"Natalie, this is my father Steven, my stepmother Catherine, my sister Kimberly, and Emilly, my stepmother's daughter, and Joshua, Emilly's friend," John said and introduced his family and Joshua.
Steve didn't like John's tone of voice.
"You just forgot to say that your stepmother takes care of you while your birth mother doesn't even care and that her daughter is like a sister to you," Steve told John.
Catherine touched Steve's hand. "Steve, don't be upset," she said quietly.
"Welcome, Natalie," Catherine said. She just wanted to be polite and not embarrass the girl.
"Feel free," Steve said to Natalie, although he suspected it was she who was influencing John. John was changing and Steve didn't like it.
"Thank you," Natalie answered and sat next to John.
"Mommy, I want french fries," Kim said to Catherine, and interrupted the awkward mood.
"Okay, my love. We'll order you french fries," Catherine replied.
"Emilly, are you going to eat fries too?" Kim asked.
"I can't eat these fattening foods, Kim. If I get fat I'm going to slow down on swimming," Emilly replied.
"But I think that only today you can, Emilly. Today was your day, you deserve it," Joshua told her.
"I agree with Joshua, Emilly. Today you can," Catherine said.
"Ok, mom."
"Can you read the menu for me, Joshua?" Emilly asked him.
"Sure, Emilly," Joshua replied and picked up the menu. He read the menu patiently for Emilly while feeling John's gaze on him.
"What are you going to order, my love?" Catherine asked Steve. She realized that his eyes roamed the pages of the menu but that his thoughts weren't on the food to be chosen.
"I still don't know, Cath."
"So choose slowly, we are in no hurry," Catherine replied.
Joshua finished reading the menu to Emilly and she chose what she wanted to eat in addition to the fries.
"Thank you, Joshua."
"You're welcome, Emilly," Joshua replied.
"What do you work on, Joshua?" John asked.
"I work at the club where Emilly trains," Joshua replied to John.
"Are you the club director?" John asked wryly.
Joshua realized what John wanted to do. "No, I am responsible for cleaning the pools. It's a decent job like any other," Joshua replied.
"Yes, of course, but this job just don't pay Emilly's bills," John replied.
"John, please stop this," Catherine asked.
"I'm just telling the truth, Catherine, but that's okay, I'll be quiet. Then don't say I didn't warn you," John replied.
"You can't call mommy by name, John. It's mommy," Kim told John.
"Don't mind what he says, Joshua. Sorry," Emilly said to the boy.
"It's okay, Emilly," Joshua replied, and Emilly felt that he was upset.
Steve was tense and upset. His desire was to get up and leave that place.
"Shall we call the waiter and place orders?" Catherine asked Steve.
"Okay, Cath," Steve replied.
"My dad is very grateful for your work, Mr. McGarrett," Natalie told Steve.
"Why? Steve asked.
"Because he owns three hotels here on the island and your job of keeping the island safe is very good for his business," Natalie replied.
"It's good to know," Steve said to Natalie.
Joshua was feeling out of place and Emilly held his hand under the table.
"Cath, are we going to have a drink at the counter while food is not served?" Steve asked.
"Sure," Catherine replied.
"Kim, stay here with Emilly. Me and Daddy will be back soon," Catherine told the girl.
"Ok, mommy. I love you!" Kim said in her childish way.
"I love you too, honey," Catherine told Kim.
Steve ordered the bartender two drinks and ran a hand over his face. "What's going on with my son, Cath? I don't recognize John anymore. The John I knew wouldn't humiliate Emilly's friend like that."
"I don't know, Steve. I think he's feeling self-sufficient now that he has a good job at a good pay. He thinks he doesn't need us anymore. It was horrible what he did to Joshua."
"I'm going to apologize to Joshua for John's rudeness. And as for John, if he thinks he doesn't need me anymore, I'm going to tell him to go his way," Steve said.
"Calm down, Steve. Talk to him tomorrow. Don't be too quick to say things that you can regret later."
Steve finished drinking his drink. "You're right, Cath. What would I do without you, huh? What would I do if you didn't exist?"
Catherine kissed him lovingly. "But I exist, and I'm all yours, sailor."
