When the Family Feuds

CHAPTER 12

Jonathan Efron Sr. had his way with people. Most times when he told people to jump, they asked how high. But he knew his working lunch would take some persuasion. Gail Powers wasn't a pushover. She was what some would consider his competition. Though he saw her as everything. Jonathan Efron Sr. decided early in his career that he would fight for the corporations and organizations that right or wrong deserved a fighting chance.

Gail on the other hand stuck with the American people. But her niche was very specific. She catered to the people who had enough money to fund having her in their corner. Though her clients were those mostly involved in illegal activity, her reputation had many and far trying to get representation from her. Gail Powers prided herself on having never lost a case.

Over lunch, Jonathan Sr. pulled out all the stops. He picked a restaurant that he felt would woo a woman like Gail. Though he was happily married, he thought that if he seduced Gail she would fall into his lap like everyone else.

During lunch, Jonathan didn't waste any time. "There will be a case soon where we're on opposite sides of the stand."

Gail smiled. "You don't think I've heard this same speech hundreds of times?" she chuckled. "What exactly is it that you're asking, Mr. Efron?"

"You do know that I'm on the Counsel Board?"

"I do."

"I would think that you would be trying to get on my good side if you want my vote for DA." Jonathan folded his arms. "If you want it, of course."

Gail smiled. "You mean to get in line like the others? Kiss the ground that you walk on so you can play favorites? If you know even the slightest about me then you know that will never happen."

"The type of clients you serve are pigs."

"Innocent until proven guilty," Gail added. "It's my job to not judge."

"As respectable as your integrity is to the law, your candor is very honorable." Jonathan continued. "However, there will be a time when we're up against one another and you'll gracefully bow out." Then he said, "Not for me, not for your clients, but to secure your spot as DA."

"I've never lost a case."

"Which is why when the time comes it will be so monumental." he shrugged. "Losing to an Efron isn't as shameful as you may think."

"I've worked hard, ten times harder as a woman to even be considered as a DA. I wouldn't dare throw away the blood, sweat, and tears to simply boost your ego."

"You need friends. Someone in your corner to take your career to the next level." Jonathan said, "Your future is very bright, Gail and it's very predictable. I see a future DA, then AUSA, Associate then Deputy Attorney General, USA, maybe even Attorney General. All I'm saying is I can help you get there."

Gail smiled. "This meeting was nothing but smoke and mirrors. Not the reaction that you hoped for. Instead, you showed me your hand. The intimidation, the fear that you can't beat me fair and square in court." she added. "It's belittling to the Efron name."

Jonathan Efron Sr. and Ruth had bigger fish to fry. While they were out saving the world, their family was slowly but surely falling apart.

Dalton wanted Shira to stand up to her parents. He even threatened that if she didn't, he'd do it for her. But she finally saw the potential that Dalton saw in her. Dropping out of MIT and going to Cosmetology school to become a hairstylist was no longer a pipe dream. When she got her approval email for Cosmetology school, her dream felt closer than ever.

Chuck and Jonathan Efron Jr. attended the same gym. They were the two gents who attended cycling wearing biking shorts and thermals while all the widows and single mothers scoped them out.

After drinking water from a glass bottle, Chuck told his brother, "You know your wife is very chatty when she's drunk."

"When did you talk to my wife?"

"Last night, she didn't tell you?"

Jonathan Efron Jr. drank from a plastic water bottle. "Must've slipped her mind. Any secrets worth sharing?"

"My lips will never tell...besides, I know everyone's secrets."

"Yet no one seems to know yours, how ironic."

"My secrets aren't nearly as exciting. It's our loving sister, Ariel that you should be concerned about."

"Meaning?"

"Fine, you forced it out of me," Chuck added. "Ariel failed the LSAT."

Jonathan Efron Jr. "What're you joking?"

"Why would I joke about that?"

"Mom and Dad might kill her."

"It's not the end of the world."

"You don't believe that." then he said. "And if you do, you're part of the problem. College's will see that she had to retake it. How do you think that will hold against her competition?"

"It will show that she's human and willing to do what it takes to put her best foot forward." Chuck laughed. "We can't all be picture-perfect like you, Jon."

Jonathan pondered. He was picture-perfect. He scored perfectly on his exam, just like his father. "Ariel's been babied for far too long. Then things like this happen."

"Tough crowd." Chuck sipped his water. "Whatever happened to free will in this family?" Though he loved his brother he knew how hard he tried to be perfect. But they both knew that if their parents had to pass the family business onto one sibling it wouldn't be either of them. The parent's favorite was Shira.

"It's overrated." Jonathan Efron Jr. tried hard to be better than his siblings. As the oldest he knew what was expected of him, the example he was supposed to set. Yet he always found himself falling short. Chuck didn't care that he was the black swan of the family. He enjoyed it. But Jonathan Efron Jr. tried hard to get his parents to look at him how they looked at Shira.