Take Care of Me

Chapter 7

Toney sat quietly, across from his Dad. as he went on and on about how to manage a business successfully. He longed to tell him about his current financial issue, but he couldn't let him know that he was a failure. Instead he chose to remain quiet, and harbor his Dad's advice in the back of his mind. He didn't want to admit it, but he knew it would be useful to him one day.

Toney took a sip of his tea, and surveyed the menu once more. "I think I want the sirloin steak." He announced, interrupting his Dad. He hoped bringing up the subject of food would get his him to talk about something other than business and money.

"That's nice son. Now, what was I saying...Ah yes, you must get a partnership." Mr. Bradford stated. He loved that his son was a business man, and he wanted to help in anyway he could. It's not too many people he wanted to see exceed him at managing a business, but his son was one of them.

Toney clenched his jaw in aggravation. "Can we please talk about something else?" He asked, failing to keep his temper under control. It was like his Dad cared more about him managing a business than him. He just wanted to have a normal conversation with his father.

Mr. Bradford was startled by Toney's outburst. He didn't realize he didn't like talking about his career, he thought he enjoyed it. He straightened his tie, and sipped his wine. "Very Well, I didn't realize this topic upset you." He said.

Toney unclenched his jaw, and softened his expression. "It doesn't upset me Dad, it just bores the shit out of me." He mumbled, playing with the edge of the table. His Dad's constant obsession with running a business, is what drove him away from the profession in the first place. He wondered why he ever ran back to it.

His Dad stared at him for awhile, before letting out a few chuckles. His laughter alleviated all of the tension that had built up between them. "I really don't know where you picked up such filthy language." He said, feigning disappointment.

Toney widened his eyes in disbelief. His Dad had one of the filthiest mouths in the country, next to his of course. "Nice try old man, but If I'm not mistaking, you don't exactly have the tongue of a saint. As a matter of fact, Juliette and I heard you impart a few words to the cab driver when you arrived yesterday." He said, smirking. He heard his Dad grumble something under his breath, signaling he won the argument.

When the waitress came back they both ordered their food, and it was quite easy for them to slip into new conversations. Toney forgot how much he enjoyed talking to his Dad when he wasn't hounding him about his business or being successful. He truly looked up to the honorable man who helped raise him.

"Your Mother and I were so thrilled when Juliette told us we are going to have another grandchild." Mr. Bradford said with a smile. Having grandchildren was an experience like no other. It was something everyone ought to experience, and him and his wife loved every moment of it.

Toney looked down at his napkin. "Yeah, it's great." He said half-heartedly. He wanted to be excited, but he just wasn't. He still didn't want another baby right now, he was happy with the one son he had.

"Cheer up son you'll get use to it. After we had your sister, your Mother and I did not want anymore kids. No matter how hard we tried to demy it you still came along. We survived didn't we?" He said, attempting to make a joke. Toney nodded his head, he knew once the new baby came he would love him or her unconditionally, but right now he wasn't happy.

"Can I ask you something son?" Mr. Bradford asked seriously, changing the subject. Toney was curious, he thought he detected worry in his voice. He made a motion with his hand, giving his Dad consent to proceed with the question.

"Is Grace getting worse?" He asked, his voice lowering. Over the years Grace became like another daughter to him and his wife. They were concerned about her, as they were about their own kids, and they couldn't help but notice that her mental state seemed to be increasingly worse this visit.