Once dinner was ready R.J. slipped out the back door while Allen called his step-family into the dining room. He had set the table with some of his mother's nice dishes and silverware. Allen prayed that by the end of this dinner nothing would be broken.
"Why are we eating in the dining room?" questioned Bo. "We never eat in the dining room."
"Well, umm I thought it umm would be nice to switch things up a bit," stumbled Allen.
"Whatever," Bo replied. "What are we having?"
"Tonight I made my special steak and potatoes done just the way you guys like them."
"Eating in the dining, fancy dishes, and steak and potatoes," Rex listed suspiciously. "What's going Allen?"
"Nothing I swear Rex, I just thought it would be nice to do something differently. My mom and I used to do this once a month. We would cook up something special, set the table all nice, and sometimes we would even dress up and pretend we were going out. I thought I would be nice to start bringing back some of our old traditions."
"Okay, but we are not dressing up," said Rex buying into Allen's story.
"That's fine, I didn't expect you to." I can't believe he bought that!
Once everyone sat down, Allen brought in the food. The food was barely on the table when they went at the food like lions to their prey. Allen quietly took his seat and waited for their plates to be filled before taking any. They can be such pigs.
As the four of them ate the room was filled with grunts as Allen's step-family stuffed themselves.
"Mmmm, cooked to perfection," Rex sighed. Bo and Ace grunted their agreements. Allen waited a few minutes for any Thank You's, but none came. "You're welcome," Allen interjected. His step-family just nodded their heads and kept eating.
Allen watched them for few minutes longer, waiting for the time to ask Rex.
"So my music teacher gave me some great news the other day," Allen began.
"What, that the doctors made a mistake and you're actually a girl," asked Bo.
"Umm, no," Allen responded. "He was telling me that he sent an audition tape to the Young Adult Summer Music Program for me and now they want me to audition for some of their teachers and I might get a spot in their program this summer."
"No," said Rex not missing a beat.
"Wha What? Why not? It's only about a month long commitment and I can sleep here instead of with the other kids. I'll even pay for it myself. This is a great opportunity for me. This might be my only chance to be a part of something like this."
"I said no."
"Why, what possible reason do you have?"
Rex's eyes narrowed and a sly smile crossed his face, "You can't attend that music thingy because I need you to watch over the store for me."
"What over the store for you? Can't we work my work schedule around the schedule of the program?"
"I don't think so, you see Bo and Ace have their training for football this summer and their coach asked me to come and help at camp. So that means that you need to stay and watch over the store for me. This means that you can't take any time off to play for any rich music snobs."
"Well when is their football training? Are you sure they are during the same time?"
"When is your music thingy?"
"Young Adult Summer Music Program and it's during the month of July."
"Oh what a conquincidence, so is their football camp. I guess you will have to miss this one too," replied Rex still wearing one of his sinister smiles. When he saw Allen beginning to protest again he added, "And I don't want to hear another thing about it. You can't go, end of discussion."
Allen sighed deeply, Don't cry Allen. Ace and Bo with never let you forget it; just remain strong until you get into your room.
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