Jamie filled himself up on waffles, and while he chewed on the food, he also mulled over this new information. Sometimes Chuck said things or did things Jamie didn't like, but he'd always thought he'd just have to deal with it, since Chuck was his friend and that was that. He decided it was worth asking his dad about, so he told his mom he'd like to go to the River Court to see him.
They found Nathan in the middle of a one on one game with Skills Taylor, Jamie's Uncle and friend of the family. "Uncle Skills, Dad!" he called out as he jumped out of the car. "J-man," they both replied happily. Jamie ran up to them both, giving his Uncle Skills a high five and his dad a hug. "I came to ask you about Chuck, and Clay," Jamie told his father. Uncle Skills nodded, taking his cue and went to grab a bottle of water.
"What's on your mind Jimmy Jam?" Nathan asked as the two of them took a seat on the picnic table. "I heard you talking this morning," Jamie told him, "how come you don't want to be Clays friend anymore?" he asked, looking up at his dad. Nathan sighed and sat back, wondering how to explain the difference between a business relationship and a friendship. "I'm still friends with Chuck, even when he does stupid stuff," Jamie told him.
"Well, Jamie, the difference between the stupid stuff Chuck does, and what Clay did, is about 10 million dollars," Nathan started, then shook his head. As he feared, Jamie took it the wrong way.
"So if a friend costs money, they aren't a good friend anymore?"
"No, Jimmy Jam. That's not what I meant."
"Then what did you mean?" Jamie asked.
"Uncle Clay might have cost me my career in the NBA, son. I might not play again, because he didn't do what I asked him to. It isn't about being friends, at the end of the day, Clay works for me, and I had to fire him." Nathan put an arm around his sons shoulders, "someday you'll understand," he told him.
"I don't think I feel any better," Jamie admitted.
"I don't like it either, son."