Chapter 3

I let out a furious snort. I thought. “The nerve of him. He steals from me and somehow, I’m the one being forgiven?”

How magnanimous of him.

“Get out. I will not have a thief in my house.”

When Diane heard us arguing in the living room, she hurried out to stop me.

“Honey, calm down. It was his first offense. Just give him one more chance. Besides, his wife walked out on him years ago. It couldn’t have been easy for a man to raise a daughter on his own. As a man yourself, don’t make things harder for another man.”

I was furious that Diane kept taking his side.

“If you feel that sorry for him, why don’t you just go marry him?”

Diane’s expression darkened too.

“I’m just asking you to stop coming at him so hard. Was that really necessary?”

“Coming at him? After everything he has done, you still expect me to keep him here? I’m his employer. I pay him to take care of me and this house. I didn’t pay him to act like he owns the place and make me miserable in my own home!”

“You are so arrogant. Do you really think money gives you the right to treat people however you want? Do you think having money gives you the right to trample all over someone else’s dignity?”

I was about to lash out at Diane when Christopher walked through the door.

I instantly reined in my temper and said through gritted teeth, “We’ll deal with this later.”

Since Christopher had grown up, school and work kept him busy. He rarely had time to come home.

I did not want to ruin Thanksgiving for him.

Even more than that, I did not want him to realize that Diane and I were fighting and worrying about things at home while he was away building his career.

So, I put on a smile and happily welcomed Christopher home.

I thought if I just bit my tongue, Cal would learn to stay in his lane. Instead, he started acting up again.

He replaced Christopher’s favorite beer with plain water and said, “Too much beer can mess with your sperm count. Nobody wants a man who can’t give them children. I’d like a lively house, so there had better be at least three kids.”

Christopher’s expression stiffened slightly.

Suppressing my anger, I sent Cal away.

“I made Christopher’s favorite roast turkey. It’s in the kitchen. Go bring it out.”

Christopher then cheerfully showed me his new sneakers.

“I got these limited editions through a personal shopper. Aren’t they cool?”

“Very cool!”

I praised them enthusiastically.

Just then, Cal came out carrying the turkey platter and made a face.

“Just buy the cheapest pair next time. Everyone online says guys who spend that much money on shoes and clothes and care so much about how they look are girlie divas.”

I was livid and ready to hurl insults, but Christopher gently shook my arm and said, “It’s okay, Dad. Don’t get worked up over someone who doesn’t matter. Check out what I brought you. They are souvenirs I picked up from my trip.”

When he took them out, the price tags were still attached.

They were all little handmade pieces, cute in their own way. More importantly, Christopher had chosen them carefully and brought them home for me, so I loved them.

I was about to offer my praise when Cal suddenly let out a shrill cry.

“Good heavens! A hundred-odd bucks for this piece of junk? I’d never take something like that even if you paid me, and you actually spent good money on it?

“Christopher, you need to watch your spending. Every penny you waste is money that belongs to your future wife. If you keep blowing money like this, who in their right mind would marry someone as irresponsible as you?

I had had enough. I roared, “Christopher can spend his money however he likes. I can afford to let him. Who asked for your opinion? I want you out now. Get out!”

Cal’s face turned sour.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

Cal pursed his lips and said, “An important guest is here. I’ll let this slide for now.”

An important guest?

Christopher and I exchanged a look, then we both turned to Diane.

Diane only shrugged, indicating that she knew nothing about it either.

While we were still puzzled, Cal went to open the door. The person he ushered in was his two-hundred-pound daughter, Becky.

Cal waved Christopher over.

“Christopher, come here. Meet your future wife.”

Christopher could no longer keep a straight face. He turned to me and asked, “Dad, what’s going on?”

I was so furious that I grabbed the nearest thing and threw it at Cal.