5. For The Steak Of Argument

Terry Nashville returns home in his expensive Bugatti Noire and goes straight to his room. While having a shower, he recalls the moment when his father called his younger brother, Jay, commanding him to reach home before dinner. He believes that this time his father is more annoyed than he ever seen him when it comes to Jay. Tonight, David has called the family for dinner, he has arranged a family night and Terry assumes this is something related to Jay. 

Miranda has also been invited - although no invitation is needed for her to come to her own house and for the last few months she has been living with her mother who is visiting her from Italy. Due to her mother’s sickness, she is staying with her and proviidng her care. She often visits the Nashville mansion only to check up on her husband and children, most importantly on weekends. 

Terry is sitting in his room, using his laptop, going through his social media platforms when the knock on the door diverts his attention. “Yes?” he calls out and a female maid enters, asking him, “Sir, would you like to add anything special to the menu?” He twitches his lips as he takes his time to think before he finally speaks, “Can you make me Italian pasta?” She carefully answers, her tone is rather polite, “Sir, it is already on the menu.” With a faint smile, Terry utters, “Then it’s enough for me.” When the maid is gone, he continues to make himself busy until the dinner is served.

As anger surges through his veins, the world around him becomes a blur of motion. The grip on the steering wheel tightens, his knuckles turning white with intensity. Adrenaline courses through his body, intensifying his senses and heightening his awareness. The engine roars, echoing his frustration as he presses down on the accelerator, unleashing the full power of the vehicle. 

His jaw is clenched with anger, eyes burning with fire. His father has been rude to him on the phone, he even shouted at him to come home when he refused. Jay was enjoying a friend’s birthday party and decided to get laid with at least two to three women but his father ruined his plans for tonight. 

Miranda and Terry are sitting on the lavish sofas in the living room, chatting when David Nashville walks forward, greeting his wife, he shows no expression, “Hello, Miranda.” It is almost dinner time and David Nashville arrives at the dining table, followed by Terry and Miranda. The dinner table is the centerpiece of a well-appointed dining room. It is adorned with an elegant tablecloth, impeccably pressed, and a rustic wooden surface that exudes charm. The table is set with gleaming silverware, polished glasses, and neatly folded napkins, creating an atmosphere of refined modernism.

The table is adorned with an array of culinary delights, reflecting the creativity and skill of the chefs or the loving efforts of those who prepared the meal. Hearty dishes, artfully arranged, showcase a feast for the senses. The aroma of freshly cooked food fills the air, tantalizing the taste buds and whetting the appetite. Pulling chairs, the three of them sit themselves and places napkins on their laps, ready to dig in. 

“No one will eat until he comes -” David Nashville is protusive as he speaks. This brings exasperation to Terry’s face as he is already starving and seeing the delicious meals prepared in front of him, he can’t barely control himself. “But, dad - do you really think he will arrive on time?” Terry raises a question and his father gives him a look before he utters, “Hold your appetite a little, son -” Miranda blinks her eyes twice, as if gesturing her son to remain silent. Sighing deeply, Terry has no choice but to wait for his younger brother who it yet to show up. 

Jay is still on the road, driving as fast as he can. His father never mentioned the exact time he is going to be waiting for him but he remembers the time when David Nashville usually has his dinner. Dialing a number on his phone, he waits for the person to answer the call. “Hello? Blackwood?’ he barks over the phone and hears a respectful voice in return. Jay continues to ask the security guard about David and if the dinner has already started.

Every maneuver becomes aggressive and impulsive, as if the road itself is an obstacle to be conquered. The brakes are used by him forcefully, tires screeching against the asphalt as he navigates sharp turns and weaves through traffic with little regard for safety or consequences. The engine revs with a furious intensity, echoing his inner turmoil.

With a loud screech when he pulls over outside the parking lot of the magnificent villa, he simply ignores all the security guards and barges inside the mansion.  

“Dad!” his voice echoes around the large dining hall and he steps forward when his father asks him to sit with them. “Have a seat -” are the cold words that he receives from his father. He silently pulls a chair for himself, sitting next to his older brother, Terry. “Now, can we please begin?” only to break the silence and to eat, Terry who is impatient, finally starts to fill his plate. 

David Nashville keeps on staring at his younger son who is becoming nervous. All the anger that was rushing down his veins seems to vanish away, all of a sudden he is not only fearful but confused. He doesn’t move from his place, neither does he pour any kind of food onto his plate. Instead he is batting his eyelashes, staring back at his father - his look seems sheepish. David can clearly see the terror that is building up on the corner of his blue eyes. 

Miranda offers to serve her younger son, with a smile she utters, “Let me serve you the steak.” Just as when she is about to bring the steak closer to his plate, David Nashville’s voice interrupts her, “He won’t be having the steak tonight.” Jay is gawking at his father with astonishment - David knows his taste, he is well aware that Jay is a steak person whereas Terry is not really into steaks and meat. He is devouring himself with the Italian pasta with red sauce. 

“He will be having the pasta. Terry will have the steak tonight,” his father announces with a straight face. The rest of them are not only astounded but also very confused and Terry remains paused in his place. Gesturing at the servants who immediately exchanges the plates of the two brothers, they places the steak in front of Terry and the plate of marinara pasta in front of Jay. 

“What is this, dad?” Jay is trying to control his anger, but with a clenched jaw he finally speaks to his father who is acting weird. “Pasta is a common dish for a common son in this house. Whereas the steak is for the one who deserves to be treated like a son in this house.” This sentence creates further bewilderment for everyone. Miranda remains silent, she quickly understands what David is trying to do. This is his way of making Jay realise what he is really losing. This might only create further misunderstanding between Terry and Jay. 

Jay pushes the chair back and stands questioning, “I won’t be eating this, dad!” With a cold stare from his father, he doesn’t hold back and continue to say, “Why are you doing this to me? Did you call me here for dinner only to insult me this way? I thought you said family dinner -”

“But it is a family dinner. See? All of your family members are here. Now sit and eat. Do not make me repeat myself -” his tone almost seems like he is giving a final warning to his younger son who is fuming with anger, sweat is starting to build on his forehead.