#Chapter 323: Old Friends

Karl Before the speech, I had stepped away briefly to speak with an old family friend who I spotted in the bustling crowd. “Eugene,” I said as I walked up to him, holding my hand out to shake his. “I can’t believe you’re here.” Eugene was a kindly older man who had known Ethan and I since we were just kids. I hadn’t seen him in so long, but he looked very much the same; just older, his spine a little more twisted with age. He chuckled, ignoring my handshake and instead opting to clasp my shoulder with a gnarled hand and give it a tight squeeze. “My boy, look how you have grown,” Eugene wheezed. “I can hardly believe my eyes.” I smiled. “You’ve grown, too, Eugene.” Eugene smirked and patted his rounded belly. “Ah, you know how it is. My wife’s cooking is too delicious to pass up… and from what I see, you’ve got your own wife—perhaps you should watch out.” As he spoke, he nodded his head toward Abby, who was standing near the wall. She looked utterly beautiful ton