The Duckstein

Chapter 5 The Duckstein

"Would you hold still, Asher. Do you ever sit?" Amanda questioned her nineteen year old son who seemed in a hurry to leave her presence.

"What do you want ma? I am eating already." He replied her, stuffing scrambled eggs in his mouth.

The Mayor of Titusville, Fred Duckstein chuckled to himself at his son’s attitude. Asher had always been a handful and being the only child it only made his mother dot more on him. However, he wasn't one to be camped and wouldn't let anyone control him. He is so free spirited. Everyone says Asher looks like his father when he was his exact age. Fred Duckstein’s mother, Eunice also affirmed it.

Asher had gotten into the college in Titusville rejecting his admission into Harvard, saying he wants to live within the community and understand the grassroots that would enable him help the people with whatever he can when he understands them. He had been away since his father got the post of a Mayor when he was about seven.  To protect Asher from the troubles his father's involvement in politics might cause, he had been taken away to live with his maternal grandparents in New York. He only returned few weeks ago to apply for college at Titusville.

Secretly, Fred was extremely glad that he had his only son next to him. Although his wife grumbled about their son rejecting the Harvard offer but she still was happy her son was home to stay for long eventually.

"Leave him be Amanda, he would grab something bigger if he gets hungry. You worry too much." Fred told her and almost regretted it cause tears welled up in his wife eyes and he almost choked on his tea. “I didn't mean it like that Amanda baby."

Asher looked up from the phone he had been scrolling through to see his mother wiping a tear away. He stood up from his position and moved around her. He held her hand. "Hey, mom." He called out in a soothing voice pulling her to himself. "I am sorry mom, I didn't mean it like that. Ok I would eat and won’t go anywhere until I am done. Ok mom?" He asked her.

Amanda shook her head with a smile on her face. "Thanks son, now let me fill up your plate." She said to him, piling his plate with more food and she sat down to watch him eat.

Amanda’s heart fluttered at the sight. The last time she saw him eat this up close was when he was way too young. Whenever she went visiting in New York, he was always preoccupied with his friends and never really had time for her. Not being able to birth other children, Asher meant the whole world to her. They had to keep him safe and far from harm when his father became a Mayor and she had to stay back to support her husband. That’s the reason for the not so deep connection between them.

As if reading her thoughts, Fred pulled her hand into his while smiling at her. "So tell me son, are you sure you are cool with your choice of study?” Fred asked Asher while chewing on a sausage. He feigned an oblivious look.

Asher looked up, a bright beam on his expression. “Really dad? Don't think I don't know what you are doing. I am still not studying political science. I already told you architecture and design is what I want. You do know I do well with drawings."

Amanda giggled sweetly. "Ignore your father son, he is only teasing you." She said.

"Well if I do not tease my son, who else would I tease?" Fred laughed at his own joke with the others joining in. "Where is Adam?"

"He said he is on his way." Asher replied, swallowing the last bite of his toast.

Adam was his childhood friend. Despite the fact that they were distant from each other, they always ensured to keep in touch with one another and both of them were most times mistaken to be siblings. Adam always went for summer holidays in New York to be with him.

"He is here dad. See you later mom." He stood up to peck his mother. “Bye dad.” He fist bumped his father on his way out.

Amanda laughed. “It’s a good thing he is home."

"It couldn't have been a more better timing." Fred agreed.

“And here comes my best buddy! Asher!" Adam called out dropping off the car bonnet he had been sitting on.

Asher ran towards him as they fist bumped and hugged. "You look good bro!" He complimented.

"I could say the same for you, but I know I have always been the good looking one." Adam boasted flying his collar.

Stepping back a little Asher squinted his eye, "Please is it dark already? Cause I can't seem to see what you driving at." He grinned.

Adam hit his shoulder. “Shut up man! Give me a break and admit I do look good."

"I never said you didn't, you messed up when you said you looked better than I did. Like come on man, just check me out." Asher chuckled, turning round for his friend to see.

Adam burst out laughing. "I am so not doing this with you. Let's get to school and do whatever is needed please."

"Your call man, whatever it is you need me to do I am on." Asher raised his hand in surrender.

"By the way Asher, I ain't gonna chauffeur you around so you had better get your car ready."

Asher scoffed. “You are so proud man.”

"Say what you like, me driving you around would ruin my chance of getting a girl to bang at the backseat."

"Ewwww! You are so cheap, Adam. How costly is a goddamn motel?!”

"You tell me. I am sure before you figure it out by then I would have laid out about two for a day." Adam replied.

“You are super full of yourself!” Asher laughed.

"Say what you like man. Get in the car and let's go." Adam got into the driver seat.

They both laugh at each other while Adam settled to drive towards the college.