The Blue Tie

If only because of their jobs, Rikki and Zane continued attending galas throughout the years. It seemed like a obvious choice to leave their children at home with a babysitter, they would spend the entirety of the gala chasing their kids around if they did. They'd simply show pictures of them to the older businessmen who probably had grandchildren around Flint and Brenna's age. Flint was ten when another popular attendee recommended they bring him to the next gala. Rikki and Zane shook him off knowing Flint would hate the gala. They never intended on bringing their kids unless they asked to go for whatever reason. Flint was probably too preoccupied with his video games and motocross while Brenna was usually hanging out with her friends or taking swims in the ocean. They guessed getting dressed up and spending an evening talking to the most dull, old people would not be of any enjoyment to their kids. Hell, it wasn't of any enjoyment to the couple but at least they could take advantage of the nearby bar.

Still, the older businessmen and investors asked them left and right when they were going to bring their children, or at least Flint. They said they brought their kids when they were Flint's age and they had behaved just fine. It wasn't necessarily behavior Rikki and Zane were worried about, Flint was a good kid. How were they supposed to tell the boring people that they were...well, boring? Especially to a teenage boy who could be sitting at home killing a monster on his latest video game.

Finally, Rikki and Zane gave in. The businessmen and investors would never stop hackling the pair until they showed up with a child. Maybe they should have just never told them they had kids, they didn't attend any galas when Rikki was pregnant. That would have been the smartest idea.

Flint was all but kicking and screaming when they said he had to go to the next gala. Zane kicked Brenna out of the room when she started laughing so hard, she could stand up straight. Rikki and Zane couldn't come up with a good reason for him to go. He would be pissed if he found out it was only because they were tired of being nagged by the other attendees. It was Rikki who came up with the brilliant idea to raise his allowance if he came. Flint reluctantly agreed.

Rikki had just finished putting on a navy blue dress when she walked out of her bathroom and saw her husband adjusting her son's navy blue tie.

"I thought I laid a red tie out for you?" Rikki asked Flint.

"You did." Zane replied. "I guess someone thought if he spilled soda on it, he wouldn't have to go to the gala. Luckily, I have plenty of ties."

Flint rolled his eyes as his dad finished adjusting the tie. Flint was like Zane in a lot of ways but Rikki supposed both of her kids had inherited her attitude. God help them.

"Well aren't you just the luckiest boy." Rikki said as Zane stepped away from Flint. "You both look so handsome."

"And you look stunning, love." Zane told her as he leaned in to kiss her.

"Ugh, come on." Flint moaned. "If I have to go to this stupid gala, can you at least lay off the PDA?"

"Sure," Rikki said as she walked out of the room. "Let's get ready. We have to drop Brenna off at Cleo and Lewis's house before we go."

"Can you please just leave me there too?" Flint asked as he followed his parents out of the room. "I'm begging you. I'll do all my chores and Brenna's for that matter and you don't even have to raise my allowance."

"I like the sound of that." Brenna said as she exited her room.

"You know you'll be coming to the galas once you turn thirteen too." Zane told his daughter.

"What?!" She exclaimed. "Why do I have to go?"

"It's only fair." Rikki said. "Did you think we were only going to have Flint go to the galas?"

"I was... kind of hoping, yeah." Brenna replied, walking past her family. Flint laughed silently and sarcastically in her face and then let out a small yelp of pain.

"Ow." Flint exclaimed. "Mum, Brenna burnt my tongue!"

"We don't have time for this, kids." Zane said as he started to make his way down the staircase. "Brenna, no mermaid powers and Flint, no making fun of your sister. It's time to leave."

The family dropped Brenna off at Cleo and Lewis's house. She had a friendship with their daughter, Sailor, that reminded Rikki of her own with Cleo. They were opposite in many ways but they still seemed to have a level of understanding that was just meant to be. Flint sulked in the backseat once Brenna was out of the car.

They arrived at the familiar museum and Zane told Flint all he would need to know about the gala. His job would be easy, simply smile and shake hands, speak when spoken to. Rikki and Zane severed more as entertainers, their jobs were a bit more difficult but they were pros at bullshitting their way through a gala by now.

All the regular attendees were thrilled to meet Flint. Rikki was pleased he didn't have an attitude but she could tell the boy didn't want to be here. She wondered if he was that obvious to the businessmen and investors. She supposed she couldn't ask more of him.

Rikki and Zane took turns going back and forth from the bar so they wouldn't leave Flint alone. When Zane had returned to a conversation for the second time that night, he asked Flint if he wanted anything to drink.

"Gin and tonic, if you don't mind, Dad." Flint told him.

"Very funny, mate." Zane replied.

"Don't you worry about it, Mr. Bennett." The businessman, Mr. French, with whom they had been talking to said. "It's the boy's first business event, let me buy him a drink."

Mr. French ushered a waiter over and asked him for a gin and tonic, minus the gin. Rikki felt her head spin. Were they pushing Flint into the life of business? That was the last thing she wanted to do as a parent. She wanted Flint to choose his own career at his own accord. If he happened to want to follow in Zane and Harrison's footsteps, so be it but she didn't want to push him that way. Although Zane was great at what he did and she was thankful he was able to provide for his family and then some, unlike her own father, she knew Harrison shoving him into that lifestyle had damaged him. She didn't want that for her own son.

"You know I think dinner will be served soon." Rikki told Flint as Mr. French and his party walked away. "Why don't you go to our table, I need to talk to your father about something."

Both Bennett men gave her odd looks but followed her instructions nonetheless. Rikki lead Zane over to the bar and gestured for him to take a seat beside her.

"Are we pushing Flint into the life of business?" Rikki asked.

"What?" Zane asked, with more confusion. "No, I don't think we are. Is this about what French said?"

"Maybe." Rikki sighed. "I just... I don't want to force him into any career. I know that's what your dad did with you and I know how much it hurt you."

"I promise, this is nothing like what my dad did." Zane said. "I don't remember by first business event, I was still a baby. If we were like my dad, we would have brought Flint here thirteen years ago."

"I couldn't imagine." Rikki mumbled.

"Yeah, me neither." Zane laughed. "He probably would have thrown up on my suit jacket as soon as we walked in."

Rikki laughed too. Flint was an adorable baby, she was sure the people at these events would have loved him, especially in the little suit Harrison had given him. Still, it would have been a nightmare bringing him to events at that time, she wondered how Zane's family managed it. Not well, she assumed.

"Look, we said before he was born we weren't going to push him into any career." Zane said. "If you don't want to bring him to anymore galas or luncheons or whatever else, that's fine."

"No, could you imagine the heckling we would get if we didn't bring him after this?" Rikki laughed. "I think it will be okay. Thanks, love."

"Of course." Zane replied, giving her a kiss. "Why don't we go back to the table, have some dinner and get out of here?"

Rikki and Zane found Flint alone at their table surrounded by four or five empty glasses. He really was thirsty, Rikki thought.

"Wow, I suppose we should have gotten you something to drink earlier." Rikki said to Flint. "I guess all that talking would make you thirsty."

"Yeah," Flint laughed as he loosened his tie. "I don't feel so good."

"I reckon all that carbonation will do that to you." Zane said. "Stick to regular water next time, mate."

"No, I mean I don't feel very good." Flint said. Was he slurring his words, Rikki wondered. "The drinks tasted kind of funny."

Rikki's eyes went wide as she took one of the empty glasses and sniffed it. It smelled of pure alcohol. She and Zane had only been talking for a few minutes and Flint had managed to pound down five gin and tonics while they were away. No wonder he didn't feel good. She looked up at Zane and hoped he could read her mind.

"I think I'm going to be sick." Flint said before he let out a heavy burp and covered his mouth. Zane jumped up from the opposite side of the table and helped his son stand up.

"All right, mate." Zane said. "Let's go to the bathroom and then we'll head out of here."

Rikki was surprised Mr. French had the audacity to come up to their table just as Zane and Flint had exited the ballroom with another drink.

"Where did young Mr. Bennett go?" He asked Rikki.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Rikki asked the man.

"I beg your pardon?" He asked back.

"Why in the world were you giving my thirteen year old son alcohol?" Rikki asked.

"I surely don't know what you're talking about." Mr. French replied.

"Really?" Rikki asked. "Then why is he vomiting in the bathroom right now?"

"I don't-" the older man stuttered, looking between the drink in his hand and Rikki. "I don't know."

"Why don't you take a sip of that drink and tell me?" Rikki asked as she stood and crossed her arms. "I'm sure Flint won't mind."

She watched as Mr. French lifted to glass to his lips and watched his eyes widen.

"Mrs. Bennett," he started. "I'm so sorry, you should know I would never-"

"Don't worry about it." Rikki waved him off. "I have bigger things to attend to now. Just pay attention next time, will you?"

Rikki grabbed her clutch and walked out of the ballroom. Once she was at the exit, she saw Mr. French was just now getting a handle on his bearings. He hobbled off to his table but not before Rikki spotted the other glass, presumably of wine in the man's hand. She locked eyes on the glass and waited for him to take a sip before she made the wine boil. He yelled out so loudly the ceremony came to a halt for a few seconds. He smiled and waved awkwardly before pushing the glass away.

"Hey." Zane said as he came around the corner, holding Flint up under his arm. The boy looked so out of it. "Are you ready to go?"

"Yeah, let's get the hell out of here." Rikki said.

The three got in the car and decided to take Flint home before going to pick up Brenna. They'd be pretty early anyway and Brenna didn't need to see Flint like this. Flint fell asleep as soon as he got in the car.

"You know, I never would have imagined this is how his first drunken night would go." Zane chuckled. Rikki smiled and rolled her eyes. Mr. French had better thank his stars it was an accident.