il capo ( the boss )

“i never got to meet my birth mom. she died the day i was born, but i feel like she would have been a really good mom. my dad says i was planned and that i came at just the right time,” she said. “my family is embarrassing --- but i love them for it. my dad never got remarried but the woman we live with has been like my mom since i was eight, so i gained a mom, a little brother, and a grandmother all at once. they’re amazing. i wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

sam nodded. “i’m thankful that he does. my friends from school’s dads weren’t as involved as mine is. it’s probably different situations, but i know how it is to not have a parent around. i wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy,” she said.

“nah, my chances are pretty much blown. without a scholarship, it’s expensive as hell to go to school, let alone be on a sports team. and i’m a girl. as sad as it is, they wouldn’t put me on a baseball team anyways. they’d force me into softball. plus, i like teaching kids new things, so i feel like being a teacher is the right path. i can always come up with a backup plan if it doesn’t work out.”

“kudos to you --- i don’t think i could ever be a lawyer. sure, i argue --- but that’s just with my little brother. i used to want to be a pro baseball player like my dad, but i didn’t get a scholarship for any of the sports i played, so i just... kinda gave up on it. i’m saving up to go back to school to become a teacher.”

“that’s how i was. i liked school, i was good at it. i wasn’t amazing at it though. i got mostly b’s, but i feel like i could have applied myself more to get those a’s.”

“dad! oh my gosh --- what i talk about with mona is nothing you wanna hear about,” she said into her phone. “what guy? ...no! god, no --- i’m not having this conversation with you. with mona, yes. you? no. listen, i just got off work so i’m gonna head back home in a little bit. i’ll call later tonight or tomorrow, and i’ll call angela and i’ll talk to jonathan... yeah. i know. i love you too, daddy...” sam let out a small breath as she ended the call, pushing her hair out of her face. “he’s intrusive --- but i miss him more than anything,” she said with a small smile, staring down at her home screen, which was a picture of her and her dad from a trip back in fairfield a few weeks ago.

“i feel you. i feel like all i did in high school was homework and studying. i kinda miss it.”