The Armstrong Brothers
Bradley
Well, you told us to come home quick.
Adam
What's this all about? I'm a busy man, you know?
Bradley
Busy with what exactly? Drinking in bars and flirting with women?
Adam
Hold on, Mr. Perfect. Not all of us are born to be the next CEO of Nextgen. *laughs*
Adam
That shit is your problem, not mine.
Mr. Jeff
Will the two of you cut it out already?
Bradley
You could at least act more mature and do something productive like starting your own business.
Adam
You sound just like dad, you know? Business this, business that, all you care about is money.
Bradley
I care about MAKING money unlike you who just WASTES money.
Finn
Please calm down, sir.
Bradley and Adam looked at Finn with curiosity.
Bradley
Your new friend, dad?
Adam
Aren't you a bit too old to make young friends?
Mr. Jeff
*sighs* The reason why I called you three--- Where's your other brother?
*Loud footsteps gets closer*
Henry
Sorry I'm late! There was a small problem at the shop, but everything's good now.
Adam
Tinkering with cars again?
Henry
I'm in the middle of inventing something useful. You wouldn't get it.
Bradley
Fun is the only thing this guy knows how to do.
Adam
At least I AM fun. Unlike this robot right here *points at Bradley*
Jeff got their attention especially Henry. He didn't expect to see a familiar face sitting beside his dad.
Henry
Yeah. He collects scraps and sell them to me.
Mr. Jeff
You collect scraps?
Finn
Y-yes, sir. In order to survive, I help my grandma collect pieces of scraps and sell them to Henry. He pays me per bag.
Mr. Jeff
And how much do you pay him, Henry?
Henry
Ten dollars per bag.
Mr. Jeff
And how many bags do you sell to him?
Finn
Six bags a week. But I only got to fill 4 bags this week because my body got weaker all of a sudden. But he paid me the same price as six bags, so I'm very thankful for that.
Mr. Jeff
How long has he worked for you?
Henry
I wouldn't really say that he works FOR me. I didn't employ him but since he needed a job I accepted the scraps he sold me. It started a few years ago.
Mr. Jeff
But you never mentioned him to me even once?
Henry
Just as you always say, right? I keep my professional life separate from my personal life. Whatever happens in my shop doesn't really concern any of you.
Adam
Will you just tell us why we're all here right now like some kind of family reunion?
Mr. Jeff
I kept trying to but all of you keep interrupting me.
Mr. Jeff
Anyway, the reason why I called you three is that I have an announcement.
Mr. Jeff
You see, from this day on... Finn is already part of the family.
The brothers went quiet and Finn felt like a huge boulder was placed on his shoulders.
Bradley
You... Adopted him?
Henry
But he has a grandma... What did she say to this?
Mr. Jeff
Actually... She sold him to me.
Henry
I knew she was a *****.
Bradley
Dad... What came into your mind and made you decide to buy a kid?
Mr. Jeff
I already explained this to Finn... I didn't "buy" him because I needed a servant or a slave. I took him in because he wasn't in good hands. His grandma had the audacity to sell him to a stranger.
Bradley
But that doesn't mean YOU have to take him in. Why not let others buy him instead?
Mr. Jeff
And what? Let bad people do cruel things to him and make his life worse?
Mr. Jeff
Finn is skinny, freezes during winter, hasn't eaten anything in his entire life other than canned beans, and worst of all, had never experienced the love of family.
Mr. Jeff
How could you be so sure that others can give him a better life like I can?
Henry
It's very kind and noble of you to adopt him, dad... But why do you want another child? Are you tired of us?
Mr. Jeff
He is not to be my son... He's my grandson.
Mr. Jeff
I kept asking the three of you to marry and give me a grandchild before I die... But none of you listened to me so, I adopted Finn and now he is to be my grandson.
Henry
So he's like... Our nephew?
Mr. Jeff
Nephew or son, you decide.
Adam
This is fucked up. You barely even know the kid!
Bradley
Seems like Henry knows him more than you do, dad.
Finn
(They're fighting because of me)
Maria
The cookies and milk are ready. Shall I bring them in?
Mr. Jeff
You know what? How about you escort Finn to the guests' room first, Maria. He'll eat his snacks there and can rest after. I still have to talk with my sons.
Mr. Jeff
Is that okay with you, Finn?
Finn stood up and followed Maria to the guests' room. He could only hear their footsteps as they walk through the corridors.
Finn
Don't they get along with each other?
Maria
They're all too different from each other, you see? They have different likes and dislikes, they grew up apart since they have different mothers.
Finn
They're not like... Pure brothers?
Maria
No, they're not. Mr. Jeff married Bradley's mother but had two mistresses, Henry and Adam's mothers.
Maria
But Mr. Jeff loved all of them equally. Though they don't treat each other like brothers. More like competition, actually.
Finn
No wonder why they're so distant despite being brothers.
Back at the living room...
Bradley
Are you sure about this, dad?
Bradley
It's not too late to back out.
Mr. Jeff
I've made up my mind. He will live in this house as family whether you like it or not.
Henry
At least he's safe here.
Adam
You like the kid or something?
Henry
You have no idea what the kid went through. I'm just trying to look out for him.
Adam
Well aren't you nice? You could be his dad, you know?
Bradley
Well, looks like we can't change your mind anymore.
Bradley
So, what are you going to do now? Change his surname to Armstrong?
Mr. Jeff
I'm going to give him time to adapt here first. I don't want to rush things and make him uncomfortable. So, I want the three of you to be in your best behavior around him and treat him like your nephew.
Adam
Fine, whatever. As long as he doesn't step into my room without permission.
Bradley
Why? Are you afraid he'll see your indecent magazines lying on the floor?
Adam
The way you say it makes you look like a ******.
Adam
"Indecent magazines" bro it's called "*****".
Bradley
Is this the issue here?
Adam
Don't be too rough on him. *smirks*
Henry
*flips his middle finger*
Finn
Wow! This room is very neat and the bed is so soft.
Maria
I'm glad you're enjoying your stay so far.
Maria
Please, eat the cookies while they're still warm. You can dip them on the milk as well. It's kinda like the norm.
Finn took a cookie and dipped it in milk. He took a bite and his eyes widened with delight.
Finn
This tastes so good! It's sweet and chewy!
Finn
Thank you for preparing this for me, Maria.
Maria
My pleasure, Finn. Well, I have to continue my chores. I will take my leave now.
Finn continued eating his cookies and soon after he was full. He never felt so stuffed before.
Comments