Summary

The short story “Reunion” by John Cheever begins with the narrator, Charlie, talking about the last time he met his father. Charlie is on his way to a cottage rented by his mother and lets his father know that he is going to be in New York for a few hours until his train arrives. Charlie’s parents are divorced and his father is estranged, so Charlie is happy to see him and to spend some time together. 

Charlie and his father go to a restaurant outside Grand Central Station, where the father repeatedly shouts and treats the waiter rudely. The waiter asks him to leave, so Charlie and his father go to another restaurant, where they are eventually served alcoholic drinks. When Charlie’s father asks for another round of drinks, the waiter refuses…