"Are you sure about this, Dad?" Don Eppes eyed the restaurant menu with a wary gaze.
"Trust me. As I told you both before, I am taking you two out to dinner and I am ordering. Trust me, you'll love it. Now, you two wait here while I go place the order." Before either son could object, Alan looked at his sons with amusement then located the waiter and placed his order.
"What has gotten into dad?" Asked Charlie. Don just shrugged as Alan came back with a satisfied smile on his face.
"What did you order us, anyway?" Asked Charlie.
"Fish," was the only response from the eldest Eppes. Don rolled his eyes.
"We're in Los Angeles at a sea food restaurant, what kind?" Alan was saved from interrupting by their food arriving. The three soon were well into their meal, Don talking about work, Charlie about math and both joking with their dad.
It was only when they were on their way home that Don asked again, "What did we have tonight, Dad? It was good." Alan smiled.
"Octopus." Silence reigned in the car for a full minute.
"Oh, well I guess it wasn't that bad," remarked Don. "What about you, Charlie? Still like it?" When there was no response forthcoming from the backseat Don twisted his head around to look at his little brother.
"Chuck, you o.k.?" Charlie was starting to look green.
"We h-had octopus tonight?" His voice was small.
"Yeah, octopus. Pretty good stuff, eh?"
"Dad, will you pull over for a minute? Please!" His voice rose a notch. Alan pulled the car over to the side of the road and Charlie bolted.
"What was that all about?" Questioned Alan. Don chuckled quietly.
"I don't think Charlie like's octopus." Charlie returned to the car a few minutes later, looking miserable. He looked up and watched his brother and father as they laughed at him.
"Oh shut up," he snapped irritably. Don and Alan only laughed harder as Alan once again pulled back into traffic. Charlie closed his eyes and concentrated on numbers for the rest of the drive home, but it couldn't quite block out the silent laughter from the front seat.