Chapter 6

Wednesday morning, Lydia and Jonathan sat at a booth at Karen's Café.

"So you got drunk at a bar?" Lydia asked.

"I sure did," Jonathan said.

"And you didn't invite me?" Lydia asked.

Jonathan looked at Lydia.

"I'm teasing," Lydia said. "So are you and Andrew friends now?"

"I guess," Jonathan said.

"Well I'm glad you got away with getting drunk," Lydia said.

"I feel really guilty for lying to my dad," Jonathan said. "I think I'm going to tell him."

"No," Lydia said. "Bad idea. You're in the clear. Don't tell him."

"I think he should tell him," Lily said as she walked over and sat down next to Lydia. "He got drunk and he should take responsibility for what he did."

Aaron walked over and sat next to Jonathan.

"No way," Aaron said. "Jonathan is in the clear. He shouldn't tell Chase. It's a known fact that punishments are harsher for boys than they are for girls."

"Agreed," Lydia said.

"Whenever you came home after curfew, how long would you be grounded?" Aaron asked.

"A week," Lily replied.

"My parents would ground me for a month and take away my motorcycle privileges," Aaron said.

"So if Baby Elma or Joshua breaks a rule, you're saying that punishment will be decided based on the gender?" Lily asked.

"Exactly," Aaron said.

"That is the most sexist thing you have ever said!" Lily shouted.

"It's not sexist," Aaron said. "It's the truth. And we're not naming the baby Elma or Joshua."

"We really need to get to school," Lydia said. "Hope you two work out your problems."

Lydia and Jonathan quickly left.

Later that day, Jonathan was relaxing on the couch. Chase arrived home and Jonathan sat up.

"Hey," Chase said. "How are you feeling?"

"A lot better," Jonathan said.

"How was school?" Chase asked.

"Great," Jonathan said. "I already did my make up work."

Chase sat down next to his son and put his arm around him.

"I'm so proud of you," Chase said. "Always making smart choices."

"Yeah," Jonathan said.

"I'm lucky to have a responsible son like you," Chase said.

"No you're not," Jonathan said. "I'm a horrible son."

Jonathan got up, walked upstairs to his room, and sat down on his bed. Chase followed after him and sat down beside him.

"What's wrong?" Chase asked.

"I'm not the responsible son you think I am," Jonathan said.

Chase gasped.

"Lydia's pregnant isn't she?" Chase asked.

"No," Jonathan said. "Definitely not that."

"Then what's wrong?" Chase asked.

"I used a fake ID and went to a bar," Jonathan said. "And I got drunk."

"So yesterday you weren't sick," Chase said. "You were just hung over."

"Yes," Jonathan replied.

"Go to your room," Chase said. "You're grounded."

"We're in my room," Jonathan said.

"Then stay in here until I call you down for dinner," Chase said.

Chase walked out, shutting the door behind him.