Page 35 of Reclaimed Dreams

“College was expensive, and you’re paying for three more besides. If I go work for the army for a few years, they can pay my room and board and salary. I’ll save a bunch of money, pay off my college debt and have the GI Bill money to pay for business school.”

“I saved enough. Between the rental income and the loans, you got through all right.”

“Can you say you’ll still have enough by the time Frankie goes through college if you’re still on the hook for my loans and Fi’s and Enzo’s?”

“I’ve busted my ass for nearly thirty years. I kept you fed and clothed and safe, and it’s still not enough. Your mother and I will make it work, and cover the gaps with loans. And what’s this about business school?”

“Dad, I don’t think we should go further into debt if we don’t have to. We’ve talked about me taking over the business, but I don’t know anything about managing people or running the financial side of things.”

“That’s your mother’s job. She handles all of that.”

Gabe just stared at him for a minute before rolling his eyes. “And you don’t think Ma is going to want to retire along with you? You and Zio Tony have done just fine, but I want to do more than just run the business. I want to grow it. I don’t want to always have to be the guy with sawdust in his hair, if I can also be the guy who wears a suit and tie. And if I have to wear a bit of camouflage to make that happen, I will.”

Dom hated that he could see the logic behind his son’s choice. He doubled down on his anger and ignored the persistent twinge of panic. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. And if it is broke, Valentis fix it together. The company has run just fine this way for years. You don’t have to go off to war to pay for grad school. We can find another way.”

Gabe put his hand on Dom’s shoulder. “I’m not asking you, Dad. I’m telling you what I’ve decided. I’m going in for three years, see a bit of the world outside California, and then I’ll come back and take over the business.”

“You’ve been outside California.” Dom was grasping at straws to keep the conversation going until he could figure out the magic words to convince his eldest child to stay.

“We drove to the Grand Canyon when I was fifteen. That hardly counts.”

Had it really been so long since they’d taken a road trip? Dom knew they hadn’t taken a ton of vacations, but surely Gabe had forgotten some. Or else he’d inherited his mother’s wanderlust spirit. She was always talking about the places she’d like to visit. In fact, a family road trip might be just the thing to distract Gabe from this nonsense.

“If you want to travel, we can travel. I’ll pack up the car—”

“Dad, stop. It would still be too expensive and not get me where I want to be regarding school. Besides, I want to serve my country. You always said we should be proud to be Americans and to vote and take care of our community. Think of this as an extension of that civic pride.”

“Who told you to listen so closely when I spout off on the Fourth of July?” Gabe chuckled but Dom couldn’t find the breath to laugh. “I’m worried, son. This is a dangerous decision. The army doesn’t just march around and do push-ups. They engage in active war zones. You could get hurt or worse. Also, you expect me to believe that you’re going to listen to your commanding officer when you’ll barely listen to me?”

“Dad. I’m a grown man. I can take care of myself, and yes, I know how to listen to a boss. I don’t listen to you because you’re my dad.” Gabe said it teasingly, but Dom couldn’t help feeling like it was more truth than tease.

He grappled with the thought that he wouldn’t be able to change his son’s mind. His plans for the future were falling through his fingers, and the tighter he gripped, the faster they slipped. Oh God, and what would Jo say about all this?

“Have you told your mother yet?” Dom didn’t think Gabe had, because he’d have heard about it for sure. Jo was going to flip.

“About that…I was kind of hoping you could tell her?”

“How can you claim to be army strong and then be too chickenshit to talk to your own mother? Absolutely not. You tell her and break her heart.”

“Hey, it was worth a shot. I will tell her. I just wanted you to know first. Will you at least back me up?”

“I make no promises. I’m still hoping she can talk some sense into you.”

“Trust me, Dad. Everything is going to be fine. This is the plan that makes the most sense. You’ll see. Didn’t you ever long for adventure?”

Dom thought about that. No, he hadn’t, because he’d had Jo. This life they’d built together had been all-consuming. “No. I had everything I needed right here.”

“I will too by the time I come back, so I can build my life here knowing I did everything I needed to for our success.”

It wasn’t often that Dom lost an argument, but his charm had little effect on his son, and he couldn’t use brute strength to change his mind, unless he tied him to a chair and forbade it. Though the image appealed, he knew it wouldn’t work. Unfortunately, his eldest son was a lot like him, impulsive and stubborn as hell when he was convinced he was right.

Dom knew enough to know that if he continued to push, Gabe would just walk away and shut him out.

“I don’t have what I need here. I’m not even sure I know what I’m looking for, but I need to go see for myself. I love you, Dad. I need to do this.”

“Yeah, I’m getting that message loud and clear. I love you too. Just…just come back home safe and sound. I’ll keep the business going until you’re ready. Now, let’s finish this deck for your mother.”

As they fell into the easy repetitive flow of measure twice, cut once, lay the spacer and screw, Dom racked his brain for the argument to sway Gabe. But by the time they’d laid all the planks, Dom was still lost.

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