LUKE
Sometimes I wonder what I do to upset them. I mean sure I didn’t go into the corporate world, but I am still successful. Sitting at this table I am reminded of how much they avoid talking to me. They avoid really asking me how the Bar is going. They pretty much act like I don’t exist.
Well, except Jasmine. “So, I hear business is booming.” She beams at me from across the table. We are sitting closest to Dad, which is a feat in and of itself because Dad doesn’t approve of how either of us live our lives. Jasmine is my little sister, the closest of my siblings. Pretty much she has all of her brothers wrapped around her fingers, but she is the youngest.
I cough a little as the attention turns to me. “Yeah, we are doing pretty good. I had to hire a new bartender. I am thinking of expanding the grill.”
My dad makes a humph sound. “Sounds like you are catering to the underbelly of the city.” Dad in general is a grumpy man. He always seems to have a stern look on his face. I am not sure it ever really changes.
“Dad.” Jasmine protests in shock. But it’s not something that I haven’t heard before. Jasmine is usually the only one that stands up for me.
Isabelle chimes in. “I go there sometimes. That’s where Alex and I like to go after work. I don’t think it is exactly the underbelly. The place is actually fun and a nice place to hang out.” She almost sounds surprised though, so that takes a little of the delight out of it. Isabelle is my older sister, she has always tried to look out for me. I love her for it, but I also feel that I am sometimes the last one that anyone thinks about.
My dad shakes his head. “That’s nice and all, but any place that caters to people standing around drinking all day is not a place that breeds happiness.”
Alex helps a little. “Well, I hate to tell you this, but not everyone there hangs out all day. Actually I don’t really know anyone that does. It is considered a great date spot. With the grill that Luke added in, it’s really become a popular place. Not that it wasn’t before he took over but now it is really the place to be. If you want all day drunks there are a few places in town to find them, but Eden Bar isn’t one of them. It never was.” Alex is Isabelle’s husband. He’s alright and he never seems to shy away from giving his opinion. I happen to like him.
“Are you trying to say that my son peddling alcohol all day is a good use of his time?” My dad glares at Alex. My dad is still getting used to him, but I think he likes him.
“What I am saying is that Luke has built up a successful business and you should be proud of that.” Alex never has backed down to Dad and I appreciate that. You have to admire a man that doesn’t back down to my father.
Finally William adds his two cents. “I think Luke is doing a great job. He has a successful business and he keeps his nose clean. I mean honestly, what more could you ask out of your son?” William is my older brother, he was right before me. The only reason why he is even saying something now is because we had a deal. I helped him out with something and he stood up to dad for me.
Not exactly what I was hoping for, but it’s good enough.
Dad is still shaking his head. “He should have taken his education more seriously then he could be working with David. That is the empire that built this family. Not some bar.” David is our oldest brother and almost the spitting image of Dad. He has done everything that Dad ever wanted him to do. The rest of us just never measured up.
Justin bristles. “So you look down on me now because I ventured off on my own is that it?” Justin was after David and it always seemed like he was in his shadow.
Hannah rubs his shoulder. “I am sure that isn’t what he meant.” Hannah is Justin’s wife.
I turn to Dad. “I’m sorry I’m such a disappointment to you. But maybe you need to look around at your family before you cast so many damn judgments. Your family loves you and everyone at this table does a damn great job at everything that they do. Sure we don’t all work for the company that you built. But you had six kids, you had to expect that not all of us would want to do the same thing. Or were you just building an army of you to go build your corporate dream. Well, I’m sorry but I am not going to fit in your mold. Ever.” I stand from my seat and tuck my seat in. “I think I am full. I’ll see you guys later.”
As I am leaving the room, I hear my mom scolding my dad. “Really James, you couldn’t hold your tongue. Now look at what you did. I would like to have dinner with my son at least. We never see him otherwise. But you have to chase him off.” Sure she sounds like she cares, but she isn’t actually saying that she is proud of me. It’s more like I ruined her dinner than that he said something wrong. I am sure it is a topic that they bring up a lot.
As I am leaving I feel a hand on my back. “Hey, don’t let him get you down.”
I turn and see Jasmine’s smiling face. “I know. I’m used to it. I guess I just wonder what the hell I did to piss him off so much. I mean it is a bar, not a strip club. I just don’t get it.”
“Look Dad is stuck in his ways. He doesn’t really seem to care about anything but the business and how that makes the family look. But think about it, Grandpa was the worst. All he cared about was the Wright name and how it looked in this town. I am sure that most of Dad’s attitude is because of that. I don’t think Dad is actually that upset with what you have done with your life.”
“Yeah, and how are those matchmaking dates going?” Our parents have been trying to settle down Jasmine. Their idea is to get her married as soon as possible.
She rolls her eyes. “Yeah, I see your point. I do it to keep them a little off my back. There is no way I am marrying some stuffed shirt. I am sure they know it too.” She grins.
“I just for once would like it if he looked at me and said good job. Or any praise. It’s like I am the last son and the last one on his mind. At least you get the baby treatment. It’s like I am forgotten. I will always be in the shadow of my older brothers. I thought maybe if I could step out on my own, that he would notice. That he would care that I am a person too. But it’s like I just stepped into some black hole that he doesn’t even want to look in. I just don’t know what to do to get through to him.”
Jasmine gives me her concerned look. “I wouldn’t worry about Dad and his expectations. Just live your life. Dad will come around eventually. Don’t let him drag you down. Just do you. You are successful and don’t let his attitude convince you that you aren’t. You can’t please everyone all the time.”
“I would just like to please him once. Just once.”
Jasmine hugs me. “Don’t even worry about it. I think you are the best big brother. Just don’t tell the others.” She chuckles a little and I do too.
“Thanks Jasmine. I’m going to head back. I have some inventory to log. I’ll see you later.”
“Don’t be a stranger. You know you are the light of my month.”
I laugh. “That has to be depressing.”
“You have no idea.”