Leo had many regrets from his life choices. He wondered how his life might have turned out if he had made different choices, but then maybe he wouldn’t have had his sons. He had been foolish to sneak out at night to go to war as a teen. He had been ashamed to return home and it had cost him dearly. His father had died before he had the courage to return and his mother was sick. He had refused to leave his job and move with his wife, Sarah. He had worked long hours, leaving Oliver on his own much of the time.

Oliver, Leo didn’t even know where he was. Oliver knew that Leo did not approve of his life choices. Oliver would occasionally call or send a postcard. He seemed to move around a lot.

Now it was just Leo and Todd. Todd was lonely. June must have sensed it because she had begun inviting them to dinner at least once a week.

Todd was pretty quiet at first. He was used to a small, quiet household. At June’s there was constant chatter and activity. He felt most at ease with Heidi. They had both lost their mothers. She was full of questions about his new job as police officer.

After a couple of months of dinner with June’s family, Todd asked Heidi to lunch. They began to spend as much time together as they could. Heidi would sometimes bring Todd lunch at work. He would stop by after work and they would walk around the park.

While Todd loved his new career, Daniel was not too happy with his. Daniel was in college and working part time with his father. He enjoyed neither. Daniel had never been much of a student. He hadn’t wanted to go to college, but he knew it was expected of him. He would stay up late writing papers at the last minute or cram for a test.

He met Rick his first year of college in his economics class. Rick was outgoing and a bit pushy. He always knew where the party was at. He noticed Daniel falling asleep in class and nudged him. Daniel told him that he had stayed up until two working on his paper.

“I have something that will help,”Rick told him. That’s how Daniel got started taking pills. His first semester he used them sparingly, but as school went on, Daniel began taking more and more. He didn’t think he would be able to get through school without them. When school was done he would quit. It was no big deal. Lots of college students used them. At least, that’s what Rick said.

Daniel, also, dreaded going to work. He found the office boring. He was often late. His father lectured him about applying himself.

He envied his younger brothers. Kendall seemed to be good at most things. He was athletic, smart, and good with girls. Eric was carefree. School seemed easy for him and he had inherited his mother’s artistic talent.

Daniel would hear his father speaking to Todd about his work. He could hear the respect in his voice when Todd told him about his new promotion. Ken praised him for his drive and patted him on the back.

Todd smiled. His life was going better than he imagined. He was making decent money now that he had gotten a couple of promotions. He had been dating Heidi for two years and was smitten. He would be able to provide for a family.

He asked to talk to Ken privately.

“Heidi means the world to me. I think I can give her a good life. I want nothing more than to make her happy. I’m asking for your permission to ask Heidi to be my wife,” Todd said blushing.

“Son, welcome to the family, even more so,” Ken patted him on the back.

Todd took Heidi out to dinner. They took a walk at their favorite park and Todd proposed as the stars twinkled in the sky. Heidi’s face lit up as she accepted.

Heidi shared the news with her family and they congratulated her.

Francine was not too happy. She had stopped teasing Heidi, but she would often give her unwanted advice or boss her around. She sighed at the news and plopped in the rocking chair.

“I was supposed to get married first. I’m the oldest girl,” Francine whined.

Francine continued to pout the next week.

“Heidi, since you insist on getting married first,”Francine said,”it’s only right that I get to have the first baby. You can’t have everything. My father is walking you down the aisle first. The least you could do is let me have the first grandchild. It would mean so much to me. Thanks, Heidi.”

Francine got up and walked away without waiting for a reply.

“I hope you and Heidi have a wonderful life together. I couldn’t ask for a better son,” Leo said wiping a tear from his eye.

The honeymoon was lovely. The couple was sad to leave and excited to start their new life together.