Ecie & Esme II: Another Day Like This

Five

'Okay now,' Sofie said. 'We all need to talk.'

'What about?' Ross asked sitting down at the dining table. 'What's going on?'

'We're going to talk about all the money your dad has spent on you guys,' Sofie replied.

'We agreed on everything together Sofie,' Jonathon said. 'I told you everything and I showed you all the invoices and things.

'Yeah but you still spent the money without a second thought,' Sofie said. 'You just see things and you buy...'

'But we talked about all this Sofie,' Jonathon said annoyed. 'I really hate when you get really annoying about such stupid stuff. We talked about it; you said it was fine as long as the prices were reasonable. The prices were fine so I got them. We already talked about it goddamn it.'

'Yeah I get that Jonathon,' Sofie said. 'But maybe you could have looked at some cheaper cars or gotten some of the cheaper packages...'

'Oh my god Sofie,' Jonathon said. 'You're not being serious right now.'

'You're a completely incompetent, inane man,' Sofie said. 'You just act completely on impulse. What the hell is wrong with you...?'

'Hey guys,' Esme said waving her hands. 'Perhaps you guys can finish your little thing after the talk. I've kind of got somewhere to be.'

'Okay then,' Jonathon nodded. 'Sofie and I have agreed on some stipulations about all of the things we've bought you over the past couple days.'

'What kind of stipulations?' Ecie asked.

'You and Esme need to work really hard in college,' Sofie replied. 'You can't slack because if we hear anything, we'll take away the apartment and the cars and everything.'

'What?'

'You need to prove that you really deserve all of the gifts and things,' Jonathon said. 'We'll take care of your rent and school fees, but you have to do the rest. You've got to pay for your own food and clothes and gas and anything else you'll need.'

'But dad,' Esme said. 'I don't even have a job.'

'Well then you'll need to find one,' Sofie said. 'You're going to meet so many very different people from all over the world when you go to college. You kids are so privileged to have all the things that you do; but many of the people you'll meet won't be.'

'That's fine,' Ecie nodded. 'But what if we really needed money or something.'

'Well you know that you can always come to us,' Jonathon said. 'But only if you desperately need the money. I can't think of what you'll need it for, but if you can't afford food or something then we'll help you out.'

'I don't get how this really affects me,' Ross said. 'I'm not going to college.'

'You'll need to sort yourself out,' Jonathon said. 'You're free to live with us for as long as you want, but you need to start working harder. You can't keep flying out of town all the time just because you're not the one who is paying for the ticket.'

'But it's not like I'm just flying around on holiday,' Ross protested. 'I'm working on my art collection.'

'You're such a loser,' Ecie laughed. 'It's always about your stupid art collection.'

Ross hit Ecie playfully. 'My art collection is going to be worth millions when I put it to auction in a couple of years.'

'So are we clear?' Sofie asked looking at her children.

'Basically we can't have a proper college experience in case we get arrested and have all our stuff taken away from us,' Esme said. 'But where will we live if you take our apartment? We'll be homeless.'

'Well then don't get arrested,' Sofie said.

'We don't want you to take what we've worked so hard for, for granted,' Jonathon said. 'You need to understand that we work very hard to be able to provide for you.'

'Okay,' Ross nodded. 'I'll stop flying out of town so much, but mom asked me to join her in Canada and I already told her I would. Can I still fly out tomorrow night without losing my car?'

'You can still fly out,' Sofie said. 'I've got something to give to Cassie, if you wouldn't mind.'

'Cassie will be coming back, you know,' Jonathon said. 'I'm sure it can wait til you see her again.'

Sofie looked at Jonathon.

'Well I can see that I've outstayed my welcome,' Jonathon said wiping his hands down the front of his chino pants. 'I'll see you girls later.'

'Bye dad,' Esme and Ecie said.

'Bye dad,' Ross said. 'I'll come by tomorrow and see you.'

'Yeah,' Jonathon said. 'As always Sofie, it was a pleasure.'

'I'll show you to the door,' Sofie said as they walked out of the room.

'I don't think we should leave them alone,' Esme said. 'I think they might actually kill each other.'

'It's funny to watch,' Ross laughed getting up. 'They're like the perfect couple; they completely hate each other's guts.'

'That's not funny,' Ecie said. 'It's kind of sad.'

'Oh get over it,' Ross laughed. 'Anyway, I'll see you girls later.'