“Once something about you is out there, and if it doesn’t fit in with some influential group’s way of thinking, then you might as well pack it in. Being labeled a privileged white male is already a problem. It doesn’t take too much of a leap to see the masses boycott your business or drum you out of politics.”
“Why bother, if they’re going to find dirt anyway?” I asked.
“As Tsuyoshi said, so far, you’ve done a good job of not shooting yourself in the foot. What you need to do is emulate someone like Tom Brady,” Uncle John said.
“Tom Brady is an American football quarterback,” I explained to Mr. Nomura.
He gave me the adult version of the eye roll.
“Just because I live in Japan, doesn’t mean I don’t know who Tom Brady is.”
I held up my hands in surrender.
“Brady does it by being as boring and private in his views as he can get away with. This would fit your All-American Boy persona,” Uncle John said.
“I hate to say it, but you probably shouldn’t get involved in any political discussions or support candidates in the future,” Grandma Dawson said with a frown. Then she smiled. “That is, until you decide to put your hat in the ring. We don’t want to create a record for you to run on until we have to, politically speaking.”
“Good advice,” Mr. Nomura added.
◊◊◊
Aunt Bonnie was the star when she said she made dessert. I had to agree. My favorite pie is pecan, and now my new favorite dessert might just be the caramel-pecan tart with a shortbread crust. Pairing it with coffee would give me both a sugar and caffeine buzz for days.
My uncle and Tsuyoshi seemed to be kindred spirits; they strolled out back to enjoy a companionable scotch and cigar. Grandma Dawson and Aunt Bonnie decided to use the media room and watch a movie. I’d set it up so my streaming video account would automatically come up. I wasn’t sure what Lexi was up to.
Rather than hang out with the old folks, I stepped into my room and called Brook.
“Hey, Hotness,” I said in greeting.
“I assume you talked to Cassidy,” she said.
“We did have a little heart-to-heart.”
“Thank you for that. It has been killing me how upset she was.”
“I’ll be there to make sure she’s okay,” I assured my ex-girlfriend.
“Who will be there to make sure
“I will, but you don’t really need me,” I assured her.
“Why’s that?”
“Because you’re the strongest woman I know. You’ll own your new high school within a couple of weeks, and then you’re off to Princeton, where you’ll kick serious butt.”
“But what if I falter?”
“I’m just a phone call away. It’s not like I can’t catch a plane and be there in a few hours. When I get back, the first thing I’m going to do is get my pilot’s license,” I said.
I only needed two more hours of flight time before I could take the test and then survive my check ride to get my private pilot license. Next, I would work towards obtaining my instrument rating so I could fly in less than ideal conditions.
After that, we’d see. If I got serious, I would probably work towards multi-engine or even jet qualifications. For grins, I might look into learning to fly helicopters. That would be a tremendous asset if I lived in LA. It would sure beat the traffic.
“Someday, I’ll have to tell you how special you are. You don’t know how close I came to taking Cassidy up on her offer to let me live with her.”
“When do you leave?” I asked.
I didn’t want to talk about her possibly staying because it was all I could do to let her go.
“We fly out tomorrow.”
“So, I won’t see you before you’re gone?” I asked.
“No, sorry. I have to enroll in my new school,” Brook said, and then I could hear her sound happier. “Guess where I’m going?”
“I’m hoping an all-girls boarding school.”
“You got it on the first try. Except I won’t be doing the boarding stuff. Some of my cousins go there, so I’ll at least know a few people.”
“The first day you’re there, pick out the toughest girl and kick her butt. It’ll cut down on the bullying,” I suggested.
She laughed at me.
“I’ll tell my mom what you suggested; I’m sure she’ll love that. You might remember that I was already in one fight, and Mom came a little unhinged when that happened,” Brook said.
“The girl in question had it coming,” I said in support.
“That she did,” she said and then got quiet. “I wish I wasn’t leaving. The only thing that makes it bearable is knowing you’ll always be my friend.”
“Me too. I love you,” I said, and then we said goodbye.
It was official. Brook Davis was leaving.
◊◊◊
Chapter 33 – Decision Made Friday January 13
Uncle John and I bailed on everyone and went to breakfast together. I received a text from Manaia promising bodily harm if I didn’t tell him where we’d gone, so I did. He came in once we’d received our drinks, but before we ordered.
“Nice,” he complained.
“He just wants me to feed him,” I told Uncle John.
“There’re still bagels at the house,” Manaia pointed out.
“Do you two bicker like this all the time?” Uncle John asked.
We looked at each other and laughed.
