Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 105734 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105734 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
CHAPTER 11
FRANKIE
“Frankie, can I have a minute?” My father asks, startling me on my way out the door.
I’ve got my backpack in one hand, with my laptop, charging cables, snacks, and a bottle of water. I’m on my way to the library where I think I can get some studying done. There’s also a small chance I’ll run into Sofia again, which I’m looking forward to.
“Sure,” I agree, because there’s only one answer to any of my father’s questions. If he says “jump,” you’re supposed to ask, “How high?” If he asks you a yes or no question, the answer he’s looking for is invariably “yes.”
“Come into my office,” Dad says, leading the way down the hall.
I glance at the door, lamenting not having left sooner. I know I should be grateful for everything my father’s position has afforded me. I have enough food to eat, water to drink, and a fantastic living situation. But my favorite time of day is any time I can get outside these four walls. It looks like that won’t be happening anytime soon. When Dad asks me into his office, there’s usually an entire agenda, or a lecture. I can’t decide which is worse.
I follow him dutifully and set my things down on one of the two chairs facing his desk. I take a seat on the other chair, waiting to hear what he has to say. He closes the door, and I wonder why we’re alone. Usually, he has a bodyguard sitting in, or Uncle Gio. I’m not sure if privacy is a good thing or a bad thing this time.
“Where are you off to?” Dad asks, circling the desk.
“I thought I would go to the library to study,” I say.
“You’re studying a lot lately,” Dad observes.
“Do you want to know the truth?” I ask him.
“Yes,” he answers.
“The sample questions for the bar exam are complicated. There’s a lot of case law I need to know. And more than that, I must prove that I can apply the case law to a new situation.” I study his reaction carefully. Ordinarily, I would assume that I was boring him by now, but he doesn’t look bored. He’s giving me space to answer the entire question and listening like a concerned father should.
“I’m sure you’ll do fine,” he replies after a moment passes.
“I just don’t want to walk into the room and blank out,” I say, revealing some of my insecurities.
“I think you need to relax,” he says. I translate that to mean he has something else planned for me today.
“Okay,” I agree.
“You don’t want to burn out on studying,” he continues.
“Right,” I say. I can’t tell what’s on his mind, so I’m forced to wait patiently for him to reveal his agenda. In the meantime, there is no way I’m going to anger him by refusing to cooperate. If he wants me to take a break today, that’s fine. I’ve already done enough studying.
“I’m really proud of all the effort you put into becoming a lawyer,” Dad says.
My heart pounds inside my chest. This is getting dangerously close to something like affection. I know my father loves me, but he doesn’t express it often. I don’t want to move or breathe, for fear that his moment might evaporate. I wait to hear what he says next, knowing that it comes from a good place.
“I’d like you to become more involved in the family business,” Dad continues.
My eyes close like a camera lens refocusing. A thousand emotions hit me at once. There is terror; I don’t want to be more involved in the family business. Pride fills me because I’m glad my father considers me worthy. There is disappointment because I don’t know what this will mean for my blossoming relationship with Sofia. And there is anxiety because I’m not sure if I will be any good in the role.
“What were you thinking?” I ask, trying to be tactful. I don’t want him to know that I’m so conflicted, but I need more information.
“I’d like you to spend some more time with Gio,” Dad replies.
“Okay,” I agree rapidly. I like Uncle Gio. To some people, he can seem intimidating, but to me, he’s always been a teddy bear.
“He can walk you through a typical day,” Dad explains. “I’d like you to get out there and meet some of our…assets.”
I’m not sure what he means by assets. I’ve met tons of people who are in business with my father, both legitimately and illegitimately. I’ve met politicians and police officers who are probably on the take. I’ve met famous movie stars and sports figures who were eager to prove their loyalty to my father. So, what does he mean by ‘assets’?
I decide to chance asking the question, since I’m obviously not getting out of this room soon. “What do you mean by assets?”