The Color of a Dream Read Online Free PDF

toward me and gave me a quick
kiss on the cheek. “I’ll see you guys later. Bye, Bentley.”
    With that, she was out the door.
    “Cute girl,” Rick said, slouching low in his
chair. “How long have you been dating her?”
    “A few months,” I replied.
    He nodded with approval as he pulled off his
sneakers and settled in to watch some television. “Nice work. I’m
sure you have nothing to worry about. Mom and Dad will think she’s
great.”
    “I’m not worried,” I informed him.
    Because it didn’t matter to me what they
thought. It only mattered how Angela and I felt about each
other.
    It’s unfortunate that I didn’t know, at the
time, that there would be other far worse things to worry about,
and none of them would involve my parents. Maybe if I had known, I
might have been able to prevent the worst of them from
happening.
    Or maybe not. I’ve come to learn that
certain things in life are beyond our control.
    Others are beyond comprehension.

Chapter Thirteen
     
    The turkey dinner on Christmas Day went
surprisingly well. Angela, Bentley, and I arrived at my parent’s
house around noon and my father was friendly and welcoming.
    It was a side of him I had seen many times
before. He was an impeccable host when guests crossed his
threshold, whoever they were.
    After we finished dessert and coffee, Angela
offered to help Mom clear off the table and wash the dishes.
    “Thank you, Angela,” Mom said. “What an
angel you are.”
    I offered to help as well, but Mom insisted
that I remain in the dining room to sip Madeira with Rick and Dad.
The only thing missing was a box of Havana cigars.
    “So Jesse,” Dad said, leaning back in his
chair at the head of the table. “Rick tells me you’re planning to
enroll in flight school. When is the application deadline?”
    My gaze shot to Rick’s and he winced
apologetically. “Sorry,” he said, “it slipped out.”
    I took a swig of the port, which was too
sweet for my taste, but in that particular moment, it didn’t really
matter.
    “I haven’t made up my mind,” I replied. “I’m
considering it, that’s all. Keeping all my options open.”
    My father’s eyes narrowed as he studied me
intently. “Programs like that are competitive,” he said. “You can’t
sit around thinking about it. It’s been awhile since you sat in a
classroom. The longer you wait, the harder it will be.”
    “I’ve never had problems in a classroom
before,” I told him. “I’m sure I’ll manage.”
    “You have to do more than just manage ,” he replied. “You have to take the bull by the
horns.”
    Dad continued to regard me with expectation
and when I gave no reply, he leaned forward. “It’s a good career
choice, son. And remember you can come to me if you need help with
tuition fees or living expenses. When the time comes.”
    I may have possessed a stubborn, independent
streak, but I wasn’t a fool. “Thanks Dad,” I said. “I appreciate
that. I’ll let you know if I decide to apply.”
    Dad nodded and turned his attention to Rick.
“So tell me more about the sports agency where you’ve been
interning. What sort of clients do they represent?”
    The direction of the spotlight shifted to my
brother, as it always did, and I relaxed back in my chair.
    * * *
    After we finished sipping the port, I
volunteered to go outside and collect some kindling from the
woodpile so Dad could light a fire in the living room
fireplace.
    “Let’s go, Bentley,” I said, giving a
whistle as I made my way through the kitchen where Angela and Mom
were finishing up the dishes. He rose from his place on the rug and
trotted out the back door behind me.
    A light snow had fallen—just a small dusting
of white across the fields. There was still some light in the sky,
enough for me to toss a ball for Bentley and let him run back and
forth into the orchard a few times.
    A short while later, with a heavy load of
firewood in my arms, I walked back into the house. But as I entered
the