Hostile
11-26-2008, 01:16 PM
I can't tell this story near as good as the kid it is about.
I know a kid whose Dad is a very staunch Republican. In fact, let's be honest, the things people claim to hate about Republicans are all the things that he is. It isn't an act either. He is a very good man who would give you the shirt off his back (provided you are not a Liberal), is very wealthy and still generous (to Conservative causes), but he is not what you'd call tolerant of Liberal views.
Think Archie Bunker with some Italian mafia (yes, I'm serious, he was related to Joe Banano) family social graces mixed in.
You got the picture in your head?
His son Tim is a good kid, but he has a nose for mischief. Well, without going into details of what kind of trouble he got himself into, Tim finds himself needing about $1500 to get himself out of a pickle. He doesn't have it, but his Dad carries close to that amount in his wallet daily. No, I'm not joking. I have seen him carry $10,000 around several times.
Tim's Dad is generous, but with his kids, he is cautious. He doesn't want to spoil them. Really, it's too late for that. All three of them are, but good people too.
So Tim went to his Dad and told him he has decided to change colleges and go to Berkeley. His Dad is immediately a bit upset and wants to know why. So Tim told him he wants to go to Art School. His Dad is now about to have a heart attack. He has envisioned his sons taking over the family business There is no room for an artist. He wants to know where Tim's head is. Tim told him that his head is in Berkeley with a guy named Charles and that he is gay.
Tim's Mom is a very level headed woman who keeps her husband very grounded. She is now trying to prevent him from having a nervous breakdown, in other words she's preventing him from killing Tim.
At the height of his Dad's angst Tim told him he was not gay, was not transferring to Berkeley, had no interest in Art, and really just needed $1500.
He got the money and a hug.
I know a kid whose Dad is a very staunch Republican. In fact, let's be honest, the things people claim to hate about Republicans are all the things that he is. It isn't an act either. He is a very good man who would give you the shirt off his back (provided you are not a Liberal), is very wealthy and still generous (to Conservative causes), but he is not what you'd call tolerant of Liberal views.
Think Archie Bunker with some Italian mafia (yes, I'm serious, he was related to Joe Banano) family social graces mixed in.
You got the picture in your head?
His son Tim is a good kid, but he has a nose for mischief. Well, without going into details of what kind of trouble he got himself into, Tim finds himself needing about $1500 to get himself out of a pickle. He doesn't have it, but his Dad carries close to that amount in his wallet daily. No, I'm not joking. I have seen him carry $10,000 around several times.
Tim's Dad is generous, but with his kids, he is cautious. He doesn't want to spoil them. Really, it's too late for that. All three of them are, but good people too.
So Tim went to his Dad and told him he has decided to change colleges and go to Berkeley. His Dad is immediately a bit upset and wants to know why. So Tim told him he wants to go to Art School. His Dad is now about to have a heart attack. He has envisioned his sons taking over the family business There is no room for an artist. He wants to know where Tim's head is. Tim told him that his head is in Berkeley with a guy named Charles and that he is gay.
Tim's Mom is a very level headed woman who keeps her husband very grounded. She is now trying to prevent him from having a nervous breakdown, in other words she's preventing him from killing Tim.
At the height of his Dad's angst Tim told him he was not gay, was not transferring to Berkeley, had no interest in Art, and really just needed $1500.
He got the money and a hug.