Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 61591 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 308(@200wpm)___ 246(@250wpm)___ 205(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61591 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 308(@200wpm)___ 246(@250wpm)___ 205(@300wpm)
“Sure, I get that. Isn’t it kind of a dead-end job, though? There’s not really any room for advancement, or—”
“I don’t care about promotions. But as you know, I’m working toward a college degree, so I can become a counselor.”
“Right, but that’s going to take years,” his dad said. “You need a bachelor’s degree, then a master’s, right? Not to mention special certifications? I don’t know the whole process, but you’re going to be well over forty by the time you finish your studies, and then you’ll just be starting your career.”
“I’m not in any hurry.”
His dad kept pressing. “If you got a job as a contractor, you could still work toward your degree. But you’d also be able to put some money in the bank, with what those jobs pay. Like I was saying, with my connections, they’re yours for the asking.”
Tracy fidgeted with his napkin as he said, very quietly, “I already said no, Dad.”
An awkward silence descended on the table. After a while, I tried to make conversation by asking Hector, “How long are you in town?”
“I fly out first thing Sunday morning.”
“Where are you currently stationed?”
“I’m assigned to the American embassy in London through the end of the year.”
“Oh, wow. What’s that like?”
“Like any other assignment, really.”
“London seems like such an interesting city. I’ve never been.” I turned to Tracy and tried to draw him into the conversation. “Have you?”
I had no idea I was opening a can of worms with that question. Tracy didn’t look at me as he muttered, “After my breakdown and hospital stay, my father pulled some strings and got me assigned to a desk job at the embassy. I guess he thought it would be a good place to hide me away.”
A note of frustration crept into his father’s voice. “I thought the change of scenery would be good for you.”
“I should have taken a medical discharge after I got out of the hospital. I don’t know why I let you talk me into finishing my contract.”
“We both thought it was the best decision at the time.”
A muscle worked in Tracy’s jaw as he muttered, “No, you thought it was the best decision.”
“Yes, I did. It was important to finish out your obligation. Besides, how would I have explained a medical discharge?”
Tracy looked pained as he asked, “Explained it to who, your Army buddies?”
“To everyone! What happened was your personal business, and not something I chose to discuss.”
“Because you were ashamed of me.”
The words hung in the air. His father looked guilty and didn’t try to deny it. I had no idea what to say, or how to steer the conversation back on track.
Fortunately, the waiter returned just then with our drinks. The moment the wine hit the table, Hector and I tossed it back. I wished it was something stronger. When the waiter asked if we were ready to order, all three of us picked up our menus and ordered the first things we saw.
When we were alone again, Hector took a stab at changing the subject. “So, Everett. What do you do for a living?”
I was more than happy to take the ball and run with it. “I used to own a gym in L.A., but I sold it earlier this year. Now I’m building one here in San Francisco that’s four times the size.”
As Hector asked some questions and I told him all about my fitness center, Tracy’s posture relaxed—just a little. We managed to make it through dinner this way. I felt bad about dominating the conversation, but both father and son seemed more than fine with it.
At the end of the meal, all of us declined coffee and dessert, and Tracy excused himself to go to the men’s room. As soon as he was gone, Hector turned to me and said, “You’re his boyfriend, aren’t you?”
“It, um… it’s complicated.”
“It’s okay. I know Tracy probably told you not to say anything, because he thinks I don’t approve. I’ll admit, it’s odd for me, since he’s never introduced me to anyone before. But you seem like a good man.”
“Why did you wait until he was gone to say that?”
“I figured it would make him uncomfortable. We’ve never been close, and I worry about saying the wrong thing and making everything even worse.”
“What do you think is preventing you two from being close?”
“A lifetime of history, I suppose. When he was a kid, he and his mom were very close, and I was only able to spend time with him between deployments. Then, after she died, we were both devastated. I couldn’t give him the support he needed, because I was going through it, too. He was only ten years old at the time, poor kid. I remarried as soon as I could because he needed a mother, but he never bonded with either of my ex-wives, or the girlfriends I brought around later. I think it actually made things worse instead of better.”