George had unilaterally initiated a "cold war" to express his dissatisfaction with Connie.
He covered his face with a magazine, clearly indicating that he no longer wanted to see Connie.
However, George's childish behavior not only didn't cause Connie any trouble, but instead made her feel like she was watching a good show.
Connie expressed her happiness at making George unhappy.
It was just that the children were very sensitive to the "war" between adults: Missy stopped playing around and sat back next to Mike, her eyes darting back and forth between George and Connie.
Suddenly, she felt like she wasn't as happy as before.
As for Sheldon, he was looking at his parents with a thoughtful expression, and in his mind, he began to analyze the probability of their divorce again.
And Georgie… well, big-hearted Georgie was an exception. He didn't notice the change in the family atmosphere at all and was still seriously watching TV.
On TV, "Top Ten of the Week" had finished broadcasting, and now league highlights were being shown.
Mike's interview segment, with sweat on his face, was also broadcast to various homes in Texas in the form of highlights.
As Jack said, Mike's handsome face, as soon as it appeared on TV, attracted the attention of women.
Connie turned her head to look at Mike's still handsome face and suggested, "Mike, you should consider developing a career in Hollywood. Your face is definitely a work of art."
Mary and Missy nodded in agreement.
From a woman's perspective, playing football was hard, tiring, and prone to injury; it was nowhere near as respectable and glamorous as being a star.
However, Connie's words made George unhappy. As a football coach, he would not allow anyone to slander the sport of football.
"Heh—" George curled his lip and retorted, "With Mike's talent, he can win everything on the football field. Why should he sell his face, be a pretty face, and please the audience?"
In George's opinion, football symbolized struggle, effort, unity, and honor, which was much more respectable than an entertainment star who only sold their face to please the audience.
"Alright, alright, it's fine for Mike to make any choice," Connie first stated the facts, and then she deliberately provoked George, saying, "Unlike some people, who can only muddle through as a football coach in a small place."
When George was young, he had also had a glorious period, serving as a professional football player for a while.
After retiring, he even went to coach a university football team.
It was just his personality that made him unable to tolerate the bribery of the head coach of the university football team at the time, so he reported the other party.
However, what George didn't expect was that his act of reporting was deemed "treason" by the team and the school, leading to his dismissal.
Therefore, George's life could be described as having many ups and downs…
However, facing Connie's provocation, George was still unconvinced. He said sarcastically, "Yes, I'm not successful, but I've supported my family through my own efforts. Unlike some people, who don't even care for their own daughter and only care about gambling every day."
More than ten years ago, Connie was indeed addicted to gambling and neglected Mary, which gave George the opportunity to get close to her.
George bringing up the matter was an accusation that Connie was not a qualified mother.
Seeing that the two were about to escalate their conflict, Mike interrupted, "Alright, we've finished watching TV, it's time for us to eat, isn't it?"
"Yes, eat—" Mary echoed.
George's words just now also reminded this housewife of some unpleasant things from back then.
However, deep down, she still loved her mother. So, she found an opportunity to quietly remind her husband, "George, you should say less…"
As the saying goes: food is the best comfort for the soul.
The family came to the dining table, and after enjoying the delicious food, the atmosphere in the house warmed up again.
As the dinner party was about to end, Mary had also adjusted her mindset. She said with a smile, "Tomorrow is the church picnic, and there will be some small activities. We can just go and relax."
The gatherings organized by the church were more like a reward for the believers. At that time, believers could bring their families and go for a free outing.
At this moment, Mary bringing up this good news was also an attempt to ease the tense relationship between George and Connie.
"I refuse, I don't want to be with someone on a beautiful weekend," George said petulantly.
"Oh, that's a shame. Tomorrow Grandma will bring her special delicious brisket, so it seems someone won't have the good fortune to taste it." Connie deliberately annoyed George. Then, without waiting for him to retort, she stood up and said goodbye with a smile, "I'm full—"
"I'm full too." Mike also stood up and followed Connie; he felt it was necessary to try and persuade her again.
Connie's current behavior had already caused trouble for the Cooper family.
And after the two left, Mary's expression also turned cold: "George, can't you just give Connie a break?"
"How can I give in? She was the one who messed with me first." The more George thought about it, the angrier he got, slamming his knife and fork on the table and cursing, "It's all because of that damn brisket!"
"Calm down, George, she's my mother after all." Mary also got angry at her husband's rude behavior.
"Yes! She's your mother, you're family, and I'm an outsider." George vented his anger and got up from the dining table.
Mary didn't expect her husband to react so strongly. Looking at his retreating back, she showed a disappointed expression.
"Mom—" Missy asked cautiously, "If you and dad divorce, can I live with you?"
Beside them, Sheldon and Georgie also pricked up their ears.
Mary saw the reactions of her three children and realized that she had behaved somewhat poorly just now. She suppressed her thoughts, forced a smile, and comforted them, "Don't worry, children. Your father and I won't divorce. What we just had was a normal discussion, just a bit loud."
While Mary was comforting the three children, Mike was also trying to persuade Connie.
"Connie, you and George are family. Your relationship shouldn't continue to be so tense." Mike revealed, "Do you know that your conflict with George has already affected the Cooper family's normal life? Sheldon even thinks George will divorce Mary because of this."
"Oh, really?" Connie frowned and pondered for a moment, then returned to normal and said, "George can't even handle family relationships well. I should consider whether to let Mary find someone else…"
"Connie!" Mike sternly interrupted her to prevent her from continuing.
"Alright, I'm just kidding. Although George isn't great, he's a qualified husband and father." Connie shrugged, indicating that she had no intention of ruining her daughter's marriage.
Seeing her attitude soften, Mike took the opportunity to suggest, "Then, do you think you could give the brisket recipe to George? This could ease your relationship."
Connie's secret brisket was a catalyst; as long as she was willing, she could completely "bribe" George with the brisket recipe.