Chapter 2 - Sophisticated

There were mushrooms in his omelette.

Julian didn't like mushrooms. They were like little brown pieces of slime, which didn't belong in perfectly good eggs. Dad said they were healthy, but Julian had learned about fungus from his science tutor, and fungus ate garbage, which meant mushrooms were basically garbage. Garbage wasn't healthy. Julian had snuck in to the kitchen a few weeks ago to ask their cook not to put garbage in his omelette anymore, but he later realized he probably should have said mushrooms.

"… and I want to see you make significant progress on that application, Lex."

"I'm almost done." Lex said it in a sad voice. They were talking about college. For some reason, talking about college always made him sad.

A hard tap on his shoulder made Julian jump.

"Sit up straight, son."

"Sorry, Dad." Julian set up as straight as he could.

"And eat your breakfast. Don't play with it."

Julian took a very careful bite with just eggs. He kept his eyes on his dad, hoping he wouldn't notice.

But Dad had returned to his conversation with Lex. "I won't have time to check in on your progress this afternoon. I need to oversee preparations for the corporate social."

The corporate social was one of the biggest events of the year. Dad and Lex had been talking about it for a long time, maybe even forever. Julian didn't understand what it was all about, or whether it was someone's birthday or a holiday, but it was supposed to be the most fun party ever. It wasn't for kids, though. It was so much fun, kids weren't even allowed to be there.

Julian had spent a lot of time trying to imagine what it must be like. Probably a lot of balloons. And look-don't-touch decorations. And maybe grown-up drinks, which Julian wasn't allowed to try because he wasn't twelve yet. They probably would have cake too. Maybe three cakes. Maybe that was why kids weren't allowed to come, because they would get too hyper from all the cake.

Julian frowned down at his omelette. He wished it was cake.

"I want you to see to it that you complete all of your schoolwork, as well as at least one of your application essays, this morning. I want you in the office by noon."

"You know that's not possible."

"Your brother will have his work finished in that time. Won't you, Julian?"

"Yes, Dad." He wasn't completely sure what they were talking about. But that was how he was supposed to answer questions.

"Eat your breakfast." Dad turned back to Lex. "I will need you to wrap up at the office by six and come straight back home."

"No need. I'll bring a change of clothes."

"You misunderstand me. You're coming back to look after your brother."

It was completely silent. For a second, Julian was excited, because he loved getting to have an entire evening with his brother.

Then Lex his face turned red, and he said, "No. We've been planning this for weeks. I'm coming."

"I was under the impression you hated corporate events."

"You were supposed to introduce me at this one. As your successor."

"You've been threatening to move out since you were 14."

"You're going to hold me to things I said when I was angry? When I was fighting with you?"

"Just to show you I'm listening, son."

Lex said a very bad word. Julian put his head down.

Dad hit Lex on the side of his head and yelled, "I need you here with your brother."

"All that money, and you can't hire a babysitter?"

"This is not negotiable, Lex."

"So, what? You suddenly decide I'm not your successor? That's it?"

"If you haven't noticed, I have two sons."

"You're not getting any younger, dad. Do you want to wait an extra 12 and a half years for a replacement?"

"It may not take him as long to prepare as it has taken you."

Now Julian really didn't know what was going on. But he did know Lex really wanted to go to that party. He cleared his throat. "Dad, I have an idea."

"Shut up, Julian," Lex said.

"No, no." His dad turned to him. "I want to hear it."

"What if we all just go to the party, like all of us? I promise not to touch the decorations or eat too much cake."

Lex rolled his eyes. "Julian—"

"Out of the question," his dad said. He looked over at Lex. "Both of you were staying here."

Lex sat down his fork and stormed out of the dining room.

Dad sighed, putting down his own fork and turning to Julian.

"I still don't understand why we can't all go," Julian said.

"Because you are a child."

"Am not!"

"Look at you, you're a mess. Playing with your food. Elbows on the table. Slouching, and is that dirt under your fingernails? Your brother would never, I repeat, never present himself this way."

Julian's chin trembled. "Sorry, Dad."

Dad stood up. "Your tutor will come to meet you."

"OK."

"If you haven't cleared your plate, there will be consequences."

"Yes, Dad." Julian pouted. Carefully, he took a tiny bite of mushrooms. It was gross. He gagged, but he made himself swallow. He thought about hiding the rest of it, but last time he tried that, he got caught and got in big trouble.

His dad left the room, and Julian was alone, trying to eat his omelette, which was even slimier now that it was cold.

He kept thinking about that party. He felt really sorry for his brother, but he was also really excited for tonight. Lex was the only person Julian really got to have any fun with. Of course, they weren't allowed to have any fun if Dad was around. Dad had what Lex called high expectations. That meant you always had to say "yes, Dad" and remember all of your manners, including sitting up straight and not whining and not bringing toys to the table.

Lex was so good at it. Dad never had to remind him about any of his manners. Julian knew it was because Lex was older, but he was pretty sure it wasn't just because of that. Lex was really really smart. And really good at things. Julian hoped he would be that smart and good at things someday, but he didn't know if that was possible.

Julian took his elbows off the table, sat up as straight as he could, and forced down full bites breakfast without making a face. If his brother could do it, maybe he could, too.