Lucas sat in his office looking out at the court he had built behind his house. His thoughts went back and forth with the swaying of the branches. He listened to his two nephews, as they headed up to the guest bed rooms.
It was defiantly nice to have another boy under the roof. Keith would also benefit from having James to play against.
Just then his cell phone rang. Lucas grabbed it and put it to his ear.
"Yes Red?" Lucas said.
"Hey Luke, I was just getting out of work and a little birdy told me to call Luke. So here I am," he said.
"So what did the birdy tell you, Red?" Lucas asked.
"Well that you are having problems with that boy of yours. Also you are worried about how your sister handles being around your brother. Plus the other assorted stuff."
"You have a good birdy there, Red."
"I only have the best birdys, Luke," Red said.
"Well you are right?"
"Okay, now Luke, I have to get going, I'll be home tonight, so stop by after your usual Thursday thing. I'll be on the porch and we can talk," Red said.
"Okay, not matter how late?"
"Exactly," Red said and hung up.
Lucas sighed and hung up his phone. Red was not one to chat on the phone, he was much more of a face to face person. This usually means that it would be a long conversation with plenty of hard alcohol that was how Red counseled people.
That was when Keith walked into his office. Lucas and Peyton had established an open door policy with their children. Whenever they were in their office or studio the children could walk in and talk with them. The only time they weren't allowed in was when the door was closed and that was usually when they were talking privately with someone.
"Dad," Keith said.
Lucas looked up at his only son. "Yes?"
"James and Brian are set for the weekend," Keith said.
"Good and we need to talk," Lucas said.
Keith nodded and leaned up against one of his Dad's tables.
"What do we need to talk about?"
Lucas sighed, "Why are you treating your Aunt so rudely?"
"Angela? C'mon it's all a joke, I have an Aunt that is a year older then I am? Not to mention she is a stain on the Scott name. Dad, she's your sister and your cousin, sounds a little too much like Deliverance to me. Not to mention the fact she is a bastard," Keith said.
Lucas stood up and counted to ten, he didn't need to stress his heart. "Keith James Scott, how dare you talk about a family member like that? First of all know your history better; I was considered a stain on the Scott name because I was also born a bastard. Also remember Angela wouldn't have been a bastard if Dan didn't kill Keith, who I might add is your namesake."
"So what do you want me to do, Dad? Roll over and treat Angela like a queen because she had no Daddy? Do you want me to let her win basketball for some self-esteem issues?"
Lucas shook his head, "No, I want you to treat her with respect. Respect that she is deserves, as your Aunt, a person and a member of this family."
"Why does it have to be nice to precious little Angela, Dad? Is it because her Daddy is dead? Well I'm tired of it! Someone needs to break the egg shells," Keith bellowed.
Lucas stood up and started to stare down his son. "What gives you the right to stand in my house and talk bad about a family that for sixteen years has done nothing but love you and tried their damnest to give you a great life?"
"A son who sees someone gets a free shot. She's been given everything because people feel bad for her; she hasn't earned a damn thing."
"Who are you to say that?" Lucas shouted.
"Your son," he yelled back and stormed out of the office.
Lucas sat down and cradled his head in his hands. His heart was racing, which wasn't a good thing. It's been years since he had a heart attack and he didn't want to go through another one. He just sat there and started to breath and slow down everything.
That was when Peyton walked in.
"Dude, what was with all the Scott Anger?" she asked and saw Lucas trying to slow down his heart.
"Luke, you okay?" she asked.
After a second he looked up. "I'm fine, just got too excited. Keith and I had at it again," he said.
Her green eyes feel upon him in deep concern. "Same subject?" she asked.
"His attitude and how he treats Angela. I don't want to give up on him, but it is getting to easy not to try anymore," he said.
Peyton walked over and sat on his lap. She gentle kissed him on his lips.
"We just have to keep trying; we'll eventually get through to him."
Lucas nodded. When Peyton leaned forwarded to hug him, he looked across the room at a mirror. His face was dower, as he stared at himself. His eyes spoke volumes, for the first time he saw something in his son that he had never seen before and was familiar. It was dangerously familiar, and spoke of only one person.
