“It was fun getting food for our freezers. It beats starving. How’s the local grocery stores where you live?” he asked, making a point.
And Ethan got it.
“Good, I guess. Gene does the shopping. We hunt for different things.”
That they did.
“I’m glad you came back, even if it was only for a day,” Timothy said. “I’m sorry, it was work-stress related,” he offered.
And the second he said it, Ethan focused on him, and his blue-black eyes filled with irritation.
Well, this was about to go bad.
“Again, that’s off the table for conversation, Timothy. I’m not discussing that with you. Stay out of my personal issues.”
Ouch.
It was said sharply.
Before Gene or Callen could play peacemaker, Timothy went there.
“Son, you will watch your tone.”
OOF.
And now, Gene was getting antsy. He hated when people called Ethan‘son’, even if it wasn’t racially motivated. It made his man feel like he was less than them.
And he wasn’t.
Only, before he could say anything, Ethan went there.
“Why is it, Timothy, that we have to watch our tone, but you get to meddle and poke your fingers into our lives without repercussions? Answer me that, Great Shaman. How is someone so good at helping people so bad at helping his family?”
Callen closed his eyes.
Here they went.
Ethan was off to the races, and he knew the exact right button to push to infuriate Timothy.
It wasn’t easy, but Ethan was a pro.
“You can’t help those who don’t want to help themselves,” Timothy admitted. “I stopped trying when I saw that it would get my hand bit off by the family.”
“Man, I’m hungry,” Callen stated.
Gene jumped in.
“I’ve never had an elk roast,” he offered. “Maybe we should all have some beer. Jack? Jose? Jim?” he offered, desperately.
On that, Callen agreed.
This was about to blow up.
“Anyway, I’ll be heading out tomorrow,” Ethan offered. “I will go see my mother’s grave, and then I’m out. So, you don’t have to worry about the family-induced rabies I carry.”
Timothy stared at his grandson.
Oh, he was his father’s child. Ethan didn’t realize he got his spite, anger, and rage from the men who came before them, and he’d not realize it for a very long time.
