a sad little boy. When he gets in the car, he looks over at me.

"What's wrong, Dad?"

"Your mother is mad at me because I refuse to clean out the garage. She rolled her eyes when I told her that we are going to the movies."

"What is so important about a clean garage?"

My father sighs and stares out the window. "I have no idea, but after forty-two years of marriage, I have learned to keep my mouth shut."

Billy is in the back seat, and he is laughing.

"What's so funny back there, Billy boy?" my dad asks.

"Granny put you in a timeout. I think that's funny for a grown up!"

"Oh...well...I guess you're right."

I tell my dad, "Billy wants to visit his father before we go to the movies."

My dad looksmy future, but now, it's all I think about. My future with a wife and children, a job that I love, and parents that I treasure. And yes, my life is...perfect."

"What are you doing, Mike?" I hear Susan ask me. When I turn around, she is standing in the doorway. "I am talking to my mom, squirt. What are you doing up so early?"

"I'm thirsty. Can I have some milk?"

"Gotta go," I say to my mother. "The little princess wants milk."

"Okay honey. See you later today. Drive safely."

"Always Mom. I have precious cargo."

After disconnecting the call with my mother, I open the refrigerator and take out the milk. "Can I have cereal too, Mike. I'm hungry."

"Would you like pancakes instead of cereal?"

"With chocolate chips?"

"Of course. You don't make