Chapter 13: 13
Tyler (10):
*sitting at the small apartment kitchen table
*Looks sad
Tyler's dad:
*brings chocolate cupcake with a lit candle to Tyler
Happy birthday buddy!
Quick, blow out your candle and make a wish!
Tyler(10):
*Squeezes eyes shut
I wish that Chris and I could be together always.
*Blows candle out
Tyler's dad:
*Looks hurt
*Looks annoyed
*Starts peeling the wrapper off of his own cupcake
You know Tyler, if you say your wish out loud…
It won't come true.
Tyler (10)
*Wide/terrified eyes
CAFE
*Tyler and his dad sit across from each other
*Each with iced coffees and chocolate cupcakes
Tyler's thoughts:
I actually don't like chocolate very much…
My boss let me go early since it's my birthday…
and probably because my dad was staring him down…
I should text Chris…
he was planning to pick me up from work…
Tyler:
*Texting: Hey. I'm at the cafe a block over.
With my dad.
I'll call you when I'm done here.
*Sends text
Chris:
*pulling up to book store
*Get's text while still in car
*Reads with a scowl
Chris's thoughts:
… he's… here…
Tyler:
*looking nervous
So, what brings you into town.
Tyler's dad:
*Smiles
To celebrate my son's eighteenth birthday.
Isn't that enough of a reason?
Tyler's thoughts:
Bullshit.
He hasn't been in town for one of my birthdays since…
Tyler:
*Clenches hands
You haven't celebrated any of my birthdays in person since I turned ten.
What's so different about this year?
Tyler's dad:
*Smirk
Yeah…
I would apologize for all of those missed birthdays…
but I was tired of being rejected by you…
Tyler:
*Shocked
You…
Feel rejected by me?
I'm not the one that left you with some other family to raise them.
Tyler��s dad:
*Calm
I don't really feel regrets about that either…
You turned out better than if you had stayed with me…
or any of your blood relatives…
And besides, you told me it's what you wanted.
Tyler:
Tch
*crosses arms
*Scowl
So what's so special about this birthday that a phone call wouldn't suffice?
Tyler's dad:
*Exhale
It's you're eighteenth birthday, you're officially an adult.
It's also your last year of high school, the year you should really be focusing on what you want to do with your life and how you plan to support yourself…
So… I think you deserve to know some truths, and to know what some of your options are for after high school.
Tyler's thoughts:
Truths?
Options?
Why are his words making me feel so… uncomfortable?
Tyler's dad:
I don't really want to beat around the bush, and a handsome kid like you, you probably have plans with friends and a girlfriend
or at the very least you and Chris…
Tyler's thoughts:
Girlfriend…
Chris…
This asshole doesn't know me at all… I wonder how he would react to Chris and I's relationship…
Tyler's dad:
First thing you need to know is that I am not single. Far from it actually. I've been married to a wonderful woman for the last seven years.
Tyler:
*Eyes wide
You… seven…
Tyler's dad:
There's more, so try to keep your responses until I'm done.
Tyler's thoughts:
What a prick…
I don't know him either… I'm not sure I want to…
Tyler's dad:
My wife and I have two children. Teagan is six and Theo is two.
Tyler's thoughts:
!!!
SIBLINGS?!
Tyler's dad:
That's the first thing I wanted you to know…
go ahead and share your responses.
Tyler:
*Clenched fists
Do they know I exist?
Tyler's dad:
… My wife does… we haven't ever told the kids…
Tyler:
*Hurt expression
Why are you telling me?
Tyler's dad:
That's… not exactly easy to answer without telling you the other things I came to tell you.
Tyler:
Then please continue.
Tyler's thoughts:
This doesn't feel like a father and son moment…
This feels like two strangers…
More like a job interview or recruitment…
Except for the fact that I am some kind of dirty secret for him…
Tyler's dad:
The company I work for was started by your mother's family.
That's actually how I met your mother…
Anyway, I own the company… or rather
*Pulls out an envelope
We own it.
Tyler:
*scans contents of letter
*confused
Huh?
Tyler's dad:
*Smirk
Your mother's Will states that upon turning eighteen you receive her shares in the family business.
Although, not all at once. She was scared of spoiling you with all of that money and possibly crushing you with any responsibilities to the business you may not want…
What it all boils down to is that after you graduate there is a place for you to come and work, and learn, to eventually take over and run the company alongside me and eventually with your siblings.
Tyler:
*Dark aura
… what does this have to do with learning about your other family?
Tyler's thoughts:
Does he spend time with them?
Or are they ignored like me?
Tyler's Dad:
If you choose to come and work with me, you'd be expected to live closer…
My wife.. and I would want you to meet your siblings and spend time with them.
Tyler:
Where do you live?
Tyler's dad:
Newark.
Tyler's thoughts:
… Chris… I could still be close to him… I could even support him…
Tyler's dad:
*Chuckle
It's been awhile, but it's nice to see you smile
Tyler:
*Soft smile
*Smile Fades
I have a lot to think about… and a lot of questions…
But first I need to discuss this with Chris…
Tyler's thoughts:
Shit…
Chris has always been a sore subject with dad…
And now…
Tyler's dad:
*Raises eyebrow
What does Christopher Masters have to do with your future?
Tyler's thoughts:
Did he seriously have to ask it like that?
I haven't discussed coming out to my dad with Chris yet…
because it never really crossed my mind…
Would he be upset if I do it without him?
Tyle:
*Looks up into the cafe and sees Chris inside ordering a coffee with a polite smile
*Smiles
Everything.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone