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Brenda wished her daughter would follow her directives like that just once without protesting. This group might be the answer to her prayers.
Royce distributed the grilled meat and vegetables, and Susan served Thai noodles with shrimp.
“We eat together. Have a seat.” The two brothers had set a long table for all their guests. “I left the bowls and warmers on the round table,” Royce said. “If you want salad or seconds, help yourself. The drinks, beer, and soft drinks are in the cooler on the floor.”
“Mia, you wanted to meet Royce,” Matt started with a grin. “Did you have a chance to talk to him?”
“I forgot all about it,” Mia admitted, her smile sheepish.
“How can anyone forget about me?” Royce groaned, a fake scowl marring his face.
More relaxed than she’d been in months, Mia laughed. “I was curious to know how you managed to convert your clean-shaven brother into another you.”
“Trust me, it wasn’t easy. But I claimed that women love bearded men.”
Mia snorted. “Unfortunately, he fell in with the only woman who hates beards.”
“Really?” Matt spun toward Brenda. “I’ll shave tomorrow.”
“No leave it. I… I like it.” Warmth invaded her cheeks.
“Leave your beard in place,” Royce ordered. “Brenda likes it. You look handsome, just like me.” They all laughed.
“You never shave yours, Royce?” Mia asked curiously.
Royce sobered. “I’d look hideous if I shaved or cut my hair, because of this.” He pulled his shoulder-length hair away revealing the three-inch scar.
Brenda and Mia gasped.
“Tell them how you got it,” Cory said.
“Tell them,” Tayla and Rick echoed.
“I’m not proud of it, but it allowed me to become friends with Susan who saved me.”
“Tell us, Royce,” Mia insisted.
He guzzled half his can of beer. “I was the black sheep of the family. At twenty, I dropped out of college and followed a girlfriend to Japan. After a few months, her father threw me out of his company, and the girl dumped me. I traveled to Taiwan, Honk Kong, the Philippines, and Cambodia where I met a woman who claimed to be a widow and invited me to Bangkok, Thailand. She helped me get a teaching job at her son’s school. After a few months of fun, a man caught us in… Huh, in a compromising position...in the school’s backyard.”
“Oh my God!” Brenda glanced at her daughter. “Spare us the details.”
Royce shrugged. “These kids have heard it all. They can teach you a few things. Anyhow, she murmured the man was her husband and ran to her car, screaming that I was trying to rape her. The man and two thugs ran after me and tripped me. Someone slashed my leg. I could hardly walk, yet I punched right and left, until a knife carved my cheek. With blood blinding me, I managed to hide in the bushes. They left.”
“And then?” Both Brenda and Mia asked.
“I called Susan who was a physical education teacher. She came to get me, kept me in her studio, and cleaned my wounds. I’ll be forever grateful to her for saving my life. I grew a bushy beard to hide the horrible scar and decided to return home and change my ways. I’m a reformed bad boy. I was lucky Dad’s paying for my education again, and Matt offered me room and board. Now, I study day and night. I finished my Bachelor of Science in computer engineering, and I’m working on my master’s and an MBA.”
“But you must’ve had so much fun during your wonderful trips in Asia,” Mia said.
He narrowed his eyes. “Try sleeping on the floor for a few years, eating any garbage you can put your hands on, working as a dishwasher in restaurants, trainer in a gym, driver, you name it, all low-paying jobs just to survive. Could you do it, Mia? How often have you washed dishes for the neighbors? Cleaned houses for a pittance? You think it’s fun, Mia? Then, I’ll hire you. You can start cleaning my room tomorrow for two dollars.”
She gasped. “No way.”
“Then shut up and don’t tell me it’s fun. I’m not a nice guy. I’ve suffered too much from my stupidity to be a nice guy. You’re welcome to try.”
No one had ever spoken to Mia with such rudeness. Brenda was about to protest when Susan reached for Royce’s hand.
“You paid for your mistakes, Royce. We’re free to make our own choices, but we have to accept the consequences.”
