Page 34 of Reclaimed Dreams

Daisy threw herself into the hug, and Natalie surrounded them both, pulling them both tight. Daisy tugged away and hugged Jo, pulling at Dom’s heartstrings.

“Rule number one in big families: privacy does not exist.” Enzo chuckled.

“Speaking of which, there are a lot of people in the kitchen who were very worried about you, little girl. Let’s go tell them the good news.” Jo drew them all into the kitchen where friends and neighbors had gathered around the table.

A cheer went up when Daisy came through the door. Sofia and Adrian had been on their way over to see Daisy’s costume when they’d gotten the call about the excitement. Frankie had a standing Halloween date to mooch chocolate from the trick-or-treat bowl. A few neighbors who’d helped search had stayed for wine and beer once they’d found out Daisy was safe.

“Also, since I will soon be an official grandma, I will henceforth be known as JoNana to all of my grandchildren.”

“Including me?” asked Daisy shyly.

JoNana pulled her into a side hug and grinned. “You most of all! You gave it to me. You’ve got the important job of teaching all these babies how to say it, seeing as you’re the only one who can speak!”

Dom stood off to one side, watching his family officially welcome Daisy and Natalie with an ease he envied. He wanted to be happy for them, but he couldn’t get past the pile of rubble created when his dreams had come crashing down. LA? Who wanted to live in LA? But he’d have to come to terms with it, because the thought of losing another son permanently was intolerable.

9 years ago

“Make sure you get it square.”

“I got it, Dad. Jeez, you’d think I’d never framed anything before. I know how to do this.” Gabe balanced a level on top of the deck framing and raised his beam a quarter of an inch before sinking the screws that should hold it steady.

Dom lifted his hands and leaned back. “Old habits die hard. I’ve been teaching you for so many years, it’s hard to stop.”

“Well you could at least make an effort,” Gabe quipped as he lined up the corner of the frame with the T-square. “No one would ever believe you trust me enough to hand over the company.”

“I don’t yet.”

“I don’t think you ever will, but that’s okay. I’ve got time.” Gabe sank two more screws and grinned.

Dom thought over the plans Jo kept talking about for travel and hobbies. “Not as much time as you think. Your ma is getting antsy.”

“Well, I might need a few years before I’m ready to take over.”

“Wait, what? What are you talking about?” Dom wasn’t ready either, but hearing Gabe wasn’t was news to him.

Gabe laid down the electric screwdriver and sat on the finished crossbeams, legs dangling into the space below. “There hasn’t been a good time to bring it up, but now is as good as any. Seth and I enlisted.”

“Enlisted what? A crew of able-bodied men to join the business?”

“We’re the able-bodied. Joining the army.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Dom took off his safety glasses, as if that might help him see this situation more clearly.

“Dad, just listen. Seth talked about joining up, and I thought it was a good idea.”

“Well it wasn’t, but don’t worry. I’ll go down there tomorrow and get you unenlisted.”

Gabe shook his head and grabbed his water bottle. He took a healthy swallow before tossing it back on the ground. “No, Dad, you won’t. I’m going.”

“This is stupid.”

“No, it isn’t. It’s a rational plan. Let me explain.”

Dom snatched up the electric screwdriver to anchor the frame to the supports sitting on concrete footers they’d laid out yesterday. The loud, repetitive whirring drowned out the words he couldn’t bear to hear.

Gabe unplugged the drill. “Dad, listen. Please.”

Dom crossed his arms and waited, formulating his argument to convince his son to back out of this idiocy. Every bone in his body was vibrating with the conviction that this was idiocy, pure and simple. Anytime you had to convince someone you were being rational, you likely weren’t.

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