Chapter 29: Malibu room
A few days later, I had more meetings - this time at UCLA, in a private room, and with more people. Besides Gerald and James, there were, of course, Terence Tao (professor at UCLA), Pierre Deligne, and Benedict Gross.
I honestly don't know what surprised them more - the mathematical part, or the fact that I drove a Ferrari.
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"Hi"
"Hi, Uncle Charlie," Jake said, seeing his uncle walk in.
"How was your game?" Alan asked.
"The musician's softball league is a joke. Guys trying to catch stuff that isn't there. People throwing up on an easy double-play ball," Charlie complained.
"So why do you go?" Alan asked.
"There's an open bar, and they let me pitch."
"I've got to get dressed," Alan said, heading off.
"Hey, Dad, want some scrambled eggs?" I asked while stirring the pan.
"Sure," he replied, turning toward me. "Looks like you've got company," he added with knowing grin, glancing at the girl beside me.
"Yep, I met this lovely lady while walking on the nearby beach," I smiled at her.
"Hi, I'm Penny," she introduced herself politely
"Charlie - the father of this fine young man," he replied smoothly.
"Penny's from Nebraska, spending her vacation here. I'm just showing her a bit of Californian hospitality," I added with a smirk
and the four of us had breakfast together (Jake decided to eat again - kiddo is a mix of Manny and Luke).
Later, while Penny and I were still sitting at the kitchen table, Charlie was on the couch explaining to my cousin how to check the caller ID so he wouldn't keep answering random calls - especially from certain women.
Penny was glaring at me.
"What?" I turned to her. "You're flying back to Nebraska tomorrow. It's not like you'd expect a call from me - or make one here." I pulled her in for a kiss.
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We kept kissing until afternoon. Eventually, Penny said she'd go back to her hotel to rest for a while, but we agreed to meet again that night at a party not far from the house.
When I walked back in, my grandmother was already leaving, with Charlie and Alan following her.
"In case you're at all interested, I've been seeing a man - and he just might be the one," Evelyn announced, looking at both of them.
"Fifth time's the charm," Alan muttered with an awkward smile.
"Fourth," she corrected sharply.
"But what about the guy-" Alan began.
"That one was annulled," she cut him off.
"Boy! Are we getting a new daddy?" Charlie said sarcastically.
"Bite me, Charlie," Evelyn shot back. "I'd like to have dinner at the house so you boys can meet him," she continued.
"Two days from now - Saturday night, seven o'clock." She didn't leave them room to refuse. "It's very important to me, and I hope you can make it. But of course, I'll understand if you're too busy for your mother."
Wow. That was a low blow.
"Francis, walk me to the car," she said, smiling as she placed a hand on my arm.
Before she could speak, I covered her hand with mine. "Save your comments until I show you two things."
We walked to the garage, and Evelyn watched as I retrieved a wrapped package from the Ferrari.
"Here," I said, handing it to her. "I bought this car and gifts for all my family members with the life insurance money from my mother." I had already given presents to Charlie, Alan, and Jake as well.
"Hermès Kelly bag," grandmother noted with an appreciative look at the elegant gift.
Then, silently, I handed her a few papers.
She unfolded them slowly.
"This is…" she murmured.
"Recommendation letters from Harvard, Caltech, and Toronto," I revealed. "I can join any of them - not as a student, but as an adjunct professor."
Evelyn widened her eyes, her expression genuinely shocked
"But I still want to enjoy high school. It's not exactly a secret, but I'd rather keep things discreet."
The biggest names in mathematics already know, but it'll take a while before the entire academic community catches on. In my family, only Jay and Gloria are aware.
"With a mind like yours, I assume you haven't spent most of the money recklessly, have you?" my grandmother asked with a poisoned smile.
"I know what I'm doing," I replied with a nod
Evelyn let out a low laugh, touched with irony, "How does a boy like you come from Charlie? I might have to invite a few more guests to dinner - perhaps some lovely daughters or granddaughters of my friends."
"Careful with your thoughts, Grandmother. I don't like people meddling in my love life. I might have Dad's face, but a few traits could've come from you," I replied with a defiant smile.
Grandmother was a top bitch - but that wasn't necessarily a bad thing, as long as she was on my side.
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"Wow, that was incredible," Penny said, catching her breath. We were lying naked in my bed in the Malibu bedroom, still basking in the aftermath of the party.
"I thought Nebraska girls were wilder," I teased, brushing her hair aside. "And had more stamina."
"Just wait till I catch my breath," she shot back playfully. "Then I'll show you."
"What makes you think I'd let you rest, Penny?" I murmured, positioning myself over her.
"That's not fair," her lips protested, but her hands were already roaming all over me.
Since my cousin was staying at his mom's house, I didn't have to worry about anything. Which was good, because Penny was quite the screamer.
If the neighbors complained, I could just blame it on Charlie
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Author's Note: The MC won't end up like his father; he'll have a new girlfriend in a few chapters.
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