's enough," Nicholas warned. "You're making a scene, Nick."  

Nick searched Joana's table. Like everybody else in the patio, she was gaping at them.  

Nicholas addressed his youngest. "As for you, Theo-." He let out a huff of disappointment. "What has gotten into you? Why would you say something horrible like that?" 

Theo kept quiet, rubbing his throbbing head, eyes fixed on his lap. He did not dare face his father.  

"I don't know," he muttered. "You and mom have been fighting a lot. Also, you're always together when we do-this." He circled a finger in the air, meaning the gathering.  

Nicholas sighed and slouched back in his chair. "I know. I know," he said, much calmer. "I'm sorry Mom's not here."  

Tenderly, he placed a hand over Theo's arm. He said, "Nevertheless, what a preposterous idea! I love your mother. I can assure you-." His gaze shifted from Theo to Nick. "No one's thinking of divorce." 

Nicholas had an odd cacoethes, something he did when he was worried or upset. He would pinch his thumb and index fingers together and place them over his glabella. Then, slowly, he would split them open, combing his eyebrows. This was one of those moments. Nicholas mooned, blind to the discomfort swelling around.  

"Should we have a look at the desserts?" Leo suggested to Alan.  

Silently, Alan waited for Theo's approval. Only when he received a long blink in acquiescence, Alan left the table after Leo. 

At the counter and out of earshot, Leo started slashing. 

"What's wrong with Theo? He flipped out big time," he said. "Where did he get that ridiculous idea?" 

"Hey! Out of context, he might have sounded unreasonable, I know. He's got a theory, though. And it's not ridiculous." 

"Does he now?" Leo said in a mocking tone. "Well, please enlighten me." 

Alan was eager to defend his friend, so he staunchly briefed Leo on Theo's suspicions.  

Back at the table, the air was still weary. Neither Nick nor Theo seemed to know how to address their father.  

"Sorry, Dad," Theo said first. "I think it's just... I'm sorry if I misread the signals. I'm having a hard time getting over my breakup with Lilian and I guess I projected my failed relationship in yours." 

"Sounds as you've been reading Mom's magazines again." Nicholas flashed a conciliatory glance at him. "Look son, I can't pretend to know what you're feeling. In spite of what you may think, Carolina is my one true love. Lucky me, she has always been mine." 

Very discreetly, Theo rolled his eyes. Sometimes he had doubts whether his father was a compulsive liar or if he really believed that bunch of crap.  

"It bothers me to see you holding on to a sunk relationship. You're young, not to mention good-looking. I bet you'll meet a great girl tonight." Nicholas patted Theo's forearm sympathetically. "By tomorrow, Lilian will be just another name." 

Theo scoffed. "It's not like that. You don't understand. I'll never forget her."  

"We'll see about that," Nicholas grinned. 

"Yeah, yeah. That's awesome," Nick disdained. "What I really want to know is: what's the big announcement after all?" 

Nicholas sat up straight and interlaced his fingers over the table. His sons' expressions elicited a short laugh out of him.  

"You want to know?" he inquired. "Now?" 

Theo and Nick nodded, the last added, "Enough with the mystery." 

"Shouldn't we wait for Leo and Alan?" Nicholas asked, meaning to prolong the suspense.  

"Spit it out already!" Theo pleaded, a bit curious now that he knew there was no divorce ahead. 

"All right. All right," Nicholas conceded, raising his hands. "Kids, listen up. This year, Daddy will set about an election campaign," he declared. "This year, I'm running for Congress."  

That, Theo thought, were much startling news.