Dale
“… how are you old man?” My youngest brother Ralph greeted me, and already his eyes roamed to Amanda.
Maybe this is not a very good idea…
“Very good little man. How’re the parents?” Among my brothers he was the closest one to me, he gave me his man hug and greeted Amanda and Mable.
“Ah… Amanda, what a beautiful name, suits you perfectly. Oh… and Mable, what princess are you now?” he took her hand and kissed it playfully, then gave Mable his warm hug.
“Rapunzel…” Mable said never letting her hand off of Amanda, she was looking uncomfortable with the situation.
Maybe I should bring her here more often, but the bad feeling between me and my parents still leave me in a bitter mood. It was my way of letting them know, by not bringing their only grandchild to visit. I realized that it was childish, but I didn’t really care.
“Mmmh… I don’t think I’ve ever seen her movie before…” he smiled as he tries to make my kid feel welcome.
“… anyway the old folks are in the study having drinks with some guests, they’re going to join us later for dinner as always. Come, let’s introduce Amanda here to the rest of us.” He held out his hand to her, she hesitated for a second but then take his hand and follow to the other side of the room.
But I was not ready when I saw Natalie laughing with my brothers, fitting herself comfortably within their conversation.
“Dale darling…” Natalie greeted me with her sultry hug, never minding Amanda or Mable.
“Natalie…” I nodded while taking her hands off of my chest.
“… this is my girlfriend Amanda, and you know Mable already…” I was cautiously looking at Amanda, while Mable was in perfect silence looking at all of us, her hand was still gripping Amanda’s keeping her close.
“Ah… the girlfriend, hi there… I’m Natalie.” She held out her hand to Amanda smiling at her, while sneakily hooking her other hand on my arm like she was claiming me.
This is not going very well…
“Ah yes, the Natalie…” she looked at her coldly, while raising an eyebrow… damn if looks could kill, she’d be dead by now.
Suddenly the room fell quiet, all of my brothers were looking at the two women eagerly like they were waiting for a catfight that was about to happen.
“… Dale, told me about you. You can take your hand off of my boyfriend for a start…” she waited patiently until that awkward moment when Natalie finally released her claw off of me, then Amanda continues her words.
“… and mind your manners, I don’t know what you’re trying to prove in front of me, but I’m sure the scene is not suitable for Mable. Now Ralph… you said you’re going to introduce me to the rest…” she completely ignored Natalie, making her livid, she had never been this embarrassed in front of me and my brothers before.
“I’m going to the study! I’m sure your parents would like to meet her.” She muttered her words venomously while walking outside the lounge.
“Damn… woman, points for you!” Ralph laughed as he introduces Amanda to Larry and Tyler.
My brothers were impressed with Amanda, I never knew that she could handle herself so calmly. We were talking and having a friendly conversation. Mable was her cheerful self, once Amanda took her to sit on her lap and keep her close. I could see that she was putting Mable’s needs before hers, making her feel comfortable enough that she finally started eating and drinking the snacks that were laid out for our afternoon tea.
“… I say we should just close our branch office and cut our losses there if we could do it sooner preferably before the year ends…” Tyler was talking to Larry. They’re the closest, by one year only, they also look a like. Some even thought they’re twins.
I was taking Mable from Amanda as she was cutting the cake that Mable wanted. We were lounging and talking between ourselves, Tyler and Larry were busy with the family business, while I mainly converse with Ralph and Amanda.
She would chip in and talk about business, saying that her dad was making her go into business in her early college years. Didn’t expect that she was truly knowledgeable on the matter, I was surprised when she gives Tyler and Larry what I think was the best solution for the company.
“Have you ever consider buying out one of your small competitors? I’m just saying… rather than closing down the whole branch, give it one more kick before shutting it down. Pick the best competitor with the most driven owner, who would push your company so much further ahead.”
“Dale you got yourself a winner here…” Tyler said while he quickly types the idea on his phone, then Larry asks Amanda more questions as she gives Mable her cake. She kept him waiting until Mable was set, then starts scribbling her ideas in a piece of paper that she requested moments before.
“Damn… we had been busting our balls off for months now, you should’ve brought her sooner Dale…” Larry said excitedly.
She looked at Larry knowingly, her eyes were to Mable then he apologizes for his bad words.
Wow… Larry was the hot-headed careless one, never minding anyone, let alone being so quick in apologizing for his harsh words. She was definitely fitting in nicely with my brothers.
“What’s with all the ruckus…” father said as he came out of the study.
“Father, the branch office that we’ve been fussing about since the last couple of months. Well, Amanda here might just save it.” Larry smiled widely at him, as he welcomes him into the lounge.
“Tyler?” Obviously, he would ask Tyler, the head of the operational and completely ignoring Larry. But Larry was not offended, knowing already that this was how father does his work.
“It’s actually a good idea, I’ve had some suggestion in mind already we could go through it later. Why don’t you join us and meet Amanda, Dale’s girlfriend.” He stands up in respect and gave him a place to sit.
I stood up out of customary and greeted him, he hugged me and said that he missed me.
We used to be very close up until Ava came into my life. I know he was trying to mend things between us since her passing, but he knows that he was still walking on eggshells in mending our relationship.
“Dale, my son… how are you…”
“I’m good father, very good. Mable, honey… say hello to your grandfather.” I hugged him back and said that I missed him too, then ushered Mable to him.
“Mable… oh… look how big you’ve gotten…” she smiled hearing his words, and laughed when he twirled her like a princess, then she gave him a polite curtsy.
“And this is my girlfriend Amanda.” She stood up and smile at him.
“… ah, the Amanda. Welcome…” he looks at her appreciating her overall expensive appearance that she deliberately put on to please me. She knew that I wanted her to fit in with my family. Amanda was not oblivious to his once over. Then, after he seemingly approved he gave her a warm hug.
Amanda came from a wealthy family, yet she chose to be a painter and took the non-upscale kind of life. She was done with society after her marriage ended, while I was done with society when mine started.
She hugged him back, but I could see that she was having her own opinion about my father.
And to prove my thoughts, she looked at me and winked while giving me a big thumbs up behind his back. That gesture alone made me laughed out loud, it was like our own little joke that nobody understands. Tyler and Larry were looking at me weirdly.
Right then…