Charlie

Two days after Don dropped that bombshell, he came into my office, demanding: "Why haven't you called Dad?"

"I've uh been busy" I pretended to look through papers. "I've been busy." I couldn't bring myself to call him back.

"He's starting to worry" Don glared at me. "He's gonna think you're injured or something and cut his vacation short!"

"I paid for it, you know" I reminded my brother. And what did it get me? A father who elopes!

"That's not the point! Avoiding Dad isn't gonna change anything!" He said.

"Dad left us out, man!" I pointed out. "Getting married, even for the second time, is a big deal and it's something that should be shared with family!"

"I know, I know...but..."

I got worried "What about his assets??? Natalie would be entitled to half of them by California law if they divorce because they've got no prenup!"

"Natalie probably makes more than Dad does" Don said. "And you bought the house"

" I'd get Dad a good lawyer" I added.

"Whoa whoa..." my brother stopped me."Shouldn't we be hoping for the best?"

"You're okay with this???"

"I had accepted the relationship, buddy." He began.

"What about the marriage?"

"I'm still getting my head around it" Don said. In other words, he wasn't pleased by this either. "Call Dad!, I don't want him cutting his trip short"

"You mean honeymoon" I snorted.

"Whatever..."

"Charles! You need to call your father back!" Larry scolded me seriously. He brushed past the doorway. "He left another message on my voicemail! Apparently...he doesn't care if you found a way to time travel, and to call him immediately.

"That's what I'm trying to tell him" Don nodded in agreement.

"Oh hi Don!" Larry greeted him.

"I'll uh...check my email, if you guys don't mind" I didn't wanna discuss the subject anymore.

Unfortunately, my inbox had an email from Dad.

"Charlie:

I just found out that the ship had an internet cafe. Are you alright? I've been worried. Please call me!

Dad.

Before, I could delete the mail, Don looked over my shoulder

"See?" my brother tapped on the screen. Larry read the email as well.

"Your father sounds worried." he remarked.

"Quit reading over my shoulder!" I deleted the email and closed the window.

Before Don could say anything else, his cell phone rang and he had to go back to work.

"You'd better call him soon!" my brother sternly warned me as he put away his cell and left my office.

TBC