Legion of Loch Ness

Chapter Four

      "Noah Everett, sit back down. You are not going anywhere until you tell me all the details of the orientation ball."

    "It's the first day of school, Mom. I'm going to be late." 

      "If you're late, darling, it's because you camehome so late last night. Anyway, where were we? Ah yes, you said Victoria wore a burgundy silkdress? And her cousin is a new student in school? Is she as charming as our Victoria?" Noah glared at his mother.

     "Yes, we have a new student, yes, she'sVictoria's cousin from California, but I neverdetermined whether she was charming or not. Why would I? Oh, and Victoria wore a pink dress, but I have no idea what the fabric was. Satisfied?" Noah got up from the breakfast table and startedcollecting his things.

        "Not so fast young man; I want to hear everydetail of the fabric of Victoria's dress before you leave," Paul Everett walked into the kitchen andwinked at his wife. 

      "Paul, what are you doing here? I was justabout to send your breakfast to your home office." 

     "I realized I was missing out on my family's riveting breakfast conversations. So, from now on, I will, be having breakfast with you both beforeheading to the office. Now, son, where were we?" Paul teased Noah.Noah looked pleasantly surprised to see his dadin the kitchen with them. He was usually in such arush and they barely met each other on most days.

       "Actually, Dad, I was just about to leave. It'sthe first day of school, and I don't want to belate." Noah glanced at his watch and sighed. 

       "I suppose I could stay for another 15 minutes and enjoy another cup of mom's delicious coffee." Megan beamed at him and poured him another cup. The family continued to have a rare and pleasant morning together. After finishing hisbreakfast, Paul opened up the newspaper to readwith his coffee, as was his routine. But as soon ashis eyes scanned the front page, his face flushed inanger, and he threw the newspaper on the kitchentable. He turned his furious eyes on Noah.

       "What the hell is this, Noah Everett?"  Taken aback by his father's tone, Noah leaned in closer to see the front page. He couldn't believehis eyes. Plastered on the front page was a closeup of him, Jason, and Victoria from the protestrally they had attended a few nights ago. The newspaper headline read Everett, Pex, andWinstrom Heirs Caught on Camera: Why PaulEverett Now Stands to Lose Upcoming Elections.Noah sighed in irritation. 

      "They're just tryingto create a scandal for their sales. It'll blow over soon enough."

        "This matters, Noah. You have made alaughing stock of me. You were there at that protest, fighting against the very bill I am pushingto have passed this week. Did you stop to think foreven one second how your juvenile actions wouldreflect on me and my image? How this couldimpact the future of my career? The future of our family?"

         "It may seem juvenile to you, but they are mybeliefs. I'm not going to apologize for going to that protest. That bill is wrong. I wish you wouldget out of your office and come see the real world from time to time. It's changed a lot sinceGrandpa Everett was a senator." 

         "Enough!" shouted Paul, standing abruptly. 

            "I'm going to call one of my supporters and arrangefor a business dinner tonight. You will attend withyour mother and me, perspective do as much damage control as we can. Am I clear?" Noah stood as well and grabbed his backpack. He glared cooly at his father, despite his growinganger. How dare his father attempt to dictate hispolitical beliefs? While he'd never hidden hisdisagreement, Noah had never argued with hisfather about his politics either. His father had noright to force him to publicly support any of it.