Infection

Chapter Two

"Heh, heh, heh," my father chuckled. "Raymond, you sure do know the best jokes."

Turns out our big suprise gusets were my dad's siblings: my aunt Gabbie and uncle Raymond. Which explains why my mom was so unhappy earlier, she hates dad's brother and sister.

And now, halfway through dinner, I still have no clue what business they have with my father. I hope they get to the point soon...

"So," said my mom with a nervous titter. Everyone stared at her, she hadn't spoken at all through dinner. "What brings you to our home? Alex isn't in trouble is he?" She put on her best concerned face, but the sarcasm and annoyance showed through.

"No," heaved Uncle Raymond, he hates mom's nickname for dad. "Alexander is in no trouble. But..."

"But, what?" interjected my dad.

"It's the business," chimed in Aunt Gabbie. "The family business."

"Yes, I know of it! What about it?"

"Well..." sighed Uncle Raymond. "Here's the thing. The business is falling apart. Ever since Dad died last year, we've been losing money left and right."

"What does that have to do with me?"

"You're the only one left," pitched Aunt Gabbie. "Who knows how to handle money. You know Raymond and myself don't know how to deal with money."

My dad just stared at her stonily. My mom's eyes were round, her fork stopped halfway to her mouth.

"In otherwords," exclaimed Uncle Raymond. "We need your help! Come back to the business!"

No one could believe what Aunt Gabbie and Uncle Raymond were asking Dad to do.

Twenty years ago, when my dad met and married my mom, he walked out on the business his dad, my grandfather, was starting. He wanted no part of my grandpa's tree cutting business. Dad was never one for outdoor activities.

Grandpa was known for not making the wisest monetary decisions. So when business boomed and became a multi-million dollar company, everyone was shocked. Pa's Trees Be Gone became the number one tree cutters on the East coast. Business was great.

When Grandpa died last year, enormous inheritances were left to his wife, kids, and grandkids. The business was left to Aunt Gabbie and Uncle Raymond who had also inherited Grandpa's skills with money.

Grandma and Dad were the only ones who truly knew how to handle money. When Grandpa died, Grandma quit working part time for the company and Aunt Gabbie and Uncle Raymond were left to fend for themselves in the business world.

They obviously used their inheritances to keep business afloat. They must have run out of money if they flew all the way out here to get dad's help.

"No."

"What?" Aunt Gabbie sputtered.

"I said, no," Dad narrowed his eyes. Even if his siblings got down on bended knees and begged, he would never go back to the business.

"B...but you can't just walk out on us!" Uncle Raymond exclaimed, smacking the table, causing the plates to jump. "We're your family..."

"And family helps one another," Dad mocked. "I know this speech. Dad gave me the exact same speech twenty years ago when I walked out to start a family with Mary-Beth, The speech didn't work on me then and it won't work on me now." He crossed his arms over his chest.

"Now see here Alexander," started Aunt Gabbie.

"No!" interjected my mother. "You listen here. You're currently guests in our home."

"Mary-Beth," my dad warned.

"No," said Uncle Raymond. "Let her finish."

"Thank you," my mom nodded curtly. "Now, I've graciously put up with you pestering Alexander about coming back to the business before he's given his answer, but he's said no. In our household, no means no. So when you head off to the airport tomorrow, Alex won't be coming with you. And if you continue to bug him about coming with you, you'll be sent packing, tonight. Am I clear?"

Everyone just stared at her. It was the longest speech she'd ever made to Aunt Gabbie and Uncle Raymond; normally she barely says two words to them.

"I said, AM I CLEAR?"

"Yes, Mary-Beth," squeaked Uncle Raymond and Aunt Gabbie.

"Now that's settled," my mom picked up her napkin and patted her mouth. "Let's all enjoy this wonderful dinner that Julie prepared for us."

For the next few minutes, everyone ate in silence. The only sounds were the clanking of silverware against bowls and the occasional car passing by outside, bass booming.

"So Ray," said Aunt Gabbie, trying to ease the tension. "How's your first year of high school?"

"I'm a sophomore now, Aunt Gabbie," I replied. "So I'm in my second year of high school. To answer your question though, it's exactly like last year, only the classes are more difficult and I have more homework. But it's Tyler's first year of middle school." I nonchalantly passed the attention off myself and to Tyler. The twerp probably won't be happy about this later.

"Really?" asked Uncle Raymond. "You're already in 6th grade?"

"Yes, sir," said Tyler, glaring at me across the table. "I started 6th grade this year. Yes, it's different from elementary school. The schedule is different, the classes are harder, and the social network is more complicated."

"Oh it is, is it?" questioned my dad.

"Oh, yes!" Tyler exclaimed. "People are nastier to each other, spreading untrue rumors..."

He continued on a long rampage about how cruel middle schoolers can be to one another. I tuned him out though, watching my mother and father instead. They seemed to have tuned Tyler out as well and were having an unspoken conversation. My dad looked like he was pleading with my mother who just looked seriously annoyed. They were probably arguing about the pool rule again. Dad believes the swimming after dinner is a great way to stay fit, but for some reason, Mom is dead set against it.

Just then my stomach growled, but I'd already finished off the salad, all that's left is the chicken casserole. I can't eat it because of the chicken, but I'm so hungry.

I try to focus back in on the conversation, hoping to distract myself from the hunger. It doesn't work, the twerp's breakdown of popularity has me zoned out again in seconds.

Maybe I can eat around the chicken, just eat the rice, I thought. With my hand shaking, I grab the spoon for the casserole. Instantly, I feel Tyler's eyes on me watching what I plan to do with his favorite food.

I slowly scoop a bit of casserole onto my plate, trying not to look at the little chuncks of chicken meat. Tyler's voice drops in volume as the food hits my plate, like someone lowering the volume on the TV. I lift up my untouched spoon and take a deep breath.

Suddenly, the smell of the cooked meat hits me and it smells so... Good! I scoop up a spoonful, chicken and all, and pop it into my mouth. My mother's spoon falls from her hand, clacking against the plate and Tyler quit talking all together.

I swallowed the bite and excused myself. I ran up to my room, locking the door behind me. My breathing was shallow as reality hit me: after four years of being a vegetarian, I had just eaten meat.