Chapter 6

Meanwhile, Back in Bikini Bottom, Christina came over to help Jeff sneak away."Thanks for doing this for me, Christina" Jeff thanked."No problem, Jeff" she looked over both of Jeff's shoulders."Are Ken and Max around?"."Don't worry, they're in a different room getting drunk" Jeff chuckled."They're not really good at making sure no body escapes". Jeff and Christina left to go to the air port. On their way, Christina wondered something."Since I'm going to meet your son… what was he like when you were around more often?". Jeff smiled.

"Well, he was… one of a kind… a cute kid". He took a picture out of his shirt pocket. It was a picture of Squidward when he was three."He loved music, he loved painting and he loved… hanging out with me. We hung out with each other whenever we could. It was something Squiddy looked forward to every day" Jeff smiled. Then, continued."When I got home from work, he would run and jump into my arms and I would swing him around, playfully. He would talk about his day at Pre- school. Well, the days he actually went there, anyway. He went there three days a week. Squiddy was actually one of the smartest kids in his class. That makes me very proud". Christina smiled.

"He sounds like a great kid. A happy one too". Jeff sighed a sad sigh."He's not as happy anymore. He picked up my bad habits". Christina looked at Jeff in surprise."Bad Habits? What type of bad habits?". Jeff sighed once more."Being grumpy and angry all the time. Working at this job made me stressed out… so, I became more grumpy and angry because of that. Now, Squidward thinks that's the right way to react". Jeff continued."But, that's not all". Christina blinked."It's not?". Jeff apologized."Sorry, I'm rambling, aren't I?"."No, no. It's okay, Jeff. Please continue. I'm interested. What happened?". Jeff breathed angrily though his teeth."This job happened". Jeff cursed, then continued."James came over my house one day in November when Squidward three and had a talk with me".

Flash Back

A younger Jeff Tentacles was working in his work room at home when the door bell rang. Mrs. Tentacles opened the door. Her eyes widened in surprise."Oh, Hello, James. This is a surprise. Please come in". James came in the house."I came to have an important talk with Jeff" James told her."Of course. In fact, he's in his work room working right now" Mrs. Tentacles said. The two started walking to the room, then they stopped when they saw a three year old Squidward standing in the hallway.

"Hello, dear" Mrs. Tentacles greeted her child."Hi, mommy" Little Squidward greeted in a small voice.

"Who's this little one" James wondered."This is my son, Squidward. He's three years old. Honey, say hi to Mr. Corleone" Mrs. Tentacles said."Hi sir" Little Squidward said. Corleone kneeled down to Squidward."Hello, Squidward. It's nice to meet you. You can call me Uncle James if you want" James told him. Mrs. Tentacles liked the sound of that.

"I think that's a great idea. Squidward can sure use another uncle".

"I'm here to talk to your daddy" James told Squidward."Alright, but me and daddy are gonna watch a movie tonight" Little Squidward said.

"Oh, don't worry. I'll be long gone by then" James reassured him. Mr. Corleone and Mrs. Tentacles walked to the work room.

"Dear, Mr. Corleone is here to see you" Mrs. Tentacles told him."Oh, Mr. Corleone… this is a pleasant surprise. I wasn't expecting to see you until tomorrow" Jeff said.

"Yes, but I got something very important to talk to you about" James told him.

"Well, in that case, come on in" Jeff said. James came in the room and Mrs. Tentacles left to leave the two alone. Mrs. Tentacles stroked Squidward's head."Come on, dear. Let's leave your father and your Uncle James alone so they can talk". Mrs. Tentacles walked away. But, Squidward didn't follow. Being, the curious child Squidward was, he decided to secretly listen to his Uncle and father's conversation. He walked to the room and stayed hidden behind the wall. Squidward started to listen to their conversation.

"I'm sorry, but I can't leave home. I have a baby boy now, so I can't just leave him. My wife would be all alone to raise him" Jeff told James. James sighed. Little Squidward started to feel sad now. His Uncle James wanted his dad to leave him. Squidward continued to listen."I know it's hard to do that, Jeff, but… all those people could lose their money if you don't come and keep track of it. You wouldn't be alone on this project. I'll have others trying to keep track of the money too. You're my ticket to success. You're so good at this stuff, please" James pleaded. Jeff sighed.

"Alright, just let me talk to my wife about this". Corleone agreed."Of course". Jeff stood up and walked out of the room.

"Hello, son" Jeff greeted Squidward sadly as he walked away. Squidward entered the room. James looked at Squidward."You're not gonna take my daddy away, Uncle James!" Squidward said. James stood up and walked up to Squidward.

"Oh, Squiddy. I need you're daddy now more than ever. All those nice fish could lose their money if he doesn't help". Squidward glared at his uncle.

"You still can't do that. He's still my daddy and I'm very close with him". All of the sudden, Jeff came back in. Little Squidward ran up to his father and hugged his legs."Oh, daddy, please don't go! I'll miss you" Squidward sobbed. Jeff sighed and lightly patted his son's head.

"I'll miss you too, Squiddy. Alright, Mr. Corleone… you win. I'll go with you". James smiled.

"Good. I'll give you a day to pack your things and say good bye to your family. You'll only be gone a couple of months". James left. Little Squidward started crying even more. Jeff kneeled down, hugged his son and kissed his head.

End Of Flash Back

Jeff sighed a sad sigh."And of course, I never got to go back to my family"."I'm so sorry, Jeff. Squiddy was so sad" Christina apologized."I did get to see my family for the first time in a long time, four months ago… and of course I just saw Squidward recently" Jeff added. Christina wondered what the adult Squidward is like today.