Part IV

Part IV: 

Life’s Rewards 

What we spend so much time working so hard to acquire can disappear in a way that is summed up quite nicely: a receipt.

Aftermath

Somehow they managed to get to where they were going despite their Dear Navigator 'quitting'.

They unpacked, got the kids and family fed with what had been scored from the deli at C0stco, and then relaxed in the hot spring (part of the hotel package).  When they got back to their rooms, the futons had been laid out.  

At one point, Will tried to apologize for the blowout they'd had on the way in a little earlier that evening. Grandma responded with something that could be translated as “No. Thank you…” – then she kindly suggested that Grandpa and Will go find a little 'extra dinner' somewhere. 

So they, the men, took off.

  
There happened to have been a nice place within a few minute's walk from where they were staying.

They went in, sat down at the counter and looked at the Ameglian inspired menu. 

Meet the Meat

"No, not having the beef tonight is fine by me... what else would you suggest?"  

So Grandpa Old School ordered something. 

First, a few drinks. 

In no way related to the cow...

And then a platter (featured below). 

Fresh fish is the best fish...

They purposefully took their sweet time.  Savoring each piece over the course of their evening’s decompression. 

Admittedly, the bath hadn’t done much for Will's mental state. Like hell Wifey was going to apologize for anything. Ever. That fucking...

Grandpa laughed.

Though Old School may not usually express his emotions – sort of that poker face default typical of the tougher generation here – it was obvious that he wanted to say something or a few things to his son-in-law.

Those things that were said included another ‘thank you’ for being so patient with their daughter, who they’d given up on at one point and are consequently well versed in ignoring.  In this case, the practice of ignoring had been hard to do since she, Old School's daughter, was the one who Team Family had been relying on to navigate to their destination, at least before the fits and tantrum…  Grandpa said ‘thank you’... thank you for the effort, grandkids, and for being a decent person.

Grandpa cried.

Will put his head down at one point. And he said, “I don’t know if I’m decent… tired, yes. Angry… now a lot of the time. Decent? I guess I’m still here, if that's what you mean.”

They continued to talk and both of them felt better as the alcohol started to take off the edges. Grandpa Old School is a good person. He might be ornery sometimes, like we all can be, but he’s not mean.

Near the end of their meal, when they were just about to finish, Will was starting to slide into that feeling of all too good. Actually able to relax maybe, let his armor slide off. Release. Feeling guuuuud.

Oh yeah.

Then it started.

Caught him by surprise. 

Oh no. 

It had taken them the better part of what seemed like an hour to work their way through the dish.  

No. No, no, no...

Will now thought he might be getting sick as he witnessed Grandpa take the last bit on the green leaf (what's left of the shrimp) which is was the lower portion of their unexpected dinner companion. 

Fresh fish is best fish, best not messed with...

Had Will had too much to drink? Was it from stress? What the fuck was going on? Maybe his eyes had grown tired at the end of what had really been a long, arduous day. Christ! He thought he saw something moving.  

He looked.

He looked again.  And then brought the plate in for closer observation. Lights, camera...

Followed by slow and coordinated action...

He really looked closely. And realized. They’d dined on everything there while that thing had still been alive. He’d had no idea. And now he was surprised that this may be what was bothering him, because he's eaten just about everything.

He mentioned this to Old School... what he thought he was seeing. 

 Grandpa smiled.

He turned, looked over in Will's direction with his red face and cracked a big smile. Then, leaning in toward him,  in his best English he said with a loud voice:

 “It’s fresh!” 

And before anything else was allowed to happen, its escape or Will's, the gurney was whisked away.

Will needed another beer. 

And what do you know… the timing way just right... 'cause a minute later...

they brought him back fried.

Gotta love this place.