Taylor bowed his head. He's been playing the big gangster recently, and his confidence has shot through the roof. But in this house, he was his father's son and his mother's little boy.

He couldn’t even look them in the eyes. He was stained and he knew it. He was no longer the person his parent's raised him to be.

“Hey, look at me. You don't live under my house anymore. You've earned the right to look me in the eyes.” Taylor's father says with a stern voice. He lifts Taylor's chin up to look up at him, but Taylor closes his eyes. He begins to sniffle and tears begin to come out of his eyes.

“Don't… don't say that. I'm you're kid. I'll always be your kid…” Taylor says as the tears begin to stream out of his eyes.

Taylor's dad laughs. “I see you've had a hard couple months.” Taylor's dad says as he lifts Taylor's chin again. “Kid, look at me. I said look at me. Be a man.” He says with that stern voice.

Taylor struggles to open his eyes through the tears.

“Kid, listen to me. Listen closely.” Taylor's dad says in a commanding voice. “No matter how hard these last few months were, no matter the choices you made or the sacrifices you made… You have to know. Your heart decided everything in a moment. It recognized what it was and it did what it thought was best for you. You might not realize it, but eventually these insecurities will fade, and you'll see that the choices you made were for the man who you wanted to be. Do you understand?” Taylor’s dad says before asking. “I'm asking you a question, kid. Do you understand?” He asks again.

Taylor sniffles before answering. “I understand.” He says with a meek voice.

“Good.” Taylor’s dad says before giving him a pat on the head. “You're still young kid. While you're still ignorant, continue to push. For everything, for anything. The world waits for no one.” Taylor’s dad says with a smile. If he had to say so, for some reason, he felt some pride in this situation.

…

…

“Yo. Let's meet for some coffee. Let's play some catch up.” Taylor says with a smile.

“Yeah, I got time. Come pick me up. I want to see your ride.” Connor says in a jovial voice over the phone.

“Awesome. I'll see you soon.” Taylor says with a smile.

…

…

“Just a coffee for me. Black, please.” Taylor says with a friendly demeanor.

“The same.” Connor says with a raised finger.

“I'll be right back with your order.” The waitress says with a smile as she picks up the menus and leaves the table.

“How have you been?” Taylor asks.

“Good. Good. I'm starting the co-operative part of the program soon.” Connor says, speaking casually. “After that, I'm set man. Smooth sailing. Unless my dad sends me to business school. Which would be a chore.” Connor says, unable to hold in a smile. If he was to say so, he lived a pretty blessed life. The road was paved and all he had to do was walk forward.

“Awesome. How's it going with Lily?” Taylor asks, continuing the small talk.

“She's great. I think ugh… I think I might settle down with her.” Connor says, his smile beaming.

“You lucky dog. I wish you the best.” Taylor says honestly.

“Thanks man. I think she's worth it.” Connor says with some consideration.

“I'm glad man. Wife is set. Job is set. No worries. Only life and love. Sounds like the dream, my dude.” Taylor says as he raises his cup of water. “To life, my brother.” He says with a smile.

“To life.” Connor says, clinking his glass of water against Taylor's.