Chapter 4 - The Family Account
The waiter approached carrying another bottle of wine.
Eric pointed toward the empty glass beside him.
“That’s the reserve bottle, right?”
“Yes, sir.”
Eric smiled toward the relatives.
“This one costs more than Claire’s first car.”
Several people laughed politely.
Claire did not.
Her first car had carried her through college, two jobs, a divorce, and Noah’s first three years. She sold it only after the transmission failed for the second time.
The wine cost nearly nine hundred dollars.
The waiter placed it carefully on the table.
Claire asked, “Which card is covering tonight?”
Eric glanced at her.
“The family account.”
“You brought the card?”
“Mom keeps it on file.”
Patricia looked irritated.
“Why are you asking?”
“Because I want to know.”
Eric waved his hand.
“It’s family money.”
“No,” Claire said. “It’s my money.”
The relatives went quiet.
Eric laughed once.
“You don’t own the family.”
“I own the account.”
Patricia’s face tightened.
“You opened it for us.”
“I opened it for medical emergencies.”
“This dinner is for your father.”
“His retirement is not a medical emergency.”
Leonard finally looked up.
“We thought you’d be happy to contribute.”
“You didn’t ask me.”
“Family shouldn’t need permission for every little thing.”
Claire looked at the unopened wine.
“This is not a little thing.”
Eric leaned forward.
“You’re really going to count dollars at Dad’s retirement dinner?”
May you like
Claire glanced at Noah’s hotdog.
“You started counting when you decided my son wasn’t worth ordering for.”
