Retrospective ~TW~

Chapter 17

Arriving at an Italian restaurant not far from the track and get lead to the table that was reserved under Toto's name. It was a small booth towards the back of the restaurant allowing us to have a little privacy for the evening.

I slide in first, Toto coming in next to me, Rose and Ben sliding in from the other direction. The waiter gives us a menu and we begin to browse through.

"I can't decide. Everything sounds so nice." Rose says beside me, her voice soft as she continues to read through the menu. I had to agree with her, everything on the menu sounded delightful.

"We could always get a couple of plates and share? That way we get to try different dishes." I suggest, continuing to look through the menu and we all begin to decide on which dish we want to try.

Toto orders, rattling off a number of dishes for us and letting them know that we are sharing so they will give us empty plates to use. The waiter quickly dives off and returns with a bottle of wine and pours Toto and I a glass. He then gives Ben and Rosie their drinks and leaves us to our conversation.

"Have you thought about what you want to do after school?" He directs at Ben but I know the question is also open to Rose to answer. Ben shrugs a little, unsure of what to focus on in the world of endless career choices.

"I have a little bit." He answers and looks up at Toto who is smiling warmly at his son. Toto's kids never grew up without much, but him and Stephanie did an amazing job at ensuring that they were raised with the respect of money. It was clear that he wanted them to be something of themselves. "I was thinking medicine. Being a doctor would be cool."

I raise my eyebrows at his admission, knowing the dedication and commitment it takes to become a doctor. Toto looks taken back a little, not truly expecting his son to come out with that revelation. I smile at him proudly.

"I think when you are looking for a career, you have to find your passion." I chime in, wanting to provide them with a different perspective. "Look at your dad for example, he loved racing and when being a driver was no longer realistic, he retired, spent a couple years in finance and then combined his two passions to make his career."

"But how do you make money from every passion." Ben asks, all eyes around the table were now on me. I shrug my shoulders and look between the two kids across from me. I smiled at them when I decided on my answer.

"It won't happen overnight, but everything has the potential to make money if you work hard and are truly passionate about it." It was the truth but I wasn't going to sugar coat adulthood for them. The waiter arrives and begins placing down the dishes. We serve up our plates and begin eating.

Ben looks over at me and waves his hand, signalling he wants to say something once he has finished this mouthful. He visibly swallows and places his fork down. "Whats your passion?" He questions.

"I am still finding my true passion in life." I admit. "I am currently investing in a lot of companies who are improving the environment. Things like solar panel companies, car companies making electric vehicles, sustainable battery producers."

"What made you want to invest in that?" Rose speaks up and looks at me, her head slightly tilted to portray her curiosity in the topic that I was discussing."Global warming?" She follows up.

"A little bit, but mostly the fact that there is a way for households and families to power their houses and cars in a sustainable way, but it's just not easily accessible. My investments are making these things more affordable for the average household."

Ben finishes his mouthful and looks between his father and myself. His expression is relaxed but holds a glimmer in his eye. "That is cool though, that you are invested in improving other peoples lives. Would you ever start a company?"