Hearing that, Emily’s frown disappeared, her eyes lighting up.
“Really?” she asked, staring at me.
“When have I ever lied to you?”
“Fine. I’ll do what you say.”
Half an hour later, I took them to the most famous high-end steakhouse in Denver, where the average bill was thousands per person.
Mom had never eaten at a Western restaurant, never had steak.
I remembered her once saying she wanted to try it.
“Daniel, this place… it must be expensive,” Mom whispered, glancing around nervously.
“It’s not. Just fifty-eight dollars a person.”
“Dad, don’t lie. I looked it up online—the minimum is $1,988.” Ethan interjected.
“What? That much? Then I won’t eat here…” Mom stood up, panicked.
I shot Ethan a furious glare and gently guided Mom back into her seat.
“Mom, it’s rare for us to travel. Eating something good is what you deserve. You raised me all these years, and I’ve never properly shown you my gratitude. Sit down and enjoy—it won’t cost much.”
“Daniel, I know you have a good heart. But it’s too expensive. Why don’t you all eat here, and I’ll just find a noodle shop downstairs?”
“She’s right,” Emily muttered. “This fancy steak is wasted on her. Noodles suit her better.”
“Enough,” I snapped, frowning.
Emily opened her mouth again, but then remembered the promise I had made.
She knew better than to push me now.
The steaks and wine arrived soon after.
Mom awkwardly held the knife and fork, clearly unsure what to do.
Smiling, I showed her how to use them.
When she still struggled, I simply cut the steak into small pieces for her.
She ate two bites.
Then, hearing Ethan say he wasn’t full, she set aside her own steak for him.
But Ethan suddenly exploded.
He swept all the beef she’d put onto his plate onto the floor.
“You ate from it already! You think I’d eat your leftovers? Disgusting!”
“Sweetheart, I hadn’t touched those pieces—”
“If it was on your plate, then it’s dirty!”
Mom’s eyes reddened with tears of humiliation.
She bent down, trying to pick the beef up.
I stopped her.
Then, with a sharp crack, I slapped Ethan across the face.
The sound echoed.
Ethan froze, eyes wide in shock.
Emily, too, was stunned.
“Ethan Parker, I raised you to respect your grandmother. Did you ignore everything I taught you?”
“Dad, I’m not wrong! Eating her leftovers could spread germs! I could get sick!”
Tears streamed down Ethan’s cheeks as he glared at me defiantly.
“It was my fault. I wasn’t careful,” Mom quickly interjected, trying to ease the tension.
“Take your son back to the hotel,” I told Emily.
“Come on, Ethan. Let’s go,” she muttered.
Emily didn’t want to push me too far.
She was still waiting for me to hand over the money.
When they were gone, I gently took Mom’s hand.
Fighting back tears, I said, “Mom, I’m sorry. I’ve failed you. I haven’t raised him right.”
“Silly boy, I don’t blame you. I only feel sorry for you. You work so hard every day. Where do you find the time to teach him properly? And me—I have so little education. Even if I wanted to teach him, I wouldn’t know how.”
Mom gave a bitter smile.
