Caroline and Betty were setting the table when the two kids started down the stairs. Angela giggled as she hopped onto Tim's back, Tim grabbed her legs and laughed as she rode him piggyback down the rest of the stairs and into the dining room.
Caroline laughed as she watched her oldest kid ride her brother, "OK, you two," she said, "time to eat." Caroline smiled to herself, she loved the idea of having her family whole again. Angela giggled and said, "Do I have to?" Then released her legs and slid down off her brother's back.
As they sat down, Tim noticed that his mom sat to the left, taking her old seat, leaving the head of the table open. He looked at everyone wondering if this was some type of prank on his birthday, his mother looked at him and motioned for him to take his seat. "Mom, that's your seat, not mine."
"It's yours now, Tim, sit down please" she replied.
Tim sat down at the table, feeling odd as he was never allowed to sit there. The ladies went about serving the food making sure everyone had something on their plate. Surprisingly, the meal was subdued and quiet. Caroline watched as Tim ate. Usually, he would scarf down his food as fast as he could to get through the meal. Now, he was taking his time, smiling, staring at his sister, and enjoying his food.
After they had finished eating, there was a light chat about the upcoming holidays and what was needed to be done. The ladies got up from the table and started clearing the dishes. Tim started to do the same but was told to sit down, they told him that there was a lot to talk about and to remain seated.
Tim sat there like he was in some form of trouble. He was going through his thoughts trying to remember if he had done something that may have placed him in harm's way. Finding none to think of, he kept his eyes on the three ladies just to be sure.
Angela looked at Tim and started to laugh "Why do you look like the cat that ate the canary?" Angela's laughter became contagious and the other two began to laugh as well.
His mother came to him and leaned in, kissing him on the forehead, "You are not in any trouble Tim, just sit and relax" she said.
Betty went into Caroline's bedroom and returned shortly with a large leather-bound book. It was the same book Tim noticed this morning before he left to take his test.
Betty slid the book in front of Tim and then retook her seat, the others finished up putting the dishes into the dishwasher, started it, then sat back down as well.
Tim visually inspected the book, the leather was old, very old. "What's this?" he asked.
Betty looked at Caroline, she nodded at her and started talking "This: Is a book of our heritage. It spans over 500 years and generations of our kin. We come from Irish royalty, Tim, we are the leaders of our clan. Your grandparents are on the council when your grandfather passed, your father took the seat. When he died, I took it, but according to family tradition, I can only hold it until a male child turns of age."
Tim said "that's why you wanted to wait, it's my turn to be on the council"
Caroline nodded and added " That, and the next items that you are to be told of as well as your rights under the family."
"What things mom?" he asked.
Caroline stared into her son's eyes "Are you ready to be the head of the table?"
"To be the man of the house?."
Tim stared back into his mom's eyes "Is that what you need me to mom?"
Caroline reiterated " Are you ready to be the man of my house and take the head of my table, son?"
Tim sat back in the chair, his mother's tone was direct, challenging, and very serious. Her facial expression was just as hard as her words. If this was to be his, he needed to be what his family deserved. He had always had a sense of strong honor towards family.
Both Angela and Betty looked from Tim to Caroline and back again.
"What happens if I decline?" asked Tim.
Betty's voice stepped in before Caroline could speak " Tim, in the 500 years of our reign, that has never happened."
Betty grabbed her phone and pressed a name, the phone started dialing the number she had chosen.
"Hello," said the voice. Everyone recognized the voice, it was Naomi, Betty, and Caroline's mother.
"Mom," Betty said, "If Tim denounced his place, what would happen?"
"Tim, are you there?" Naomi asked, "I am grandma" Tim replied.
"Grandson, I want you to listen to me very carefully. If you denounce your seat; you will be alone in this world. The ruling is, and this comes straight from the main book. In the event that a male refuses his standing, he is then demoted and shunned. In other words, grandson, you would be kicked out of the family, with no contact with anyone within the family. Not your mother, sister, or anyone, and their penalty is far worse if they break that rule."
Tim was surprised at his grandmother's statement and asked "That bad huh?."
Naomi replied, "Worse, they would have to give up all children and be shunned as well."
Tim replied "I see, so that's why a male doesn't say no"
Naomi "Mmhmm"
Tim questioned, "So, what would happen if I did accept?"
Naomi cleared her throat and said " I'll leave that explanation to the ladies there with you now, I'll see you on Thanksgiving, Happy Birthday, Timothy" and she hung up.
