Chapter 75

Dad tasted it and rolled his eyes. “Awesome!”

Michelle crowed. “Oh, yes, totally awesome. Better than sweet potato pie back home.” She cast her gaze on Dad. “I’ll trade my truck for these two boys.”

They kissed, then Dad said, “Michelle and I will clean up. You boys make your lists for life.” The boys started to walk off and Dad called them back. “One more thing. Sometimes it takes a while for our attitudes to change or for lessons to seep into our brains. Sometimes we need to hear information more than once. You’re both good men. Don’t pick on yourselves so much. Respect yourselves. Love yourselves.”

The boys came to attention and bowed to him like at the end of a Jujitsu class. 29

After the pep talk, Brian felt better, lighter. While he used to hate getting up early for work, he began to enjoy it. That included seeing the sunrise each morning.

One day when he got to work, Rico greeted him. “Buon giorno, my friend—”

He stopped and grinned.

Brian checked low. “Is my fly open?”