Jimmy and Kevin perform as expected

Don, Olivia, Jimmy, and Kevin were all standing at the table while they waited for Zack and Victoria. Demonstrating the etiquette skills his parents taught him, Zack gently pulled Victoria’s chair out for her and then did the same for Olivia. After that, he took his own seat, followed by Don and his sons.

“Just so you know Zachary, we use birth names at dinner, no shortened names or nicknames. Mom’s rule,” Vicky winked at her friend.

“Oooh! VICTORIA’S GOT A BOYFRIEND! VICTORIA’S GOT A BOYFRIEND!” Kevin giggled.

“Shut up you little jerk!” Victoria shouted at her brother.

“DAD! Victoria called Kevin a jerk at the dinner table!” Jimmy whined, hoping to get his sister in trouble.

“Shut up you little jerks!” Don told his boys, leaving them both dumbstruck. Zack coughed into his fist to prevent himself from laughing at Don’s reply. “James, say Grace.”

“GRACE! Let’s Eat!” Jimmy shouted before reaching for the plate of chicken in front of him.

“Not so fast, Smart Ass! Try again!” Don warned the little imp sitting to his left.

“Join hands everyone!” he instructed. When they had done so, he continued. “Dear Lord, my dad bought all this crap at the store and mom cooked it so thanks for what, I don’t know, nothing I guess! Amen!”

Kevin burst out laughing at his brother’s blessing, while Jimmy reached for the chicken again. Before his son could reach for the main plate, Don grabbed him by the back of the neck. Once he was certain he had the attention of both boys, he warned them.

“Next one of you little turds annoys me; the other will do without dinner! GOT IT?!”

“Yes, Sir!” both boys said in unison.

“Dear Lord, we thank you for the meal we are about to receive, and we ask you to bless and provide for those less fortunate than us. We also ask that you keep those who protect our homes, save lives in our communities, and serve our country safe in the palm of Your hand. Amen!” Zack said.

“Thank you, Zachary. And thank you for joining us tonight.” Olivia said to the young man sitting next to her daughter.

“Help yourself, Zachary. Just take and pass the plate. The next one will be along shortly,” Victoria instructed.

Don handed the plate of roasted chicken to Zack before his sons could steal it all or worse, spill it. After talking four slices of meat, he passed the plate to his friend. He then received a plate of mashed potatoes from Don. Eventually Zack had a plate full of food, and once everyone was finished serving themselves, all were allowed to dig in.

“So Zachary, with the end of high school fast approaching, do you know what you’d like to study in college?” Olivia asked.

“Well Misses Walker, I haven’t picked a major yet, but I’ve narrowed down the choices. I was thinking about studying either criminal justice or emergency management. They have the same required courses that every degree does, and they even have a few of the same core classes. If I use the courses that are unique to each degree to fill out my electives, then I can wait until the middle of my senior year to officially declare which one I’m going for. If my grades are high enough at that time, I may just decide to double up and earn both degrees,” Zack answered.

“Wow, I’m impressed. You’ve got it all figured out, Zachary. Good for you! But what made you decide those two majors, if you don’t mind me asking?” Don inquired.

“It runs in the family, Sir. I’m sure you’re aware that my father is a fireman on the Azure Rocks FD, which is where the emergency management comes in. The interest in criminal justice I get from my mother’s side. Her father and grandfather were both New York City Policemen, as are two of her brothers. I grew up listening to their stories,” the young man stated.

“I never would have taken your mom for a city girl. She doesn’t have that accent,” Victoria admitted to her guest.

“Oh, she’s not just a city girl. She’s a Bronx girl, bred and buttered! God help you if you get between her and the television while her Yankees are on!” Zack chuckled.

As the meal went on, Don and Olivia asked a few more questions about Zack, his family, and his plans for college. He answered every question and was polite throughout the conversation. The same could not be said for Victoria’s brothers. With a gentle nudge, Jimmy got Kevin’s attention. Once he had it, he looked at the bread bowl in between the pair of them and then to the bowl full of gravy sitting directly in front of Zack. Like most twins, the pair of miscreant brothers had developed their own language. Kevin knew immediately what his twin was suggesting.

“Hey Zachary, would you like another roll?” Kevin asked.

“Yes please, Kevin. Thank you!” Zack replied.

As soon as Zack answered him, Kevin leaned back in his chair and flicked a roll towards Zack. His release mimicked that of a basketball player taking a three-point shot. Victoria cringed in horror as she realized what her brothers were up to. As Donald Walker decided which son to kill first, the flying roll landed right in the gravy bowl and splashed its contents all over Zack’s shirt.