Chapter 9 Dad sprawled on the couch , already lost in a daydream of wealth . I mopped the floor and overheard him and Flynn fantasizing . " Dad , your buddy's really gonna make us rich ? " Dad puffed his chest . " Wolfe's a manager at a Fortune 500 company . He'd never lie to me . Everyone wants his attention - only I'm close enough for him to give us a shot . Forget the government test . You'll be a rich man's son soon . " They were drunk on their own delusions . With my mother involved ? Did they really think they'd ever see a dime ? Dream on . Then Mr. Wolfe arrived . Dad all but wagged his tail , pouring drinks and flattering him like a lapdog . He pulled out the Oak Barrel Bourbon , but when he poured , out came cloudy homemade ginger brew . I quickly explained , " Leftover rice fermented . Mom says it's healthier than liquor . " Dad's face shifted colors . Mom bustled in , telling me to bring out the food . One dish after another - leftovers , reheated and sad . Dad's face darkened further . He dragged Mom aside , hissing , " Didn't I give you money ? Where's the bourbon? Why are you serving leftovers ? " Mom shrugged . " That stuff's expensive . Better to save . And no point wasting food . " Dad forced a grin , bowing and scraping . " Sorry , Wolfe . Not much of a spread . Hope you don't mind . " Wolfe , being polite , tried to smooth it over . " No worries . Frugality's a virtue . Leftovers - reminds me of home . " Dad beamed , immediately putting on an act . " Exactly . We've always been thrifty . Waste not , want not . " They drank and laughed , pretending to bond - until Mom brought out a steaming bowl of " meat soup 1 " Here , try this . Took me forever to make . " Wolfe tasted it , frowning thoughtfully . " Pork or lamb ?" Mom preened . " Menudo . Bet you couldn't even tell , right ? " Wolfe's and Dad's faces went sheet - white . Wolfe dropped the bowl , rushed to the bathroom , and soon after headed straight to the hospital Dad tried to stop the car to apologize , only to get beaten bloody by Wolfe's bodyguards . When he staggered back home , he slapped Mom across the face . " Are you crazy ? He's allergic of beef ! Do you want him dead ?! " Mom clutched her cheek and snapped back , " Beef tripe isn't the same as beef . He's If anything , he just needs to build up a tolerance . " overreacting . How could anyone be allergic to that ?