Chapter 146: A Happy Junior
"Uncle Frank," Junior called out in surprise, watching Frank step in to defend him.
"You alright?" Frank turned to ask.
"I'm fine, thank you," Junior replied gratefully.
"Good. Guys like that are all bark and no bite. The more scared you look, the more they push their luck," Frank said.
"It's getting dark. I'll take you home," Frank said, walking with Junior back to the car.
"This your nephew?" Eric asked.
"Yep. Just call him Junior. And this is Eric," Frank said, introducing them. "Don't let his looks fool you—he's a well-known astrophysicist."
"What do you mean 'don't let his looks fool you'?" Eric grumbled.
"Um, Uncle Frank, can we maybe… not tell my parents about this?" Junior asked cautiously.
"You mean the beer-buying thing?" Frank asked.
"Yeah," Junior nodded, nervous.
"What's going on?" Eric asked, confused. Frank briefly explained the situation.
"That's not a big deal. How old are you again?" Frank asked.
"Sixteen."
"Sixteen, so basically seventeen. Round it up, that's eighteen. Basically an adult already. A little beer won't kill you. Your parents won't make a fuss," Frank said.
"Uncle Frank…" Junior sighed, clearly unsure.
"Don't worry. I won't say a word. By the way, you're old enough now—hasn't Walter ever had a drink with you?" Frank asked.
In many families, a father introducing his son to alcohol is a kind of rite of passage.
"My mom won't allow it," Junior replied.
"Figures," Frank said knowingly.
Frank had visited the Walters' home before and knew Walter was a bit henpecked—most things in the house were decided by Skyler.
"At that age and still never had a drink? That's rare," Eric added.
"Well then, if your parents won't teach you, Uncle Frank will," Frank grinned, changing direction and heading for the RV where Eric and his friends were staying.
"Huh?!" Junior was stunned.
"Well, well, where'd you pick up this little cutie?" Daisy's eyes lit up as she saw Junior step out of the car. This kind of fresh-faced charm was exactly her type.
"H-hi," Junior stammered, blushing as his gaze accidentally landed on Daisy's ample… "headlights."
"Hey hey! Jane, look—he's blushing! How cute!" Daisy giggled, nudging her friend Jane.
"He's my nephew, so hands off," Frank warned with a laugh, then quickly introduced everyone.
The five of them sat in a circle around the fire, drinking beer and enjoying barbecue. Frank tossed a can of beer to Junior.
"I can really drink this?" Junior hesitated, holding the can.
"Why not? You're nearly eighteen. It's actually weird you haven't had a drink yet. Kids your age are already sneaking out to buy booze—it's totally normal. Honestly, you're a bit late," Frank said.
"Well, okay…" Junior opened the can and took a sip, the foam tickling his lips.
"Cough! Cough!" He immediately choked. The bitter fizz was more intense than he expected, and he wasn't used to it at all.
"Haha! Slow down! No one's gonna take it from you," Frank laughed, patting him on the back.
"So this is what beer tastes like… not quite what I imagined," Junior said, wiping his mouth.
"You'll get used to it. I've got two sons about your age—if you meet them sometime, you'll see. No one needed to teach them anything; they figured out everything, good and bad, on their own," Frank said, sipping his beer.
Lip and Ian, around the same age as Junior, were already seasoned in life. Lip was a notorious womanizer, while Ian, who was gay, had secretly been with countless cute boys—he even had a thing for Captain America. Wild, to say the least.
Compared to them, Junior—sheltered, polite, and even hesitant to try a beer—was practically a model child. Not just Lip and Ian—even Carl, who wasn't even ten, drank like it was nothing.
Honestly, Frank was starting to really like Junior. Kids like him gave a father figure a sense of pride.
A few sips in, Junior was already feeling tipsy.
While Frank and Eric chatted and drank, Daisy took it upon herself to look after Junior. She was seriously into him, and didn't mind the crutch or his slightly slurred speech at all.
After finishing one can, Frank cut him off—no need to overdo it, especially since he still had to take him home.
"Frank, once I wrap up my research and publish my paper, let's have a real drink together. Where do you live?" Eric asked.
"I don't actually live here—just visiting. I'll be gone soon. By the time you're done, I'll probably be back home."
"Where's that?" Eric asked.
"Chicago. Here's the address." Frank gave it to him and they exchanged contact info.
Since Eric and his friends were leaving early the next morning, none of them drank much. A few beers were nothing to Frank and Eric.
It was getting late, and after cleaning up, Frank drove Junior home.
By then, Junior had mostly sobered up—and had even managed to get Daisy's contact info.
"Next time, I'll drink you under the table!" Eric said, giving Frank a hug before they parted ways.
"So, did you have fun?" Frank asked as they drove.
"Yeah, I had a great time. Thank you, Uncle Frank," Junior replied, still visibly excited.
Junior had never left their small town before. Because of his disability, his parents—Walter and Skyler—had always been extra protective and strict.
But now he was hitting that rebellious age. He wanted independence, wanted to try things, and hated being constantly controlled. That's why he'd tried to secretly buy beer and hang out with some sketchy friends.
But tonight, Frank had shown him how to drink properly and brought him to a real cookout.
Sure, his family did barbecues too, but it was always relatives—like his aunt and uncle. Never girls like Daisy, beautiful and bold, with a chest that could knock a man flat.
---
(Note: Junior = Walter White Junior = Flynn)