“My brother didn't feel like getting dressed up like an asshole, talking to the assholes you invited, while they ask him what kind of retard he is,” Micah said, trying not to smile as his grandmother blushed.“He did request thatAbuelosend him a few steaks, the thick ones.”
“What?I am shocked by such language,” Anya said.“I am also surprised he didn’t want to be here this weekend.”
“Why?You don't like him, or me for that matter,” Micah said.“We don't like you either, but I wanted to see Yuñior and the kids.Alita wanted to see her parents, so I will check the little boxes of your annual gala of rich people's nonsense and get back to my life.”
“You don't like me?”Anya said, genuinely shocked.
“Don't feel bad, I don't like him either,” Micah said, pointing at his grandfather, then looked towards the kitchen, “Chef knew I was arriving.Did he make me the shrimp that I like?I could eat something.”
“He did,” Anya said, “Well, I guess discussing the seating arrangements with you is not necessary.”
“Nope, Alita will be my plus one and seated on my left,” Micah said, staring into his grandmother's eyes, daring her to challenge him.
“And if I say no to your request?”Anya asked.
“My father's plane is on the tarmac, and I will get on it and go home,” Micah said.“My being here is a courtesy, not a requirement.”
Anya swallowed hard, looking at Micah with fresh eyes.“I assume Alita has the required attire for the gala?”
“She has been outfitted by the same person who dresses Diadra,” Micah said, grateful to Tim Johnson.“There are stupid dresses to coordinate with my tuxedos, an unneeded shad belly to ride with me during the fox hunt, and a tea dress for the afternoon slurp fest with the braying cattleAbuelois attempting to purchase for me to marry and breed with as well.Anything further from you two?”
“I guess not,” Anya said.
He walked away, knowing he'd gone too far, but his guns were loaded, and this weekend, he was shooting down all the clay pigeons.The fear he often felt coming here was replaced with a new sense of courage.
“2584, 4181, 6765,” he said, heading towards the kitchens.Perhaps the weekend wouldn't be so bad after all.
“What has gotten into him?”Anya asked.
“He's creating his own path,” Eleon said, watching Micah’s back walk away.“We underestimated that one.Totally underestimated him on all fronts.”
They stood in silence, uncertain what to say or how to proceed.Sadness engulfed Eleon at the loss of his own only son and Anya's inability to give him more.He'd hoped to build the rest of his empire with all of his grandsons, but Micah had let him know in a conversation laced with cogency, that he was building with his own father.He went to his office and closed his door.He needed a moment to process everything his grandson had said to him.What stuck in his mind was the statement, ‘I am a mutherfucker that nurses a grudge until the tit is dry and spitting dust.’It hit home, and for a moment, fear entered his heart because he'd seen Micah’s intense focus when he was trying to get a thing completed.Eleon could not imagine that amount of focus aimed at a person he despised.
****
IN THE KITCHEN, MICAHcame face to face with his big brother.“Hermano!”he shouted, embracing Yuñior, who'd come to the kitchens to gather snacks for his kids.“How are you?”
“Tired,” Yuñior said.“It seems there is no end to how much children eat and poop.In one end and out the other, then you spend the rest of the day changing little dirty socks and clothes.How are you, and where is Angel?”
“Lady Bird is foaling.New chicks.New ducks, plus he didn't want to be here eating food he couldn't pronounce off tiny crackers,” Micah said.“It will probably be my last visit as well.”
Yuñior looked up.“Is there something wrong?”
“No, my life is in Colombia,” Micah said.“My goal is to complete Uni and stay on to take over for Papa.He worked hard to give us a solid, rich life.In his old age, I wish to surround him with my children and care for him.”
His brother looked at him.“Understood.”
“Hey, I got accepted to Uni in Bogotá and got a flat,” Micah said.“It has four bedrooms, so let me know what kind of toys to get for your kids so that when you and Diadra come for a visit, they will have stuff already there, lessening the number of things she’d need to pack.”
Yuñior arched an eyebrow, “You'd do that for us?”
“Man, I know you get sick of being here,” Micah said.“I hate this place, so I will have a place of my own, and you can come hang with me.The flat has a covered patio so Papa can grill his sausages.He likes the patio a lot.Mami is giving Alita some funds to furnish it since there are four bedrooms, but I don't like a lot a clutter, so she can put that foofy shit in her bedroom and bathroom.I don't want my balls smelling like lemons and cinnamon.”
Yuñior laughed.“I missed you, Micah.”
“I am here because I miss you and Diadra and my niece and nephew,” he said.“I did bring gifts for them.”
“Is there anything you will need for Uni?”
