MassaHJ
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Chapter 110 Old Friend
🕑 Added 2025-05-23 12:56:24 +0000 UTCThe next day, I was having breakfast with Charlie when Dad walked in and greeted us.
"Good morning," Alan said, stepping into the kitchen.
He sat down, grabbed an apple, and glanced around casually.
"Hey, did you know that Rose has a master’s degree in psychology?" he asked, to no one in particular.
I frowned. "You dated Rose?"
Charlie looked over his coffee mug. "What’s wrong with you?"
"No," Alan replied, brushing off the jab.
Berta entered right on cue. "Did you know I’m a founding member of the Mile High Club?"
Alan blinked. "Really?"
"Yeah. Me and Orville at Kitty Hawk."
She walked to the counter, grabbing a cup. "I’d have done Wilbur too, but we were only in the air for 90 seconds."
Alan chuckled. "Okay, you're clearly joking—but that was funny."
He paused, then added, looking at Berta "But seriously, you and I see each other every day, and we barely know anything about one another."
Berta raised an eyebrow. "So you wanna know what goes on beneath this gruff exterior?"
She crossed her arms. "If somewhere inside me there's a tiny little girl... who once dreamed of becoming a famous ballerina?"
"Is there?" Alan asked, half curious, half shocked.
Berta replied deadpan, "If there is... it’s because I accidentally ate one and haven’t passed her yet." She took a sip of coffee. "Let me tell you, I am dreading that tiara."
Alan stood up, unsure how to respond. "Okay. Well, it was nice talking to you."
"Hey, I feel closer," Berta said as she got up and headed into the other room.
Charlie murmured, "Well, maybe Rose isn’t the only one crazy in here."
I nodded in agreement.
Alan shook his head and said, "By the way, a friend of mine is coming over."
Remembering something, he stood up and left the room. Moments later, he returned with a book in hand.
"What's that?" I asked, seeing my dad come back with it.
"My high school yearbook," he replied.
Alan sat down and flipped it open. "Hey, do you remember a girl named Jamie Eckelberry?" he asked Charlie.
Charlie squinted. "No."
"Yeah, sure you do," Alan insisted. "She used to hang out at the house all the time."
"Oh, yeah. Eckelberry Hound," Charlie said, suddenly remembering.
Alan rolled his eyes. "Not a name she was fond of."
Charlie raised his hands. "Hey, I didn’t make it up. I just spread it around. What about her?"
Alan smiled. "She’s the friend who’s coming over. She called the alumni association and tracked me down."
Charlie smirked. "How does that work? They let her sniff one of your sweaters?"
Alan rolled his eyes. "She e-mailed me. She's in town on business, and I invited her over."
Charlie leaned back in his chair. "Great. I'll get out of your way. Just keep her off the good rug."
“It is not a date” said Alan, correcting Uncle Charlie
Then. "Well, that just means, Uncle Charlie," I said, glaring at him.
"When did you become a goody two-shoes, Jake?" Charlie said back.
"I didn’t. But I don’t see a reason to be mean to someone just for the sake of being a jackass," I replied.
I added with a smirk, "She could be someone who ends up helping you with something. Or maybe... she turned into a hottie..."
"I doubt it," Charlie murmured.
Alan handed the yearbook to me.
I looked through it. "Which one is her?" I asked.
Alan leaned over and pointed.
I stared at the photo and let out a soft, "Huh."
Charlie raised a single eyebrow and looked at me without saying a word.
I cleared my throat. "I’m still against saying something rude," I muttered, "but the hottie part might be a little difficult."
"Oh, look," Charlie said, flipping a page. "You remember Miss Hanrahan?"
"Sure. I had her for sophomore English," Alan replied.
"I had her in the teachers' lounge," Charlie smirked.
I snorted.
Then the doorbell rang.
"Oh, that's Jamie. Be nice," Alan warned.
"I'm always nice. Ask Miss Hanrahan," Charlie said with a grin.
We all walked into the living room as Alan went to the door and opened it.
"Alan," Jamie greeted.
"Jamie," Alan replied, astonished.
"Woof," Charlie muttered.
"Wow," I said, glancing at Charlie with a clear 'I told you' look.
Charlie gave me a mocking bow. "I bow to your vast wisdom."
I stepped forward to greet Jamie with a polite smile and handshake. Charlie followed right after me with his signature charm.
After, Uncle Charlie poured a margarita for Jamie and handed Alan a rum and diet coke.
I looked at the time and turned back to Jamie. "It was really nice meeting you, Jamie. I’ve got to head out—meeting up with some friends."
She smiled warmly. "Nice meeting you too, Jake."
I waved goodbye and walked out the front door.
---
I met up with Laura, Cher, and Regina an hour later near the beach. We walked along the shore for a while, the waves rolling in gently beside us as we talked about random things—upcoming movies, favorite movies, and how good it felt to be outside. We sat down on some beach chairs and kept talking.
Eventually, Cher suggested, "Let’s go to this restaurant I know nearby. It’s really good."
"Oh, good. I'm hungry" I said
We headed off toward the nearby street where the restaurant was. It was a fancy place with elegant decor, soft lighting, and a view of the ocean through wide glass windows.
Once we were all seated at the table, I looked around at the girls and said with a smile, "Ask anything, it’s all on me."
At first, Laura, Freddie, and Carly used to be hesitant when I offered to pay. The thing is, I enjoy eating at fancy places sometimes, and that wasn’t always affordable for them. But I convinced them it wasn’t a big deal for me to pay
Then we all heard a nosy voice from a nearby table.
"Sit down, Manny. You are not going to confess your love to that girl," someone said.
I raised both eyebrows.
