Family Ties — читать онлайн бесплатно полностью

Danny and Sabrina said goodbye a little before lunch. Rich and Terry drove them to the airport and then continued to their own house in Coronado. Christy and I were the last to leave.

“Birdy,” her father said as we finished lunch, “do you mind if I talk to Paul before you go?”

My eyebrows shot up. What a difference a few days made.

“Don’t take long, dear,” Anne said. “You know how traffic is on the I-5.”

“We should have plenty of time.” He nodded for me to join him in his office. “Little early for whiskey,” he said.

“The sun’s over the yardarm, but…”

“Still a little early,” I finished for him.

“Right.” He sat in one of the armchairs and gestured to the other. “You know I don’t like to beat around the bush, so I’ll get right to the point.”

“Just Harold. You’ve earned it.”

“Thank you… Harold.”

He actually grinned. And then he seemed to change thoughts midstream.

“Are you sure you won’t reconsider the Navy? I know the man who’s in charge of recruiting on the east coast. He could guarantee you Aviation.

If you pass all the tests, that is. Which I’m sure you would. And you already have your private license, don’t you?”

“Hear me out. The Navy needs men like you, son. I couldn’t help your career directly, but I know all the right doors to open. And I’ll be honest, I’d feel a whole lot better if Birdy was dating a military man.” He gave me a searching look. “Will you at least think about it?”

“I’ll… think about it,” I said. It was the least I could do.

He went to the desk and took out a Filofax.

When he returned he handed me a note with a name and phone number.

“Here you go. You don’t have to make a decision right now.” He returned

to his chair. “You graduate a year from June?”

“Two years. Architecture’s a five-year program.”

“Wait,” he said suddenly. “Is it a BA or a BS?”

“Neither. It’s a Bachelor of Architecture.”

“Hmm. You might need a waiver.” He glanced toward his Filofax and started to rise.

“Sir… Harold… stop.” I paused to gather my thoughts. “You’ve put me in an awkward position…”

He sank back to his chair and said with a touch of sarcasm, “Where have I heard that before?”

“Well, think about it.

You’re my girlfriend’s father, and…”

“You want to make me happy.”

I nodded. The man didn’t get to where he was on good looks alone.

“So it’d be easy to tell me what I want to hear,” he added.

“Much easier than what I’m doing now.”

“You’re telling me you won’t even think about it?”

“This would mean changing my entire life’s plan.