Chapter 15 — Differences Between Father and Son
Arriving at the vacation spot, everyone stepped out of the cars one by one. The fresh lake breeze brushed against their faces, and the quiet rustling of trees filled the background. At that moment, Bella had finally woken up from her nap. She stretched slightly, blinking at the sunlight filtering through the branches. Dante immediately looked at his sister, concern written all over his face.
"Feeling better?" he asked gently.
Bella nodded. "I'm fine now. It was just a headache — it's gone."
"Alright," Dante said, though his eyes still scanned her face as if checking for any sign she might be hiding. "If you feel bad again, tell me, okay?"
Bella laughed softly. "Yes, I'll tell you if I feel bad again."
As everyone finished gathering their things, Sera looked at the large house by the lake and smiled. "It's a beautiful lake house."
Charlie took a deep breath of the fresh air and said, "Well, it'll be good to spend a vacation away from the city for a change."
Dante, however, had other priorities. "Speak for yourself, Dad. I have commitments. A beautiful woman is waiting for me. This week is going to be torture for someone who finally got a girlfriend." He sighed dramatically, already picturing long nights with a cold pillow as his only companion.
They walked toward the house, gravel crunching under their feet. When they arrived, Lenny was outside turning off the bug zapper. Dante sighed internally. Kids are so innocent — even the death of a fly makes them sad.
Inside the house, Rob clapped his hands and announced, "Well, let's choose the rooms."
Lenny nodded. "Alright, let's choose the rooms then."
Dina looked at Rob and asked sweetly, "Honey, could you show us the rooms?"
Rob nodded. "Yes." Leading them to the master bedroom, he said, "Well, since Lenny is paying for everything, I think it's fair he gets this room."
Lenny raised a hand. "I really appreciate it, but why don't you let the kids stay in the room?"
Dante, seeing the younger kids walking toward the bedroom, glanced at his parents with exaggerated seriousness. "Well, since Lenny said the room is for the kids, I'll just get a room in town. Don't worry — I'll visit you here. Maybe. Who knows." He slowly began backing away like someone avoiding danger.
Charlie caught him by the sleeve. "My son, in case you haven't noticed, sixteen years old still means kid. Am I right, everyone?"
Sera nodded. "Right."
Lenny added, "He's absolutely right."
Roxane laughed. "Yes, still a kid."
The others agreed without hesitation.
Charlie turned to Dante with a firm but playful look. "So. Kids' room."
Dragging his suitcase inside, Dante looked like a man walking toward his doom. Zero motivation, zero hope.
Lenny asked curiously, "What was that about?"
Charlie sighed. "He's been very mature since he was little, so he forgets he's still a kid. I just want him to have fun like someone his age."
Charlie continued, "Do you guys remember what we used to do at his age?"
Lenny burst into laughter. "Yes, we had a lot of fun with every stupid idea."
Kurt raised an eyebrow. "Well, with every stupid idea from Lenny, you mean."
Meanwhile, Dante placed his bags on the floor and collapsed onto the couch. It could be worse, he thought dramatically. I could be sharing a room with the old lady with elephant-sized bunions. It's all a matter of perception.
With a resigned sigh, Dante reached for his only hope in this cruel, unfair world — a Nintendo DS.
He began playing Mario, shoulders slumped. Poor me, so screwed… Me, a guy who used to play on Steam Deck, PS5, and ROG Ally, now trapped with a Nintendo DS. Sad… This is punishment for complaining about Nintendo graphics. Even though I complained — and I'll complain again. That's what they get for charging absurd prices for a 10-year-old game and never lowering the price. Damn greedy Nintendo.
While he was immersed in the tiny screen, he noticed Lenny entering the room and dragging his kids outside to play. Dante sneered internally. Better them than me, my friends.
He returned to the game — until he noticed Charlie staring at him.
Dante frowned. "Why did I have to celebrate outside the house with my Nintendo being kidnapped?"
Later, lying near the peaceful lake with the water shimmering in the sunlight, Dante closed his eyes, enjoying the warmth. My father wants me to play like a kid… That's hard, old man. I'm a dragon — acting like a kid isn't easy. I'm not kid Margaret who can prove
Opening his eyes again, he watched everyone splashing, laughing, chasing each other in the water. "But the vibe isn't bad," he admitted quietly. "I really don't like participating in this mess, but I don't mind appreciating the view."
He let himself drift into a nap.
Charlie looked over at him and sighed. "He really doesn't like activities."
"Admit it, Sheriff," Lenny said. "Your son just doesn't like excitement."
Kurt shrugged. "And there's nothing wrong with that."
Rob added, "Let the boy be. He just doesn't like the same things you do. That's normal."
Charlie sighed again. "Well, I guess you're right. He's a good kid — never gives trouble. Just because he doesn't like excitement doesn't mean we can't have a father–son moment. Thanks, guys. Let's drink."
While they enjoyed their drinks, Sera observed from afar and sighed.
Roxane noticed. "What is it, girl?"
"It's nothing…" Sera said softly. "It's just that Dante and Charlie don't understand each other very well. They have totally different tastes. Charlie loves sports, while Dante finds them boring."
In her mind, she added, Well, the real reason is probably that there's no fun in watching a sport where everyone is so weak from his perspective that the game looks like slow motion. As a werewolf, she knew how painfully boring normal human activities could be for supernatural beings.
Roxane smiled gently. "I don't think you should worry. I've seen how they treat each other and how they talk. Even when Charlie wanted Dante to come outside, he didn't refuse, even though he clearly didn't want to. They'll understand each other."
Sera smiled back. "Thank you for the kindness."
Roxane winked. "It's nothing, dear."
Later that night, everyone was seated at a restaurant. The lively chatter of locals, the smell of grilled food, and the soft lighting created a warm atmosphere.
Erick announced proudly, "You guys can eat whatever you want — it's on me."
Charlie looked at his kids. "Bella, Dante, what are you going to have?"
Dante straightened up. "Well, as a loyal believer of the carnivore world, I'll have a burger, fries, and the coldest Coca-Cola possible." He looked at the waitress.
"Got it, sweetheart. Anything else?" she asked.
Dante gave her a charming smile. "No, thank you for the service. That'll be all."
Lenny leaned toward Charlie and whispered, "I've never been so thankful that I don't have a daughter the same age as your son. I love you like a brother, but I do not want to join your family."
Everyone burst into laughter.
Dante looked at them, rolled his eyes playfully, then turned to Bella. "Aren't you gonna eat anything?"
"I want a salad," she replied.
"Got it."
He called the waitress again. "Excuse me, lovely lady, could you bring my sister a salad? I'd appreciate it."
The waitress blushed slightly. "Yes, I'll bring it now." Then she hurried off.
Dante suddenly realized everyone was staring at him.
"What? Did I do something wrong?" he asked, smiling innocently.
Lenny and the other husbands immediately stepped in front of their wives like bodyguards. "Not here. Don't use that smile on them."
Dante had no idea what was happening.
Bella, watching the absurd scene unfold, finally laughed — truly laughed — for the first time since arriving. Seeing her laugh made Dante genuinely happy.
Later that night, after everyone had eaten, talked, and relaxed, Dante finally retrieved his beloved Nintendo DS.
He looked at the handheld console and said, "Never again will I speak ill of you, my friend. Being without video games is worse than playing at 10 FPS."
Hearing raised voices, he looked up — only to see Lenny and his Latina wife arguing loudly about whether they should stay or leave. Dante, already used to this daily drama, returned to his game without a second thought.
Tomorrow, Bob's hot daughters arrive, he thought. The question is: to pursue or not to pursue? That is the question.
He looked out the restaurant window, thoughtful.
"Well, we'll see… Although compared to my brunette Margaret, my shortie Alice, and my future redhead Claire Dearing… I don't know. They look kind of plain. Not like the women I'm involved with — or planning to get involved with. They're really nothing special. They look like those extras in American Pie who show their boobs once and disappear."
Dante shook his head. "Yeah, forget it. Not every woman is worth chasing."
After some more time relaxing and having fun, they finally drove back to the lake house.
The night was quiet, the air cool, and the lake reflected the moon in peaceful ripples.
The day had been chaotic, funny, complicated — but undeniably memorable.