Chapter 19: Bob
*Some people are so poor, all they have is money. – Bob Marley*
JD looked at the message from his dad asking him to call. He never did this. Certainly never texted him during school. Walking away from the group of friends, he called his dad.
“What are you doing?” Bob asked.
“I’m at school.” JD replied as if it was the most obvious thing. Which, since it was Tuesday morning at nine thirty, it was.
“Oh. I thought you graduated.”
“In May.” The teen said as the bell rang. “I’ve got to get to class.”
“Oh, well, call me when you’re done. We’ll grab lunch.”
JD pulled his phone away and looked at it as if the object was stupid. Shaking his head, he held the phone back up to his ear. “I get out at four. It’s high school.”
“Okay. Dinner?”
“Fine. I’ll check with mom.”
“Why?”
“Because unlike some people, I go home every night. Text me when and where.” Rolling his eyes, JD ended the call.
Shoving his phone back into his pocket, he walked into the classroom and went to his history teacher and swim coach. “I was on the phone with my dad. Sorry.”
“Everything OK?”
“I don’t know. He never calls.”
“Go call your mom.” She smiled at him.
“Thanks, coach.” He nodded and walked back out of the room. He went to a small atrium and called his mom.
“Hey, sweetie, is everything OK?” Helen asked over the phone.
“It’s all good, mom. Dad called me.”
“During school? Is something wrong? Is the baby OK?”
JD smiled. Bob had cheated on her for their whole marriage. Had kids with other women. Left her for a woman younger than Jaxon. And yet, she was concerned about his baby.
“He wants me to go to dinner.”
“I’m going to the gym after work. I’ll just grab a salad or something.”
“OK. Love you, mom.”
“Love you, too.”
JD went back to history class to learn about how the Magna Carta influenced the American constitution. And then lunch followed by physics, calculus and then swim practice. At some point, he got a text telling him to meet his dad and step mom at Pier and Beam.
Pier and Beam was a high end seafood restaurant that sat over water at the end of a Pier on Lake Mascorro. He was not a big fan of most fish, but he could certainly tear into red fish or salmon.
After swim practice, he went home to change into a nicer outfit. Bob was a prick and would not appreciate being seen with his son in faded jeans and a t-shirt. JD grabbed a quick shower and then pulled on what he called his swim meet outfit.
Khaki pants, dark blue Oxford shirt and slip on dress shoes. Coach insisted on a tie. Bob was not getting one.
JD arrived at the restaurant and found a place to park. Bob would have used the valet service. JD did not have the money for it. Only recently did he discover how hard his mom worked to make sure that he had everything that he needed.
And to be able make sure he had everything he wanted for his senior year.
Class ring.
Invitations.
Prom tickets.
Spending money at competitions.
Football game tickets and spending money.
Bunny was right, he was a selfish jerk.
On the other end of the spectrum was Bob. Bob had to have the newest and nicest of everything. He leased his cars and received a new one when the next year model was released. Tailored suits and monogrammed shirts.
He was important. Even if it was only in his own mind.
It was no surprise when Bob was tipping everyone and telling JD to order whatever. Even suggested whiskey. Like an eighteen year old should have whiskey and then drive. He wondered if his dad had always been like this and as a kid he had never noticed.
“So, your dad tells me that you’re a mechanic.” Summer smiled at JD as the meal was served.
“No, ma’am. I’m still in high school. Jaxon is the mechanic.” He replied kindly, thinking that she just had them confused.
“Sorry, I promise I’ll get you all sorted out. You’re going to school to be a teacher?”
“No, ma’am. That’s my sister, Jolene. She’s married to a cop. I’m going to the Navy in July.”
Bob grumbled something and motioned for another drink. The waitress nodded and disappeared. “At least you’re doing something with your life.”
That was pretty much the whole meal. Summer trying to get to know him. JD being polite. Bob drinking more than he should and making snide comments.
The woman was only four years older than himself, between Jaxon and Jolene, but was trying to be a good stepmother. JD didn’t have the heart to tell her it was not necessary.
Maybe they could just be friends. He did want to be in his little brother’s life. Or was it a sister? He couldn’t remember Bob ever saying. Which made JD think it was probably a girl.
Summer asked about Helen and JD told her that his mom had started going to the gym. He was proud of her. After the first visit, she had almost quit. But her new friend, Owen, had talked her into trying again. Now, a month later, you were really starting to see a difference.
Bob flagged the waitress down for yet another drink. Dessert was brought out by a large man in a black long sleeve shirt and gray slacks. Tattoos peeked out at his cuffs and collar. Bob dismissed him easily enough. Whoever had hired someone that had tattoos should be reprimanded.
“Sir, I will be more than glad to get you another drink, but the bar has cut you off.” The man said placing cheesecake in front of the three.
“I demand that you serve me.” Bob slurred.
“I’m afraid, I can’t.”
“You’ll regret that!” Bob said standing up. His head barely topped the large man’s shoulders. “I know the owner.”
“Uh-huh.” The man said crossing his arms.
As if summoned, the manager appeared. “Do we have a problem?”
“This overgrown baboon won’t serve me!”
“I believe that the bartender has cut you off, sir.” The woman said.
“I know the owner!” Bob screamed.
“Would you like me to call the owner?” she asked with a grin.
“That won’t be necessary.” Bob mumbled.
“Oh, no. If you are unsatisfied with your service or food, Mr. Reese would want to know.” She said sweetly as she dialed her phone.
The large man just smiled at Bob as he answered his phone. “Reese.”
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