The Road to Hell

Chapter 9

David insisted on throwing Farid a welcome back party the day he arrived at the estate. His weak protests were drowned by the enthusiastic back slaps and the last-minute dinner reservation. "I got us a booth at Pepe's," David said. "You know how hard it is to get a table there. Come on!" And so, Farid gave up and let the others celebrate the first "flesh wound" of his military career. Jacqueline called a few promiscuous friends of hers and a limousine picked everyone up that evening. Armin ended up passing out, stone drunk; David practically had two of the girls eating out of his hand, and Farid got what was most likely a pity fuck from a girl that was trying to hit on Tanner until he and Jackie disappeared partway through the night.

She left before he woke up the next morning. He couldn't remember her name.

He went down to the kitchen to fix himself some breakfast and found David and Joshua there, sharing a pizza. "Had a good night?" David asked as he entered the room.

"I was second-choice to Tanner, and that's probably only because Armin was out cold. She left without saying good bye," he said.

Joshua failed to suppress his snarky little chuckle.

"Ouch," David said pretending to look sympathetic, an expression he'd never quite got the hang of.

"Shut up," Farid said, and then looked at Joshua. "What are you laughing at? You're like five years old, Joshy. Girls still have cooties to you."

"Actually, I'm ten, and I know all about girls," he flatly stated.

"He's a natural," David said with a wink. "Reminds me of me."

But Joshua shook his head with distaste. "I know all about girls. Doesn't mean I waste my time with them."

"Wise words, little man. Remember that when your balls drop," Farid warned. Then he turned to David. "I'm gonna go for a glide, get some air, you know?"

"Yeah, the wingsuits are in the garage. And Farid..." David paused, searching for the right words. "Sorry about that whole thing at dinner. I kinda stole your thunder, and I didn't mean to."

"It's nothing new," he said. "We're good, man." Farid left the brothers alone and David turned back to Joshua.

"So what were we talking about again?"

"School. The future," Joshua said.

"Right. Any ideas?"

"I'm in a special program; I'm taking high school courses now, and I should be finished my first undergrad by the time I'm fourteen. Then I'll work on a doctorate. I just don't know what."

"Then you'll sign up for officer training."

Joshua nodded. It was the family tradition. Every man in the Stern family served at least one term in the League since the organization formed in the twenty-second century. "I'm not totally sure what I'll do, but I've been playing Eternal Empire a lot lately, and I know I could make a good general one day. I might get into politics when I'm older. Or maybe join Jackie at the company."

David wiped his hands, pleased with the meal. "I know you'll succeed at anything you put your mind to, Joshy... err... Joshua."

His brother looked at him. "You can call me Josh."

"Will do," David promised. "You grew up fast."

The boy shrugged. "It only seems that way because you're hardly home." He wasn't accusing him. It was just how things were.

"Well, you know I love you, kid."

Joshua smiled, and it reminded David of when he was just a toddler. "The feeling's mutual. It's just that us men don't express it much," the boy said with a wink.